Blood vessels and nerves

Question 1

Which part of the nervous system controls the gut?

Answer 1

Autonomic nervous system

Question 2

What are the two types of reflexes that control gut function?

Answer 2

Long (parasympathetic) reflexes
- go all the way from the CNS to the gut
Short (enteric) reflexes
- entirely contained within the gut itself

Question 3

Describe parasympathetic activity in alimentary function

Answer 3

Vagus (X) nerve (except salivation which is controlled by the facial (VII) and glossopharyngeal (IX) nerves)

Stimulatory: increases secretion and motility

Question 4

Describe sympathetic activity in alimentary function

Answer 4

Splanchic nerve (near organs)

Inhibitory: decreases secretion and motility
(Except salivation: stimulatory to salivation but produces a different quality of saliva)

Question 5

Which arteries supply the foregut, midgut and hindgut?

Answer 5

Foregut: Coeliac trunk
Midgut: Superior mesentary artery
Hindgut: Inferior mesentary artery

Question 6

Which veins drain the stomach, pancreas, midgut and hindgut?

Answer 6

Stomach: Gastric vein
Pancreas: Splenic vein
Midgut: Superior mesenteric vein
Hindgut: Inferior mesenteric vein

Question 7

Describe the hepatic portal system: what is the difference between the hepatic artery, the hepatic portal vein and the hepatic vein?

Answer 7

Hepatic artery supplies the liver itself
Hepatic portal vein drains deoxygentated but nutrient-rich blood from the organs (stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen) into the liver to be processed
Hepatic vein drains all blood from the liver into the IVC

Question 8

Which three main veins converge to form the portal vein?

Answer 8

Gastric
Splenic
Superior mesenteric

Question 9

List the tributaries of the splenic vein

Answer 9

Short gastric veins
Left gastroepiploic vein
Pancreatic veins
Inferior mesenteric vein

Question 10

List the tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein

Answer 10

Right gastroepiploic vein
Pancreatoduodenal vein
Jejunal and ileal veins
Right colic vein
Middle colic vein

Question 11

Give two tributaries of the inferior meseteric vein

Answer 11

Left colic vein

Superior rectal vein

Question 12

Which veins drain into the vena cava without passing through the portal system?

Answer 12

Common iliac veins
Lumbar veins
Renal veins
Right testicular/ovarian vein (left drains into left renal)
Right suprarenal vein (left drains into left renal)
Inferior phrenic veins
(hepatic veins - carry blood from portal system to IVC)

Question 13

Where does the portal vein arise?

Answer 13

Behind the pancreas

Question 14

How many suprarenal arteries/veins are there?

Answer 14

Three:

• superior
• middle
• inferior