Brief intro to the GI tract Flashcards
What structures form the alimentary canal?
Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum (of colon), large intestine, anus
What are the general functions of the mouth?
◦ Physical breakdown of food
◦ Initial digestive enzymes released
◦ Infection control
What enzymes are released in the mouth?
Amylase and lipase
What is the general functions of the oesophagus?
Rapid transport of bolus to stomach through thorax
What sphincters are present in the oesophagus and what are there functions?
Upper oesophgeal sphincter prevents air from entering GI. Lower oesophageal sphincter prevents reflux into oesophagus
What are the general functions of the stomach?
◦ Storage facility ◦ To produce chyme --> Physical breakdown --> Chemical breakdown - proteases - acid helps unravel proteins for proteases to work on ◦ Infection control (HCL) ◦ Secrete intrinsic factor(Vit B12)
What is the importance of intrinsic factor and which cells is it secreted by?
Required for absorption of vitamin B12, secreted by parietal cells in the stomach
How many muscular layers does the stomach have and what are they?
Has 3 muscular layers instead of 2. Inner oblique, middle circular, outer longitudinal.
What is chyme?
A fluid that passes out from the stomach that consists of gastric secretions and partially digested food
What are the general functions of the duodenum?
Neuturalisation/osmotic stabilisation of chyme, digestion
What does the duodenum contain to help neutralise/osmotic stabilisation of chyme?
Hc03 rich scretions - from pancreas and liver
WHat are the different parts of the duodenum?
Superior duodenal flexure, descending part, horizontal part, ascending part.
Which part of the duodenum does the liver and pancreas connect to?
Second part (descending part) to deliver bile and pancreatic secretions into the gut tube
Why does water enter the duodenum?
Chyme is hypertonic as all the small molecules exert osmotic pressure which draws water in
What is present in the duodenum to help with digestion?
pancreatic secretions - enzymes
bile - emulsify fat
Where is the junction between foregut and midgut?
2nd part of duodenum where major pancreatic duct and common bile duct join the duodenum
What are the general functions of the jejunum/ileum?
◦ Final digestion ◦ Nutrient absorption ◦ Water/electrolyte absorption ◦ Bile recirculation ◦ B12 absorption
Where does the majority of digestion and nutrient absorption occur?
jejunum
where does the majority of water absorption occur?
ileum
- The colon absorbs the water that is hard to absorb.
where does bile recirculation occur?
ileum
where does B12 absorption occur?
terminal ileum
What feature of the jejunum help with nutrient absorption
rich in folds that increase surface area
What are the general functions of the large bowel?
◦ Final water absorption ◦ Temporary storage ◦ Final electrolyte absorption ◦ Some bile salt absorption ◦ Production of some SCFAs
Describe how the surface of large bowel is different to mall bowel?
large bowel has bacteria which forms a microbiome and is important for normal function and for general health
what is the function of the rectum/anus?
defecation - stretching of rectum as it fill gives the urge to defecate
What controls the gut?
◦ Autonomic nervous system (Parasympathetic and
sympathetic)
◦ Enteric nervous system
◦ Hormones and paracrine substances
What neurotransmitter is released from pre and postganglionic cells?
Pre: ACh from both parasympathetic and sympathetic.
Post: ACh(parasympathetic), neuropeptides, noradrenaline
What part of the nervous system is the main contributor to the digestive system?
Parasympathetic (rest and digest) on button
Where do pre and post ganglionic fibres synapse?
◦ The preganglionic fibre synapse with an autonomic ganglia outside the CNS
◦ Postganglionic fibre synapse on peripheral effector organs
Where do the cell bodies of the autonomic nervous system reside?
CNS
Which are the main nerves from the parasympathetic nervous system that contribute to the gut?
Vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) and Pelvic splanchnic nerves
What is the origin of the pelvic splanchnic nerves?
S2, S3, S4
What do postganglionic fibres of the parasympathetic system release?
ACh, Peptides (Gastrin releasing peptide, vasoinhibitory peptide)