Chapter 11 Flashcards
How long is the small bowel?
What is its major function?
8 m
Absorb nutrients
What are the three sections, and how long is each section?
Duodenum- 40 cm
Jejunum- 200 cm
Ileum- 300 cm
How are the jejunum and ileum covered and anchored?
Covered by visceral peritoneum and tethered to posterior anterior wall by a mesentery
Duodenal bulb
Superior to the pancreatic head and anterior to the gastroduodenal artery and common bile duct
Position and blood supply of the duodenal bulb
Intraperitoneal position
Blood supply from the supraduodenal branch of the hepatic artery and the gastroduodenal artery
The duodenal bulb is the site of _____ of duodenal ulceration
90%
Position of the second part of the duodenum
Borders the head of the pancreas
Retroperitoneal
Position of the third part of the duodenum
Retroperitoneal, coursing between the SMA and the aorta
From where do the second and third portions of the duodenum receive their blood supply?
From the anteriosuperior and posterosuperior pancreaticoduodenal branches of the gastroduodenal artery and anterioinferior and posteroinferior pancreaticoduodenal branches of the superior mesenteric artery
Where does the fourth portion of the duodenum receive its blood supply?
First jejunal branch of the superior mesenteric artery
What is an anatomic landmark for the transition between the duodenum and the jejunum?
The ligament of Treitz
How is the small bowel differentiated?
By the valvulae conniventes, circular folds of mucosa and submucosa that markedly increase absorptive surface area
What is the difference between the jejunum and ileum?
The messenteric vessels of the jejunum form only one or two arterial arcades and send out long vasa recta
The ileum contains multiple arterial arcades that give off short vasa recta
From where do the ileum and jejunum derive their blood supply?
From the superior mesenteric artery and venous drainage via the superior mesenteric vein
What are the four layers of the bowel wall from inside to outside?
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis
Serosa
How can the mucosa be further divided?
Muscularis
Lamina propria
Epithelium
Muscularis
A thin layer of the muscle separating the mucosa from the submucosa
Lamina propria
A continuous layer of connective tissue between the muscularis and epithelium, serves as a supportive base for the villi and a protective barrier against microorganisms
What is one type of cells residing in the lamina propria?
Cells of the immune system, including Peyer’s patches (aggregates of lymphoid tissue containing immune cells)
Epithelium
Villi and crypts of Lieberkuln
Functions as digestion, absorption, cell renewal, and secretion of hormones
What is the purpose of the submucosa?
Support and strength layer
Contains blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves
What is the muscularis (general layer)?
An inner circular and an outer longitudinal layer
What is sandwiched between the muscularis layers?
Ganglion cells that constitute the myenteric (Auerbach) plexus
What is the serosa composed of?
Flattened mesothelial cells
How is pain mediated?
Through visceral afferent fibers of the sympathetic nervous system
Sympathetic innervation
3 sympathetic ganglia are located around the base of the superior mesenteric artery and control blood vessel tone and to a lesser extent gut secretory function and motility
Parasympathetic innervation
Parasympathetic nerve fibers are derived form the vagus nerve and primarily regulate gut secretory function and motility
What is one of the most common pathologic processes affecting the small bowel?
Obstruction
What are the most common causes of obstruction?
Adhesion (result of >60%)
Hernias
Tumors
What appear to be associated with a higher incidence of adhesive obstruction?
Lower abdominal and pelvic operations (appendectomy and adnexal procedures)