chapter 25 - Digestive system Flashcards
Digestive system
digestive tract (alimentary canal) and accessory organs (Fig 25.1) • digestive tract includes: oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine • accessory organs = teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver and pancreas
Functions of digestive systems
• processing of food
o ingestion = entry of food and liquids into digestive tract via the oral cavity
o mechanical processing = physical breakdown of ingested substances
tongue (squishing), teeth (tearing, grinding), and propulsive motion of digestive tract (mixing, swirling and churning)
o digestion = chemical and enzymatic breakdown of macromolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, protein) into units that can be absorbed
o secretion = acids, enzymes and buffers released by lining of digestive tracts and accessory organs
o absorption = movement of organic molecules, electrolytes, vitamins and water across digestive epithelium and into interstitial fluid of digestive tract
o excretion = movement of waste products into digestive tract – primarily via liver
o compaction = progressive dehydration of indigestible materials and organic wastes forming feces
o defecation = elimination of feces from the body
defense against
o corrosive effects of digestive acids and enzymes
o mechanical stresses – e.g. abrasion
o pathogens
how many layers
• 4 major layers with variations along tract related to specific functions of each organ
• Mucosa
= inner lining
o mucous membrane
– loose (areolar) connective tissue covered by epithelium moistened by glandular secretion
epithelium = simple columnar or non-keratinized stratified squamous depending on location
lamina propria = underlying layer of areolar tissue
• contains blood vessels, sensory nerve ending, lymphatic fibers, smooth muscle fibers and scattered mucosa associated lymphatic tissue (MLAT = leukocytes)
o plicae
organization of mucosa in certain areas into transverse or longitudinal folds
increase surface area for absorption
o muscularis mucosae
two thin concentric layers of smooth muscle below the lamina propria
contraction changes shape of lumen and plicae
separates mucosa from submucosa
• Submucosa
dense irregular connective tissue
o contains large blood vessels, lymphatics, and in some areas exocrine glands
o submucosal (Meissner’s) plexus
nerve network (with neuron cell bodies) along outer margin of submucosa action affects muscularis mucosae and glandular secretions
• Muscularis Externa
= layer dominated by smooth muscle fibers
o smooth muscle = small spindle-shaped cells (5-10 µm diameter, 30-200 µm length)
non-striated – contractile proteins not organized into sarcomeres, involuntary muscle
arranged in sheets, electrically connected by gap junctions
smooth muscle can be activated by
- motor neurons
- local chemicals, hormones, carbon dioxide or oxygen levels
- physical factors – stretching, irritation
- pacemaker cells – undergo spontaneous depolarizations
o movements produced
peristalsis = waves of muscular contraction that move bolus (small mass of food) along length of digestive tract
• circular smooth muscle contracts behind bolus, then longitudinal forcing bolus forward
segmentation = mediated mainly by circular smooth muscle contractions that move and churn but do not produce net movement in any particular direction
o myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus
plexus = nerve network
between inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers
parasympathetic activation increases muscular tone and stimulates contraction
sympathetic output inhibits muscular activity resulting in relaxation
myenteric reflexes = short reflexes that do not involve the central nervous system
o sphincters
= thickened areas of circular smooth muscle that act as valves
located in specific areas to prevent materials moving in wrong direction or from one area to the next at inappropriate times
• Serosa
visceral peritoneum - serous membrane that covers most of the outer wall of the digestive tract
o mesenteries
fused, double-sheets of peritoneum – visceral with parietal peritoneum
areolar connective tissue between allows access route for passage of blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics to and from digestive tract
stabilize relative positions of attached organs and prevents entanglement of intestines during digestive movements or sudden changes in body position
greater omentum =
large pouch of mesentery extends from inferior margin of stomach between body wall and anterior surface of small intestine
• loose connective tissue between layers contains thick layer of adipose tissue (Fig 25.10)
• may serve as energy reserve and insulator reducing heat loss across anterior abdominal wall
lesser omentum
= between stomach, proximal duodenum and liver
peritonitis = inflammation of peritoneal membrane that interferes with normal functioning of affected organs
• ascites = accumulation of fluid in peritoneal lining creates characteristic abdominal swelling
o areas not covered by serosa
adventitia - dense network of collagen fibers that attaches pharynx, esophagus and rectum to adjacent structures
Oral (Buccal) Cavity
• allows:
o analysis of material before swallowing
o mechanical processing of food
o lubrication by mixing mucous and salivary secretions
o limited digestion of carbohydrates
• oral cavity is lined by
oral mucosa
non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
o provides protection from abrasion
• lateral walls
cheeks – mucosa, buccal fat pads and buccinator muscles
• anterior border
labia (lips) and gingiva = ridge of oral mucosa
o vestibule = space between cheeks, lips and teeth