Digestive Part I Flashcards
What are the 6 Basic Processes for Digestion?
- Ingestion
- Secretion
- Mixing & Propulsion
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Defecation
Digestion begins where & with what two mechanisms?
In the MOUTH
via Mechanical & Chemical Digestion
Mechanical Digestion is accomplished by & creates what?
Mastication
- Food is reduced to a “BOLUS” (easily swallowed mass)
- Saliva begins to dissolve food
Chemical Digestion is accomplished by?
Enzymes secreted in the mouth
Name the enzymes secreted in the mouth.
Salivary Amylase
Lingual Lipase
Characteristics of Salivary Amylase.
- Initiates breakdown of carbohydrates
- Chloride ion: activated in the mouth in saliva
- Stomach acid deactivates
Characteristics of Lingual Lipase.
- Initiates breakdown of lipids (TAGs)
- Activated in the stomach via stomach acid
From the mouth food passes into what when swallowed?
Pharynx
Characteristics of Pharynx.
- Funnel-shaped tube
- Extends from internal nares to esophagus
- Composed of skeletal muscle
- Lined with mucous membrane
What are the three parts of the Pharynx?
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Hypo/Laryngopharynx
What part/s of the Pharynx functions in only Respiration?
Nasopharynx
What part/s of the Pharynx function in digestion & respiration?
Oropharynx
Hypo/Laryngopharynx
What specific parts of the pharynx does food pass through when swallowed?
Oropharynx (1st)
Laryngopharynx (2nd)
Characteristics of the Esophagus.
- Collapsible muscular tube
- Usually 10” long
- Lies posterior to the trachea
Esophagus begins where, passes through what structures, & ends where?
Begins: Inferior end of hypo/laryngopharynx
Passes: Through inferior portion of neck, enters mediastinum, & pierces the diaphragm
Ends: Superior portion of stomach
What is the name of the area the esophagus pierces the diaphragm?
Esophageal Hiatus
What is a hiatal hernia?
Portion of the stomach that herniates through the esophageal hiatus
Name the layers (histology) of the Esophagus. (Superficial to lumen)
- Adventitia
- Muscularis
- Submucosa
- Mucosa (3 layers)
What role does the Adventitia layer of the Esophagus play?
Attaches esophagus to surrounding structures
Describe the Muscularis layer.
Superior 1/3 esophagus is skeletal muscle
Middle 1/3 esophagus is skeletal transitioning to smooth muscle
Inferior 1/3 esophagus is smooth muscle
What is contained in the Submucosa Layer of the Esophagus?
Areolar connective tissue
Blood Vessels
Mucous Glands
What are the 3 layers of the Mucosa layer of the Esophagus?
Muscularis mucosae (smooth muscle) Lamina propria (areolar connective tissue) Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium
What benefit is derived from having Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium lining the lumen of the Esophagus?
Considerable protection against abrasion from food particles
What occurs at each end of the esophagus involving the Muscularis layer?
Muscularis layer thickens forming a sphincters
What is the name and function of the most superior sphincter of the Esophagus?
Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES):
- Skeletal Muscle
- Regulates movement of food from hypopharynx to esophagus
What is the name & function of the inferior sphincter of the Esophagus?
Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES):
- Smooth Muscle
- Regulates movement of food from esophagus to stomach
Name the different aspects of the physiology of the Esophagus.
- Secretes Mucous (Protective Function)
- Transports food to the stomach
- Does NOT produce Digestive Enzymes
- Does NOT participate in Absorption
What is Deglutition?
The Act of Swallowing
(Movement of food from the mouth into the stomach)
What is involved in the process of Deglutition?
Facilitated by secretion of saliva & mucous
Involves: Mouth, Pharynx, Esophagus
What are the Stages of Deglutition?
- Voluntary Stage
- Pharyngeal Stage
- Esophageal Stage
What is occurring during the voluntary stage of deglutition?
- Swallowing starts when bolus is forced to back of oral cavity
- Bolus travels backward toward the oropharynx by the movement of the tongue upward & backward against the palate
What is occurring during the Pharyngeal Stage of deglutition?
- Bolus moves into oropharynx then through hypo/laryngopharynx & into esophagus
- Bolus stimulates receptors which send impulses to deglutition center in medulla & lower pons
- Nerve impulses cause soft palate & uvula to move upward to close off nasopharynx
- Impulses cause epiglottis to close off larynx
- Bolus moves through oropharynx & hypo/laryngopharynx
What is occurring during the Esophageal Stage of deglutition?
- Begins once bolus enters esophagus
- Peristalsis pushes bolus onward to stomach
How long does it take for solid or semisolid food to travel from mouth to stomach?
4-8 Seconds
How long does it take liquids to travel from mouth to stomach?
1 Second
What are the layers of the GI Tract from lower esophagus to anal canal?
Serosa or Adventitia
Muscularis
Submucosa
Mucosa
The Serosa Layer is found on all parts of the GI except where?
Esophagus
Proximal Portion of Duodenum (closest to stomach)
What is the Serosa layer composed of?
-Areolar connective tissue & simple squamous epithelium (Mesothelium)
What is another name in which the Serosa Layer?
Visceral Peritoneum
What is the Adventitia layer composed of?
Single layer of connective tissue for esophagus & proximal duodenum
What is significant of the Muscularis Layer?
Skeletal Muscle: Voluntary
Smooth Muscle: Involuntary
Where is the voluntary skeletal muscle found?
Mouth, pharynx, superior aspect of esophagus
External anal sphincter
What is significant of the involuntary smooth muscle layer?
- Contains Myenteric Plexus (Plexus of Auerbach)
- Contraction help mix & propel food forward break it down
- Two layers: Inner circular, outer longitudinal
What is the Myenteric Plexus (Plexus of Auerback)?
Network of neurons between the circular & Longitudinal muscle layers
What does the submucosa layer consist of?
- Areolar connective tissue (binds mucosa to Muscularis)
- Blood & Lymph Vessels that receive absorbed food moleules
- Contains Submucosal Plexus (Plexus of Meissner)
How many layers is the Mucosa Layer of the GI Tract consist of?
3 Layers
Name the layers of the Mucosa Layer of the GI Tract from outer to inner?
- Muscularis Mucosae
- Lamina Propria
- Epithelium
What are the characteristics of the Muscularis Mucosae?
- Thin Layer smooth muscle fibers
- Causes the mucous membrane of small intestine & stomach to have the folded appearance
- Folds increase surface area for digestion & absorption
- Movement ensures all absorptive cells are fully exposed to contents
What are the characteristics of the Lamina Propria?
- Areolar connective tissue containing blood & lymphatic vessels (allow nutrients to reach tissues)
- Supports epithelium & binds to Muscularis mucosae
- CONTAINS majority of MALT
What does MALT stand for?
Mucosa-associated Lymphatic Tissue
What is MALT?
-Lymphatic nodular tissue contains immune cells that protect against disease
Where is MALT especially present?
Tonsils
Small Intestine
Appendix
Large Intestine
What are the characteristics of the Mucosa Layer?
- Nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells
- Simple Columnar cells
- Exocrine Cells
- Enteroendocrine Cells
Where is the Nonkeratinized stratified squamous cells found & what is it’s function?
Mouth Pharynx Esophagus Anal Canal -Protective Function
Where is the Simple Columnar cells found & function?
Stomach
Intestines
-Secretion & Absorption
-Tight junctions between cells prevent leakage
What is the function of the Exocrine Cells?
Secrete mucous & fluid into lumen
What is the function of the Enteroendocrine cells?
Secrete hormones into lumen
Name the Neural innervation of the GI Tract?
Intrinsic Nerves (Enteric nervous system) Extrinsic Nerves (Autonomic Nervous System)
What are the characteristics of the ENS?
- “Brain” of the gut
- 100,000,000 neurons esophagus to anus
- Myenteric (Auerback) Plexus
- Submucosal Plexus (Plexus of Meissner)
Where is the Myenteric (Auerbach) Plexus located?
Between Longitudinal & Circular Smooth Muscle Layers of the Muscularis
Where is the Submucosal Plexus (plexus of Meissner) located?
Submucosa