Digestive System & Introduciton To Pharmacology Flashcards
What is digestion
Process whereby large complex food substances are broken into simple substances that can be easily
Gastrointestinal tract
Continuous tube, mouth to anus, 10m long hollow, passes through thorax, abdomens and pelvis
What are the walls in the gastrointestinal tract called
Mucosa, mucosa and glands, submucosa, muscularis, serosa
What is part of mucosa
Epithelial tissue cells replaced due to wear
Squamous cells
Columnar cells
What is part of submucosa
Loose connective tissue
Nerves, blood lymph vessels
Blood supply nourishes tissues absorbs products of digestion
Elastic fibres enable stomach to regain its shape after large meal
What is part of muscularis?
Smooth muscular circular and longitudinal
Circular muscle forms sphincters
Coorindated contraction results in peristalsis
What is part of serosa
Outer coat
• Loose fibrous tissue
• Contains nerves, blood and lymph vessels
• Main function is protection
What are the 3 parts of the stomach
Fundus, body and antrum
Gastric mucosa contains specialised cells such as…
Goblet - mucus to cost and protect stomach lining
Parietal - hydrochloride acid to kill pathogens and intrinsic factor for absorption
G cells = hormone gastric to regulate gastric secretions
Explain the function of pancreas
Has endocrine (blood glucose homeostasis) functions it also has exocrine functions which is secretion of pancreatic juice to aid digestion
Pancreatic juices contain proteases (proteins), amylase (carbs), lipases (fats), nucleuses (nucleic acids)
Features of the small intestine
Folds to increase SA, villi and microvilli and help absorption of food molecules
Good blood supply
Gastric juices to neutralise chyme producing an optimum environment
Functions of the large intestine
Absorption of water and electrolytes
Storage and elimination of faeces
Bacteria digestion some polysaccharides
Bacteria produce vitamins K and B
