Functions and secretion of the alimentary tract: part 1 Flashcards
food ingestion is stimulated by
Hunger = intrinsic for food
appetite= preferential of food
Mastication ( chewwing)
Teeth= designed for cutting (incisors) and grinding (molars) of food.
Muscles for chewing= controlled by nuclei in brain stem.
Stimulation of specific reticular areas (brain stem taste centers)
causes rhythmic chewing action.
what other stimulation causes chewing ?
hypothalamus
brain cerebral cortex
amygdala
mastication reflex
takes place in response to presence of reflex inhibition of mastication muscles (at first)→ lower
jaw drops→ initiates stretch reflex of jaw muscles→ rebound contraction→ automatically raises jaw→
closes teeth + compresses bolus against mouth linings→ inhibits jaw muscles again→ jaw drops→
rebound contraction again= process repeated again and again
mechanical digestion of all food
chewing
chemical digestive
digestive enzymes
initiation of the swallowing process.
voluntary stage
food bolus pushed and compressed by the tongue against the palate to the pharynx.
initiation of the swallowing process.
voluntary stage
food bolus pushed and compressed by the tongue against the palate to the pharynx.
pharyngeal stage( in the pharynx )
involuntary stage/ process
Bolus stimulates epithelial swallowing receptor areas in
the pharynx, and tonsillar pillars→ to send action potentials to the brain stem.
initiates a series of automatic pharyngeal muscular contractions.
soft palate will elavate and closes the posterior nares
to prevent food reflex intp the nasal cavity
palatopharyngeal folds
are pulled medially to form sagittal slit: selectively allow properly masticated food to pass.
function of epiglosttis
closes the larynx
elevation of the larynx ………………. and …………..
enlarges the oesophageal opening and upper oesophageal sphincter relaxes.
contration of the pharyngeal muscular wall= peristalsis propulsion of food into oesophagus.
Pharyngeal Stage of Swallowing Momentarily Interrupts Respiration:
last for 6 seconds
Swallowing center inhibits respiratory center of the medulla during this
time (within the 6 secs period)
Esophageal Stage of Swallowing involves 2 Types of Peristalsis:
primary and secondary perilstalisis.
primary peristalsis.
begins in the pharynx and terminates in the stomach.
last about 8-10 seconds in an upright person.
last about 6-8 secs due to gravitational force.
secondary peristalsis.
when primary peristalsis fails, secondary peristalsis wave results from distention of oesophagus by retained food.
Secondary peristalsis initiated by:
a) Intrinsic neural circuits in myenteric nervous system
b) Pharyngeal reflexes transmitted upward through vagal afferent fibers to medulla and back to esophagus
through glossopharyngeal & vagal efferent nerve fibers.
Pharyngeal wall & upper 3rd esophagus.
has striated/ skeletal muscles= controlled by skeletal nerve impulses of
glossopharyngeal & vagal efferent nerve fibers.
while the lower 2/3 of the esophagus
strongly controlled by vagal nerves associated with myenteric
nervous system.
When vagus nerve is cut→ myenteric plexus of esophagus takes over & stimulate secondary peristalsis
when the vagus nerve is cutted what is happens?
→ myenteric plexus of esophagus takes over & stimulate secondary peristalsis.
Esophageal peristaltic waves approaching stomach→
relaxation of the stomach through the inhibitory neurons accouring
Function of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) (Gastroesophageal Sphincter):
Peristaltic wave moving down esophagus→ receptive relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter occurs→ food
enters stomach.
Tonic constriction of the LES prevents reflux of stomach contents into esophagus