Gastric and Intestinal Motility Flashcards
What are the gastric motor functions of the stomach?
- reservoir of food ingested at a single meal - stored in fundus + body of stomach 2. Break food into smaller particles and mix it with gastric secretions, until chyme is formed
- Protects the body by destroying many bacteria and pathogens
- Slow emptying of chyme from stomach into duodenum at a controlled rate
What is receptive relaxation?
first pattern of stomach motility
What mediates the receptive relaxation?
- vagal nerve 2. triggered by movements of the esophagus - distension of oesophagus during swallowing evokes relaxation
Describe the mechanism caused by the distension of the esophagus?
- Oesophageal peristalsis triggers reflex that causes the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) to relax 2. Relaxation of LES is followed by receptive relaxation of the fundus and the body of stomach
Describe the size of the fundus?
fundus and body can accommodate volume increases as much as 1.5 liters without a great increase in intragastric pressure
Which nerves are major efferent pathways for reflex relaxation of stomach?
vagal nerves
Which neurotransmitters are released in RR?
- vasoactive intestinal peptide 2. nitric oxide
When does mixing begin?
Gastric contractions begin when food enters the stomach
Where do gastric contractions begin?
in the middle of body of stomach and move towards the pylorus - contractions increase in force and velocity as they reach gastroduodenal junction
What is the purpose of the mixing process?
contractions mix ingested material with gastric juice, facilitating 1. digestion 2. solubilising some constituents 3. reducing particle size
Where does the major mixing activity occur?
antrum
Describe mixing in the fundus and the body?
- contractions are weak 2. Fundus contents settle in layers according to density, with fats on top 3. gastric contents may remain unmixed for 1 hour
Antrum contraction is followed by?
the contraction of the pyloric region and the duodenum
Stomach emptying is promoted by?
the intense peristaltic contractions of the stomach antrum
What is the function of the pylorus?
- to limit the size of particles emptied into the duodenum after a meal - Food particles larger than 2 mm do not pass through the narrow pyloric opening 2. acts to prevent reflux of the duodenal contents into the stomach
Gastric emptying is regulated by?
neural and hormonal mechanisms
Gatsric emptying is slowed by?
- hypertonic solutions in the duodenum 2. duodenal Ph less than 3.5 3. presence of amino acids and peptides 4. presence of fatty acids
How does the GIT sense these changes?
duodenal and jejunal mucosa contain receptors that sense acidity, osmotic pressure, products of fat digestion, products of protein digestion
How does acidity of chyme delay gastric emptying?
when pH falls below 3.5-4 acid in the duodenum
- stimulates secretin release which reduces antral contractions and increases contraction of pyloric sphincter
- presence of acid in the duodenum evoke neural reflexes that increases contraction of pyloric sphincter
How do fat digestion products in the duodenum and jejunum decrease gastric emptying?
- stimulates cholecystokinin (CCK) which decreases emptying
- stimulates release of gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide (GIP), that also decreases emptying
Describe how osmotic pressure of duodenal contents decrease gastric emptying?
Osmotic pressure of duodenal contents slow down gastric emptying by release of unknown hormone
Describe how peptides and amino acids in the duodenum decrease gastric emptying?
release gastrin from G cells in the stomach antrum and duodenum -
- gastrin increases strength of antral contractions
- gastrin relaxes pyloric sphincter
- increases rate of gastric emptying
What is vomitting?
the forceful expulsion of gastric and intestinal contents through the mouth
Reflex behaviour of vomiting is controlled by?
medulla oblangata
How does it start?
salivation - sensation of nausea
What is vomitting preceded by?
retching -
What is the primary function of the small intestine?
digestion and absorption of nutrients, hence motility patterns are organised to optimise these functions
Intestinal motility serves the folloring functions?
- mixing of contents with digestive enzymes and other secretions 2. further reduction of particle size and solubilisation 3. net propulsion of contents through the small intestines into large bowel
What causes contractions of intestinal smooth muscles?
pacemaker activity in the interstitial cells of Cajal