Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
List the functions of the GI/digestive system. (7)
- Ingestion
- Mechanical processing
- Digestion
- Secretion
- Absorption
- Compaction
- Defecation
List the organs/components of the digestive tract. (6)
- Oral cavity
- Pharynx
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
List the accessory organs of the GI system.
- Salivary glands
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
Which stain would be typically be used in investigation of the digestive tract?
H&E (haematoxylin and eosin)
List the typical layers of the digestive tract (internal to external).
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscularis propria
- Adventitia/serosa
What role does the oral cavity play in relation to the GI system?
Ingestion, mechanical processing and some digestion.
List the extrinsic salivary glands.
- Parotid
- Submandibular
- Sublingual
Which cranial nerve is involved in mastication?
CN V - trigeminal
Where is the oesophagus located?
Between the pharynx and the stomach.
What is the function of the oesophagus?
To transport food from pharynx to stomach.
What is found within the mucosa of the oesophagus?
- Non keratinising stratified squamous epithelium
- Lamina propria
- Muscularis mucosae
What is found within the submucosa of the oesophagus?
- Glands
2. Lymphoid follicles
Describe the muscle layer of the oesophagus.
- External layer is longitudinal muscle and inner layer is circular muscle.
- Superior third = voluntary striated muscle (skeletal)
- Middle third = voluntary striated and smooth muscle
- Inferior third = smooth muscle
Where is the stomach located?
Between the oesophagus and duodenum of small intestine. (Epigastric, left hypochondrium and umbilical regions).
What is the function of the stomach?
List the major functions of the stomach.
- Acting as a mixing compartment to produce chyme.
- Storage/emptying
- Secretes gastric juice to contribute to digestion.
List the regions of the stomach.
- Cardiac region
- Fundus
- Body
- Pyloric antrum
- Pyloric canal
- Pyloric sphincter
- Pylorus
Which curvature of the stomach is lateral and which is medial?
Lateral: greater
Medial: lesser
What are the three layers of the mucosa of the stomach?
- Epithelium
- Lamina propria
- Muscularis mucosae
Describe the submucosa of the stomach.
- Connective tissue
- Vascular plexus that supplies mucosa
- Allows mucosa to move freely over deeper structures
List the muscle layers of the muscularis of the stomach from deepest to most superficial.
- Oblique muscular layer
- Circular muscular layer
- Longitudinal muscular layer
The outer surface of the stomach is covered in a layer of…
Peritoneum
What is the peritoneum of the stomach continuous with?
Superiorly: lesser omentum
Inferiorly: greater omentum
Which cells are found within the epithelium of the stomach? (6)
- Surface mucous cells
- Mucous neck cells
- Parietal (oxyntic) cells
- Chief cells
- G cells
- Stem cells
Describe the surface mucous cells of the stomach.
Tall, thin, columnar epithelial cells
What is the function of the surface mucous cells of the stomach?
- Secrete mucin which combines with water to form mucus
2. Mucous protects underlying mucosa from self abrasion that may result from stomach acid
Describe the mucous neck cells of the stomach.
Low columnar epithelial cells
What is the function of the mucous neck cells of the stomach?
To secrete a soluble mucous in the active stomach
Describe the parietal (oxyntic) cells of the stomach.
- Oval epithelial cells
2. Contain canaliculi with irregular microvilli edges
What do the canaliculi of the parietal stomach cells contain?
H+/K+ ATPase antiporters