Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
What is the primary function of the GI system?
Absorption of dietary nutrients
What is peristalsis?
Movement of a bolus through the GI system
How does peristalsis work?
Muscle proximal contracts and the muscle distal relaxes
What is the inner most layer of the GI tract?
Mucosa
What are the different layers of the mucosa?
Epithelium
Lamina propria
Muscularis mucosa
How often is the epithelium replaced in the GI tract?
Every 2-3 days
How does the body control the absorptive or motility features of the mucosa?
The extent of villi and crypts
What is the lamina propria in the mucosa layer?
Loose connective tissue made up of elastin and collagen fibres
What is contained in the lamina propria?
Contain sensory nerves, blood and lymph vessels and secretory glands
What is the function of the muscularis mucosa?
Increases surface area by creating ridges and folds
Made from a thin layers of smooth muscle
What is the second most inner layer of the GI tract?
Submucosa
What is the structure of the submucosa?
Similar composition to the lamina propria
Incorporates blood vessels and nerve bundles that form a submucosal plexus
What is the third layer of the GI tract?
Muscularis externa
What are the three layers of the muscularis externa?
Circular muscle
Myenteric plexus
Longitudinal muscle
What are sphincters and what is there function?
Circular muscle
Regulate flow from different compartments to the next
What is the submucosal plexus also known as?
Meissner plexus
What is the myenteric plexus also known as?
Auerbach plexus
What is the outermost layers of the GI tract?
Serosa
What is the structure of the serosa layer?
Connective tissue with a layer of squamous epithelial cells
An example of a structure that does not have a serosal layer?
Oesophagus
What three division of the ANS regulate the GI tract?
Parasympathetic
Sympathetic
Enteric
What is the innervation of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Vagus nerve- medullar oblongata
Pelvic-splanchnic nerves S2-S4
What does the PSNS respond to
Stretch, pressure, temperature and somolarity
What neurotransmitters are used in the PSNS?
ACh
Gastric-releasing peptide
Substance P
What is the PSNS general function?
Rest and digest
Where do nerves originate in the SNS?
Thoracic and lumbar regions
Where do the SNS synapse?
Celiac
Superior mesenteric
Inferior mesenteric
What is the upper GI tract innervated by?
Nerves that synapse on the superior cervical ganglion
What is the SNS general function?
Flight or fight
What are the neurotransmitters in the SNS?
Noradrenaline
Neuropeptide Y