Gastrointestinal system And Digestion Flashcards
What is the other name for the GI tract?
Alimentary tract
What is the GI tract composed of?
Mouth and pharynx
Oesophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
What are the accessory organs of the GI tract?
Teeth
Tongue
Salivary glands
Liver
Gall bladder
Pancreas
What are the two different types of digestion?
- Mechanical digestion - chewing mixing and propulsion.
- Chemical digestion - large molecules > small molecules. An example - large carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes into glucose.
Give a brief description of how absorption of food occurs.
- Products of digestion.
- Absorbed by epithelial cells in the wall of the gut
- Nutrients are transferred to blood vessels.
- Nutrients are delivered to tissues.
What are the three different layers in mucosa?
Inner layer of epithelium - absorb and secretes function
Lamina propria - made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, supportive.
Muscularis mucosae - inner muscular layer
What are the features of submucosa?
It is formed of connective tissue, blood vessels, and some glands.
What type of muscle does the muscularis have? And what is its function?
It is a smooth muscle layer
It’s the inner circular layer where the contraction narrows the gut .
The outer longitude layer where contraction shortens the gut .
What is the serosa?
Outer layer of the gut
It forms mesentry which is where nerves and blood vessels enter and leave the gut.
Name each layer.
What is the function of the mouth (oral or buccal cavity)
- Food is grounded by the teeth.
- Food is mixed with saliva.
- Tasting of food.
- Food is formed into a bolus for swallowing.
What is the name for when food is being grounded by the teeth?
Mastication, which is a form of mechanical digestion.
What is saliva composed of?
99.5% water
Digestive enzymes - Amylase and lipase
Mucus , ions, etc.
Define the pharynx
The pharynx is found at the back of the mouth and it is a common passage for food and air.
What is deglutition?
Swallowing
What is the oesophagus?
A collapsible muscular tube about 25 cm
It transports food to the stomach .
It secretes mucus which lubricates and protects.
Food is propelled by the process of peristalsis
What digestive enzymes are found in the oesophagus?
None
Does absorption take place in the oesophagus?
No
What is peristalsis?
The contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle.
What is the role of circular smooth muscle?
It contracts behind the bolus and relaxes in front.
What is the role of longitudinal smooth muscle?
It contracts in front of the bolus. This shortens the oesophagus.
What is the wave of contraction and how long does it take?
It’s propels food
Takes 4 to 8 seconds
What is the role of the lower oesophagus sphincter?
It controls the entrance to the stomach
How does the lower oesophagus sphincter control the entrance to the stomach?
The ring of smooth muscle tissue is normally contracted but it relaxes during swallowing.
What can sphincter contraction prevent?
Reflux of stomach acid into the oesophagus.
What is Gastro oesophageal reflux?
Heartburn
What are the four functions of the stomach?
- Stores food.
- Mechanical digestion.
- Chemical digestion.
- Peristalsis.
How does the stomach store food?
Mucosa is arranged in folds called rugae. This allows for the expansion of the stomach.
How does mechanical digestion occur in the stomach?
Through waves of smooth muscle contraction.
It breaks down food and mixes with digestive juices .
How does chemical digestion work in the stomach?
The stomach cells secrete enzymes and hydrochloric acid - gastric juice.
How do mechanical and chemical digestion Work in the stomach together?
By breaking down food into a liquid called chyme.
What is the role of peristalsis in the stomach?
It pushes chyme into the duodenum.
What contains many mucus glands in the stomach?
Cardia
What secretes HCL and enzymes in the stomach?
Body and fundus
What controls exit from the stomach?
The plyoric sphincter.