GI Flashcards
-understand histology and physiology of the GI system
The Gi system consists of what two main structures?
ALimentary canal and accessory organs (glands)
General functions of the GI system
transport food/water secretion digestion absorption excretion barrier immune protection
(ADME)
What is the function of the oral cavity? What aids its function?
Function: ingest, masticate, moisten food
*site of initiation of sugar digestion (salivary alpha amylase)
Aided by: salivary glands to form bolus
The tongue is a muscular organ composed of what kind of muscle?
Striated muscle
-3 different planes at rt. angles
*covered by stratified squamous epithelium
The anterior and posterior portions of the tongue are separated by what structure?
Sulcus terminalis
a structure of the tongue that is a remnant of its development, formed by evagination of the embryonic pharynx to form the thyroid
Foramen cecum
The posterior 1/3 of the tongue makes up the
tonsils
The anterior 2/3 of the tongue makes up the
lingual papillae
List the 4 types of lingual papillae:
- Filliform
- Fungiform
- Foliate
- Circumvallate
Lingual papillae are specialized mucosa of the tongue on the dorsal surface (anterior to sulcus limitalis). List the 4 types of lingual papillae:
- Filliform
- Fungiform
- Foliate
- Circumvallate
These Lingual papillae that are located on the entirety of anterior 2/3 of the tongue. They are characterized as being:
- smallest and most numerous
- conical, elongated projections of CT
- stratified squamous DRY epithelium
- *No taste buds
Filliform papillae
Function: break up food (friction)
Lingual papillae that are characterized by their mushroom shaped projections They are located on the dorsal surface of the tongue and are scattered in between filliform papillae.
They contain taste buds and are most numerous near the tip of the tongue.
Fungiform Papillae
-CT covered by stratified squamous epithelium
Foliate papillae are located on the lateral edges of the tongue. They are easily identified in young individuals, but degenerate at by age 2. What are their main characteristics?
Characteristics:
- Parallel low ridges separated by deep mucosal clefts
- ducts from serous glands (Von Ebner) empty into clefts
- CT core covered by stratified squamous epithelium
- *Taste buds on lateral wall of neighboring papilla
Lingual papillae shaped like large, dome shaped structures surrounded by moat like invaginations (weird heart shape). They line the sulcus terminalis (8-12/tongue) and are covered by stratified squamous (dry) epithelium.
Circumvallate papillae
Function:
- Serous glands (von Ebner): empty into moat
- flush out material (allows taste buds to respond to stimuli)
*Taste buds on lateral wall
Taste buds are oval or barrel shaped structures with pale staining bodies that span the width of the epithelium. They are composed of a taste pore and 3 principal cell types. Name these cell types.
Taste pore: small opening at epithelial apex
3 cell types:
- Neuroepithelial (sensory) cells
- Supporting (sustentacular) cells
- Basal cells
Neuroepithelial cells (sensory cells) compose one of the 3 cell types found in taste buds. They constitute the majority of the cells and extend from the basal lamina to the taste pore. They are distinguished by their dark elongated nucleus and microvilli at the apical surface (extending towards the pore).
What are their innervations?
- apical tight junctions
- express only 1 class of taste receptors
- synapse at base w/ afferent sensory: CNVII (facial); CN IX (glossopharyngeal); CN X (vagus)
Sustentacular cells (supporting cells) compose one of the 3 cell types found in taste buds. They constitute less cells compared to neuroepithelial cells. They have a pale staining nucleus and extend from the basement membrane to the taste pore. What are their characteristics?
- microvilli at apical surface
- apical tight junctions
- DO NOT synapse at base with afferent sensory neuron
- immature neuroepithelial cells
What are the 5 taste stimuli. What are their receptors?
- bitter: T2Rs + G-protein
- sweet: T1R2, T1R3 + G-protein
- umami: T1R1;T1R3 + G-protein
- sour: H+; Ca2+ proton channel
- salt: Na+;Ca2+ channel
Describe the process by which bitter, sweet, and umami tastants stimulate receptor
- receptor stimulation by tastant
- G protein
- PLC activation
- IP3 activated – open Na channel (depolarization of neuroepithelial cell)
- Voltage gated Ca2+ channel opened – Ca2+ influx
- NT release
- binds gustatory afferent nerve fiber
Umami
glutamate, aspartate, asparagus, tomatoes, cheese, meat, monosodium glutamate
Sour taste is detected by hydrolysis of acidic compounds (H+) protons. Describe the process by which sour taste is detected
- H+ enter neuroepithelial cell (amiliride sensitive Na+ channel or taste specific H+ channel)
- voltage sensitive Ca2+
- NT release – action potential in gustatory afferent
* H+ block K+ channel = no depolarization
Salty taste results from the taste of Na+ ions. Describe mechanism of signalling in neuroepithelial cell
- Na2+ enters amiloride-sensitive Na channel
- depolarization
- voltage sensitive Ca2+ channels and Na+ channels
- NT release (afferent nerve)
Describe innervation of the tongue
- Posterior 1/3:
- General: glossopharyngea (IX)l & vagus (X)
- Taste: glossopharyngeal and vagus - Anterior 2/3:
- General: mandibular branch of trigeminal (V)
- Taste: chorda tympani (facial nerve VII)
Name the layers of the gut (in order)
- Mucosa
- epithelium (endoderm)
- lamina propria (CT)
- muscularis mucosa (SM) - Submucosa (CT)
- Muscularis (SM & SK)
- muscular circular
- muscular longitudinal
4. Adventitia (CT attached to body wall) OR Serosa (CT hanging in a cavity)
*see slide 26 GI Lecture 1
Name the elements of the GI tract (in order)
Esophagus; Stomach; Duodenum; Jejunum; Ileum; Colon
List the functions of the mucosa
- Protection
- barrier; chemical abrasion - Secretion:
- mucous, digestive enzymes, hormones - Absorption
- permeable barrier
* increase absorptive surface are (villi; microvilli)
List the layers of the Mucosa
- Epithelium
- changes for fxn - Lamina propria
- CT beneath epithelium - Muscularis mucosa
- SM under lamina propria
- inner (circular); outer (longitudinal)
- movement of absorption and secretion
Submucosa
- Dense, irregular CT
- BV’s and LV’s
- Nerve plexi (Meissner’s plexus)
- -(sympathetic sensory)
- -(pre and post parasympathetic & enteric)
- Esophageal and duodenal submucosa have glands
Muscularis externa
2 layers of SM
- inner: circular (sphincters) = mix luminal contents
- outer: longitudinal = propels luminal contents
CT between muscle layers have:
-blood and lymph
**Myenteric (Auerbach’s plexus)
(post-ganglionic parasympathetic & enteric)
*forms sphincters
Adventitia/Serosa
Outermost layer (dense, irregular CT)
Serosa: Serous membrane
- simple squamous mesothelium
- some CT
- “visceral peritoneum”
Adventitia: CT only
-covers tract not lined by serosa
As the gut progresses caudally, the lumen widens and the surface area increases. What structures aid in surface area?
- Epithelial invaginations: pits and crypts
- Epithelial evaginations: Villi (Small intestine only)
- Epithelium and underlyaing layers evaginate: Plicae
Glands located in the esophagus
- Mucosa: mucosal gland
2. Submucosa: Esophageal submucosal gland
Glands of the stomach
Mucosa: Gastric gland
Glands of the duodenum
- Mucosa: Crypts of Lieberkuhn
2. **Submucosa: Brunner’s glands
Villi are found in what structures?
Duodenum; Jejunum and Ileum (Small Intestine)
*goblet cells 1st seen in duodenum….
Esophagus starts at the level of the cricoid cartilage and descends
posterior to the trachea
-exits thorax through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm
The esophagus is a fixed muscular tube connecting the pharynx and the stomach. Which part is fixed to the body wall? Which is free and covered by serosa?
Body wall: thoracic; adventitia
Free: abdominal esophagus; serosa
Esophageal mucosa: lamina propria
Lamina propria:
- lymph tissue
- cardiac esophageal glands
- mucous
- acid reflux
Esophageal Muscularis Mucosa
Beneath the lamina propria
- longitudinal and thick
- swallowing?
Esophageal Submucosa
CT: dense irregular -blood/lymph vessels - diffuse lymph ** Meissner’s plexus (innervates muscularis mucosa)
Esophageal glands proper :
- secrete acidic mucus (lubricate/protect)
- concentrated in upper half
- compound, tubuloalveolar glands - duct lined by stratified squamous
- -cysts due to viscous secretion
Muscularis externa of Esophagus
2 layers; Circular and longitudinal
Upper 1/3: Skeletal; CN X
Middle 1/3: SM and Skeletal; CN X (somatic/visceral)
Lower 1/3: SM; CN X (visceral)
At what site of the GI system do we start to see food mixing and digestion (chyme)
Stomach
*absorption of water, salt, lipid soluble drugs
What are the three histological regions of the stomach?
- Cardiac: cardiac glands
- Fundic: gastric and fundic glands
- Pyloric: pyloric glands
- Rugae: inner longitudinal ridges
- -don’t alter surface area
Mucosa of the Stomach (e.g. gastric mucosa) contains pits and glands. Define these terms
Gastric pits: opening in mucosal surface
Gastric glands: open into bottom of pits
The transition from the esophagus to the stomach involves a change in epithelum. Describe the transition
Esophagus: Stratified squamous wet
Stomach: Simple columnar with pits and glands
—invagination of the epithelium
What are the cells types found in the Fundic (gastric) glands?
- Mucous neck cells
- chief cells
- parietal (oxyntic cell)
- enteroendocrine cell
Enterocytes???
*Isthmus: between pit & gland is site of cell replication and migration