GI Flashcards
Regulating gastric acid secretion: What stimuli are involved in the intestinal phase?
Low pH in duodenal lumen, duodenal distension, presence of amino acids and fatty acids in the duodenum.
What cells secrete histamine?
Enterochromaffin like cells.
What are the consequences of vitamin A deficiency?
Night blindness, growth retardation, increased susceptibility to infection.
Name 2 ions that striated ducts reabsorb.
Na+ and Cl-
What enzyme is needed for fat digestion?
Pancreatic lipase.
What is the function of micelles?
They are lipid transport systems. They move to the epithelial brush border and release the fatty acids and monoglycerides for absorption.
What is the anterior layer of rectus sheath formed from?
External oblique aponeurosis and the anterior lamina of the internal oblique aponeurosis.
Is stage 3 of swallowing voluntary or involuntary?
Involuntary.
How do amino acids get absorbed into the blood?
Passive diffusion.
What is the mechanism for Cl- and HCO3- reabsorption?
Cl- is actively reabsorbed in exchage for HCO3-. The intestinal contents therefore become more alkaline.
Define malnutrition.
A lack of nutrition due to not eating enough, being unable to absorb nutrients, eating the wrong things.
Is vitamin A fat or water soluble?
Fat soluble.
What is the function of the muscles of the soft palate in swallowing?
They act to tense and elevate the soft palate.
If water input is 9L, how much is reabsorbed and how much is excreted in the faeces?
8.8L is reabsorbed and 0.2L is excreted in the faeces.
What molecule is produced that aids absorption?
Micelles.
How many pharyngeal arches are there?
5 (4 pharyngeal clefts and pouches).
Name the 4 main defence mechanisms against gastric acid secretion.
- Alkaline mucous.
- Tight junctions between epithelial cells.
- Replacing damaged cells.
- Feedback loops.
What is the recommended daily intake of vitamin A for men and women?
Women - 600µg. Men - 700µg.
What is the function of the muscles of the floor of the mouth in swallowing?
They raise the hyoid bone and larynx.
What are the end products of starch digestion?
Maltose!
Also maltotriose, glucose polymers and alpha-dextrins.
What happens in stage 2 of swallowing?
The nasopharynx closes off due to soft palate elevation. The trachea is closed off by the epiglottis. Elevation of the hyoid bone shortens and widens the pharynx.
How does Na+ move across the small intestine?
Na+ is actively transported from the lumen by pumps located in the cell membranes in the ileum and jejunum.
At what vertebral level is the intertubercular plane?
L4.
Where are the stem cells that replace the epithelium located?
The base of crypts.
On average, how much gastric acid do we secrete a day?
2L
What does the first pharyngeal arch form?
Muscles for mastication. Innervation: Cn 5.
What is the epithelium lining of interlobular ducts?
Simple columnar epithelium.
How long do lipid stores in a 70Kg adult last?
3 months.
Name 2 areas of the body with a low pH to combat bacteria.
Stomach and vagina.
What are the 5 stages of midgut development?
- Elongation.
- Herniation.
- Rotation.
- Retraction.
- Fixation.
Name 3 sources of vitamin A.
- Oily fish.
- Dairy.
- Liver
What fuels does the brain use?
Glucose and ketone bodies.
What can cause pernicious anaemia?
If you have low levels of intrinsic factor you will have B12 deficiency. This will mean fewer RBC’s will be formed leading to pernicious anaemia.
What is the precursor molecule for pepsin?
Pepsinogen.
What are the 4 layers of the GI tract?
- An innermost mucosa.
- A sub-mucosa.
- An external muscle coat (muscularis externa)
- A serosa.
Why is pepsin action terminated in the small intestine?
The pH in the small intestine is too alkaline and so it denatures.
What digests lipids in the small intestine?
Pancreatic lipases.
Is saliva hypotonic or hypertonic?
Hypotonic - water reabsorption and ion secretion.
What happens in stage 3 of swallowing?
The pharyngeal constrictor muscles sequentially contract producing peristaltic waves. This propels the bolus of food down the Oesophagus. This is followed by depression of the hyoid bone.
Where in the layers of the GI tract would Auerbach’s plexus be found?
In the muscularis externa between the circular and longitudinal layers of muscle.
Do parotid glands have mainly serous or mainly mucous acini?
Mainly serous acini.
What substances emulsify lipids?
Bile salts and phospholipids.
Give 4 complications of malnutrition.
- Apathy.
- Depression.
- Increased risk of infection.
- Anaemia.
Do sublingual glands have mainly serous or mainly mucous acini?
Mainly mucous acini.
What ions are reabsorbed at striated ducts?
Na+ and Cl-
What enzyme(s) hydrolyse cholesterol esters in the intestinal lumen?
Pancreatic esterases.
Why is endoscopy preferred to a barium meal?
Produces a better image and is more accurate. Also prevents exposure to radiation as a barium meal requires an X-ray.
What happens to the posterior rectus sheath below the arcuate line?
It is absent. The rectus abdominis is in direct contact with the transversalis fascia.
What is the function of mixed micelles?
Lipid transport systems.
Give 2 examples of an endopeptidase.
- Trypsin.
2. Chymotrypsin.
What happens in the retraction stage of midgut development?
In the 10th week the herniated midgut returns into the expanded abdominal cavity. Th jejunum is first to return.
How many B vitamins are there?
8.
The end products of fat digestion combine with bile salts and cholesterol to form what?
Mixed micelles.
Name 4 molecules to make up micelles.
- Fatty acids.
- Monoglycerides.
- Bile salts.
- Phospholipids.
Name 3 monosaccharides.
- Glucose.
- Fructose.
- Galactose.
What is the arcuate line?
The lower limit of the posterior rectus sheath.
Histamine is secreted by enterchromaffin like cells. What are enterochromaffin cells?
Enterchromaffin cells are located in the intestine and secrete serotonin, not histamine.
Define ulcer.
A breach in a mucosal surface.
What are the pacemaker cells of the small intestine called?
Interstitial cells of Cajal.
At what vertebral level is the subcostal plane?
L2.
Name 2 drugs that can be used to reduce gastric acid secretion.
- Proton pump inhibitors.
2. H2 receptor antagonists.
What are the axis of stomach rotation?
Longitudinal and anteroposterior.
What enzyme(s) hydrolyse peptide bonds in the stomach?
Pepsins.
Does parasympathetic innervation stimulate or inhibit salivary secretion?
Stimulates.
What mechanism speeds up the digestion of fats?
Emulsification - the surface area for lipase action is increased.
What is the importance of HCO3- being exchanged for Cl-?
HCO3- moving out of the cell increases the rate of the forward reaction and so more H+ are produced. Cl- moving into the cell then moves into the stomach lumen via Cl- channels and combines with H+ to form HCl.
What is the optimum oral pH?
7.2
Give 3 functions of HCl in the stomach.
- Solubilisation of food particles.
- Kills microbes.
- Activates pepsinogen forming pepsin.
What happens in the elongation stage of midgut development?
Rapid elongation forms the primary intestinal loop. The proximal part of the loop forms the small intestine and the distal part forms the large intestine up to 2/3 TC.
What are the 4 phases important in regulating gastric acid secretion? Do these phases turn secretion on or off?
- Cephalic phase - turning ON.
- Gastric phase - turning ON.
- Gastric phase - turning OFF.
- Intestinal phase - turning OFF.
What are the consequences of vitamin A toxicity?
Anorexia, vomiting, headache, reduced bone density, conjunctivitis.
Name 5 factors that can decrease the strength of peristaltic contractions.
- Duodenal distension.
- Low pH in duodenum lumen.
- Increased duodenal osmolarity.
- Increased sympathetic action.
- Decreased parasympathetic action.
What nerve passes through the parotid gland but does not innervate it?
The facial nerve (Cn 7) gives rise to its 5 terminal branches in the parotid gland.
Are lipids hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
Hydrophobic.
What are proteins digested into?
Dipeptides, tripeptides and amino acids.
Inside the intestinal epithelial cell, triglycerides combine with other lipids e.g. cholesterol to form what molecules?
Chylomicrons.
Name 2 ions that striated ducts secrete.
K+ and HCO3-
Why are fatty acids and monoglycerides re-synthesised into triglycerides inside the epithelial cell?
To maintain a diffusion gradient allowing for further reabsorption.
Where does the midgut begin and end?
Major duodenal papilla to 2/3 along the TC. (In embryo - liver bud to 2/3 along TC).
What is the importance of the striated duct basal membrane being highly folded?
It is folded into microvilli for the active transport of HCO3- against its concentration gradient.
Why might an elderly person be at risk of malnutrition?
- Immobility - unable to cook and eat.
- Dental problems meaning its difficult to chew foods.
- Decreased appetite.
- Not eating the right things.
What happens to the fatty acids and monoglycerides inside the intestinal epithelial cells?
They are re-synthesised into triglycerides in the smooth ER.
What is the mechanism of the H+/K+ ATPase proton pump?
It pumps H+ into the stomach lumen and K+ into the parietal cell.
What are the functions of vitamin C?
Synthesis of collagen, neurotransmitters and carnitine. It has an antioxidant ability and can absorb non-haem iron.
What can cause Barrett’s oesophagus?
GORD.
At what vertebral level is the intercristal plane?
L4/5.
Briefly describe the cephalic phase.
The parasympathetic nervous system is triggered by stimuli. This releases Ach. Ach acts on parietal cells and on gastrin and histamine. HCl secretion increases.
What ions are exchanged on the side of the parietal cell in contact with the capillaries?
Cl- is pumped into the parietal cell and HCO3- moves out of the parietal cell into the capillary.
Which papillae do not bear taste buds?
Filiform papillae.
Are serous acini dark staining or pale staining on a histological slide?
Dark staining.
Mucus acini = pale staining
What is the parasympathetic innervation of the Parotid gland?
Cn 9 - glossopharyngeal.
What is the cause of lactose intolerance?
A deficiency in lactase.
Name 3 organs that secrete digestive enzymes.
- Stomach.
- Pancreas.
- Salivary glands.
What is the parasympathetic innervation of the Sublingual gland?
Cn 7 - facial.
What protein binds pancreatic lipase to the surface of the lipid?
Co-lipase. This is essential, pancreatic lipase can not work without it.
What ducts do striated ducts lead on to?
Interlobular (excretory) ducts.
What neurotransmitter is involved in regulating gastric acid secretion?
Ach.
What molecules make up phospholipids?
1 glycerol backbone, 2 fatty acids and 1 phosphate group.
What is mucous acini secretion composed of?
Mucin - needed for lubrication.
Why is the pyloric sphincter closed as the peristaltic wave reaches it?
This prevents chyme entering the duodenum and so the gastric contents are forced back and mixed together in the body of the stomach.
What artery ascends through the parotid gland?
The external carotid artery.