GI Exam: Lecture 1 Flashcards
Main Functions of the GI System:
The GI system consists of _______ and the associated __________
The overall function of the GI tract is:
-
-
-
All of these processes are controlled by ______
Main Functions of the GI System:
The GI system consists of the alimentary tract and the associated glandular organs emptying their contents into the GI tract
The overall function of the GI tract is:
- to breakdown food into molecular monomers
- to absorb nutriends and water into circulation
- and to particupate in the excretion of waste
All these processes are controlled by complex regulatory systems

Main Functions of the GI System:
In order to perform its main functions the GI tract partcipates in 4 major physiological processes. These are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The GI tract also participates in __________
In order to perform its main functions the GI tract participates in 4 major physiological processes:
- Motility
- Secretion
- Digestion
- Absorption
The GI tract also participates in excretion of waste substances

Motility:
- This is part of the _____ process
- It is a concequence of __________ in the GI tract
- This is required to reduce the size of food particles allowing an increased ______
Motility:
- This is part of the digestion process
- It is a concequence of contractions of layers of smooth muscle cells in the GI tract
- This is required to reduce the size of food particles allowing an increased surface area for chemical digestion by enzymes
Motility:
- Is required for mixing ______ with ______
- Is required to propel ingested food from the ____ towards the ______.
The rate at which food is propelled is regulated to optimize the time for ______ and ______
Motility:
- Is required for mixing food particles with the enzymes in the GI lumen
- Is required to propel ingested food from mouth towards the rectum. The rate at which food is propelled is regulated to optimize the time for digestion and absorption
Secretion:
- is the release of _____________
- by the :
These secretions further aid in ____ and ____
Secretion:
is the release of enzymes, biological detergents, mucus, ions, and water in the GI lumen by the
- GI epithelium
- associated glands (Salivary, Pancreas, Liver, Gall Bladder)
These secretions further aid in digestion and absorption

Digestion:
- Most of the nutrients in our diet are taken in as _____ that cannot be absorbed into circulation
- Digestion is the process by which _____ are converted to _______
- This consists of _____ and ______ modification of food such that they are digested into smaller molcules: ____, ____, _____
Digestion:
- Most of the nutrients in our diet are taken in as solids (macromolecules) that cannot be absorbed into circulation
- Digestion is the process by which macromolecules are converted inito smaller, absorbable molecules
- This consists of physical and chemical modification of food such that they are digested into smaller molecules- carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids

Absorption:
- Process by which nutrients, electrolytes, and water are ____ from the ____ to the ____
These absorbed particles are:
- the sources of ____ production
- rapidly used as components of _____
- Part of essential _______
-necessary to regulate _____
Absorption:
- Process by which nutrients, electrolytes, and water are absorbed from the GI lumen into the bloodstream
These absorbed particles are:
- the sources of energy production in cells
- Rapidly used components of various biological structures
- Part of essential metabolic pathways
- Necessary to regulate ALL physiological activities

Excretion:
- The GI tract ___ and _____ waste substances from ingested food materials
- Excretes products from the liver:
-
-
-
Excretion:
The GI tract stores and excretes waste substances from ingested food materials
Excretes products from the liver:
- cholesterol
- steroids
- drug metabolites

Immunological Function:
- The GI tract is open to the _______
- It is vunerable to ______ that can enter along with food and water
- To protect, it possesses a complex defense system of ________
- The GI tract represents the largest _____
Immunological Function:
- The GI tract is open to the external enviornment
- It is vunerable to infectious microorganisms that can enter along with food and water
- To protect it, it possesses a complex defense system of immune cells and other non-specific defense mechanisms
- GI tract represents the largest immune organ of the body

Functional Anatomy of the GI System:
- What are the major functional segments of the GI tract? (note there are 7)
Major Functional Segments:
Mouth and Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum)
Large Intestines
Colons
Rectum
Anus

Functional Anatomy:
What are the associated glandular organs within the GI tract?
(hint there are 5)
Associated Glandular Organs:
- Salivary
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Gall Bladder
- Endocrine glands or cells

Define the term sphincter
What are the six sphincters within the GI System?
Sphincter: specialized circular muscle structures controlling the flow of GI contents between distinct structures
- Upper Esophogeal (between pharnyx and esophagus)
- Lower Esophogeal (between esophagus and stomach)
- Pyloric (between stomach and duodenum)
- Sphincter of Oddi: btwn pancreas and duodenum
- Illeocecal (between ileum and colon)
- Internal and External Anal Sphincters

The gut wall is made up of several layers:
The gut wall is made up of several layers:
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscularis Extrerna
- Serosa

Mucosa:
Mucosa is the _______ layer, and it is made up of ______, ______, and ________
Mucosa:
Mucosa is the innermost layer
Made up of epithelium, the lamina propria, and the muscularis mucosae
Explain the epithelial layer of the mucosa:
What kind of cells make up the epithelium (note there are 4 of them)
(mucosa is the innermost layer of the gut wall, it is made up of epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae)
The Epithelium is a single continous layer of specialized cells lining the lumen of the entire GI tract and innterconnected via tight junctions
Cells that make up the Epithelium:
- Absorptive Enterocytes: most abundant, plays role in digestion and absorption
- Enteroendocrine cells: releases regulatory peptides, amines - regulates GI function
- Other specialized cells are gastric mucosal cells (produce protons) and mucin producing cells that produce mucin (glycoprotein)

The nature of the epithelium varies according to function:
- Esophageal epithelium: helps in transportation of swallowed food (________ type)
- Intestinal epithelium: helps in absorption (____ type)
- The surface area of small intestinal epithelium consists of ____
- The epithelial lining of the GI tract is continuosly renewed. The cells at the villus tip are eventually shed via cell death- lifespan about _______
- The proliferative cells are localized in the crypts: zone of ________ cells
The nature of the epithelium varies according to function:
1. Esophageal epithelium: helps in transportation of swallowed food (no absorption, squamous type)
- Intestinal epithelium: helps in absorption (columnar type)
- The surface area of the small intestinal epithelium consists of villi and crypts
- The epithelial lining of the GI tract is continously renewed. The cells at the villus tip are eventually shed via cell death - lifespan 3-5 days.
- The proliferative cells are localized in the crypts: zone of intestinal stem cells.

Structural Features of Villi:
- Villi are _______ and crypts are _______
- A villus is called the __________
- Epithelial cell on the surface of a villus have numerous cytoplasmic extensions at the luminal surface - _____ or _______
- The mucosal folds, villi, and microvilli increase the surface area of the small intestine by 600 fold
- Reduced surface area causes malabsorption: example is ______
Structural Features of Villi:
- Villi are finger like projections and crypts are invaginations or folds
- The villus is called the unit of absorption
- Epithelial cell on the surface of a villus have numerous cytoplasmic extensions at the luminal surface- microvilli or brush border
- The mucosal folds, villi, and microvilli increase the surface area of the small intestine by 600 fold
- Reduced surface area causes malabsorption: example is Celiac Disease (flattened villi causes reduced surface area, causing malabsorption and malnutrition)

Mucosa:
What are the two parts of the mucosa?
Mucosa:
Lamina Propria:
- Immediately below epithelium
- Consists of connective tissue
- Rich in glands, contains lymph vessels and nodes, capillaries, nerve fibers
Muscularis Mucosa
- Thin layer of smooth muscle cells in a folding configuration caused by contractions

Submucosa:
- The layer after mucosa, consists of ____ tissue:
- _____ are present in some regions
- Large ______ and large ____ are present
- This consists of a dense network of nerve cells called the _______ of the enteric nervous system
- Helps in the integration of motor and secretory activities
Submucosa:
- The layer after mucosa, consists of connective tissue- collagen and elastin fibrils
- Glands are present in some regions
- Large nerve trunks and large blood and lymph vessels are present
- This consists of a dense network of nerve cells called the submucosal plexus of the enteric nervous system (also called the Messiner’s Plexus)
- Helps in the integration of motor and secretory activities

Muscularis Externa/Muscularis Propria:
- Contractions of this layer helps in ____
- Consists of two layers of smooth muscle cells:
* * - Between these two layers lies the _____ plexus
Muscularis Externa/Propria
- Contractions in this layer helps in mixing and propelling contents of the GI tract
- Consists of two layers of smooth muscle cells:
- inner circular muscle layer
- outer longitudinal muscle layer
- Between these two layers lies the myenteric plexus (Auerbach’s Plexus)

Serosa:
This is the ______ layer of the GI tract
Consists of a layer of ______ mesothelial cells
It is part of the mesentary that lines the surface of the abdominal wall and keeps the organs suspended in the cavity
Secretion is ____, lubricates the abdominal organs to ______ between the organs during contraction/relaxation of the GI tract
Serosa:
This is the outermost layer of the GI tract
Consists of a layer of squamous epithelial cells
It is part of the mesentary that lines the surface of the abdominal wall and keeps the organs suspended in the cavity
Secretion is viscous, lubricates the abdominal organs to reduce friction between the abdominal organs during contraction/relaxation of the GI tract

Portal Circulation:
- The venous blood arising from the abdominal orgams flows into the ___ first via the ___ vein (___circulation)
- Blood from the liver is transported via hepatic veins to the _______
- Heart supplies tissues
Portal Circulation:
- The venous blood arising from the abdominal organs flows to the liver first via the portal vein (portal circulation)
- Blood from the liver is transported via hepatic veins to the inferior vena cava
- Heart supplies tissues

- The blood vessels that supply the GI comprise the _______ circulation
- The ______ circulation has three comprising features:
* * *
The blood vessels that supply the GI comprise the Splanchnic circulation
The splanchnic circulation has three striking features:
- large blood flow (receives 25% of total CO)
- large reservoir function
- The diversity of organs that it perfuses

Splanchnic Circulation:
List the three major arteries that supply the abominal organs, and name which organs they supply
Three major arteries that supply the abdominal organs:
- Celiac Artery: supplies the liver, spleen, and stomach
- Superior Mesenteric Artery: supplies the pancreas, small intestine, and proximal colon
- Inferior Mesenteric Artery: supplies the distal colon






















