GI Motility Flashcards
What are the layers of the walls of GI (superficial to deep)? (4)
→ Serosa
→ Muscularis externa
(longitudinal then circular muscle)
→ Submucosa
→ Mucosa
(muscularis mucosa, lamina propria, then mucous membrane)
Where is the Enteric NS found in the layers of GI? (2)
Myenteric plexus
→ in between outer longitudinal and inner circular muscle layers (muscularis externa)
Submucosal plexus
→ in submucosa
What is the structure of smooth muscle? (6)
→ non-striated
→ dense bodies (serving as attachment points for cytoskeletal proteins through cell membrane)
→ intermediate filaments such as desmin (scaffoliding structure)
→ no T-tubules
→ no SR
→ specialised for long-term contraction with limited ATP
Features of unitary smooth muscle
- form a sheet or bundles of tissue
- connected by gap junctions
- contract as single unit
- coordinated contractions
uterus, bladder, GI tract, small blood vessels
Features of multi-unit smooth muscle
- discrete, individual fibres
- stimulated independently
- fine contractions
iris, ciliary body, pilorecetor muscles, large airways, large arteries
What is the Smooth muscle contraction process? (6)
1) Ca2+ enters cell causing increase intracellular [Ca2+]
2) leading to Ca2+ binding to calmodulin (calcium binding messenger protein)
3) Ca2+-calmodulin complexes activate MLCK
4) MLCK phosphorylate myosin heads
- increasing myosin ATPase activity
5) Phosphorylated myosin binds with Actin forming cross-bridges
6) causing actin to slide along myosin
- causing contraction
What is the smooth muscle relaxation process? (4)
1) Calcium pumped out or moves into SR
2) which decreases MLCK activity
3) causing de-phosphorylation of myosin heads via myosin phosphatase
4) no cross-bridges formed, so muscle relaxation
Enteric nervous system on the GI tract
PARASYMPATHETIC
- promotes motility/ secretion
SYMPATHETIC
- inhibits motility/ secretion
- contracts sphincters
MYENTERIC PLEXUS
- controls GI motility
SUBMUSCOSAL PLEXUS
- controls both GI motility and secretion
How is the Enteric NS controlled?
Parasympathetic and sensory will activate submucosal and myenteric plexus
- promoting secretions and motility
Sympathetic will inhibit submucosal myenteric plexus
- inhibiting secretions and motility
How do reflexes control GI motility (5)
Gastroileal reflex
→ stomach activity promotes ileocaecal sphincter openening
Colonileal reflex
→ inhibits ileal emptying when colon stretched
Gastrocolic/dudenocolic reflex
→ food entering stomach or duodenum promotores motility of colon
Enterogastric reflex
→ distended small and large intestines inhibtis stomach motility and secretion
Intestinointestinal reflex
→ overdistention in one part of intestine leads to relaxation in another part
Oral phase of deglutition (swallowing)?
VOLUNTARY
1) food chewed and lubricated with saliva to form a bolus
2) tongue propels it to back of mouth triggering somatosensory recpetors
3) somatosensory receptors send info to medullary swallowing centre to close upper oesophageal sphincter
Pharyngeal phase of deglutition (swallowing)? (4)
INVOLUNTARY
1) food propelled from pharynx to oesophagus
2) soft palate raised to prevent it entering nasopharynx
3) Epiglottis contracts to block larynx to prevent aspiration
4) Upper oesaphageal sphincter opens to allow food to enter
Oesophageal phase of deglutition (swallowing)? (4)
INVOLUNTARY
1) Bolus is propelled from the pharynx into the oesophagus
2) Upper oesophageal sphincter contracts to prevent reflux
3) Primary peristaltic wave propels the food bolus from the oesophagus into the stomach
4) Second peristaltic wave can be initiated to clear food
How does peristalsis occur?
Behind bolus:
→ Longitudinal muscle relaxation by VIP and NO
→ Circular muscle contraction by ACh and substance P
At bolus:
→ Longitudinal muscle contraction by ACh and substance P
→ Circular muscle relaxation by VIP and NO
What causes wave of peristalsis in pharynx and upper third of oesophagus? (2)
→ Striated muscle cells
→ controlled by Glossopharyngeal and Vagus