Glands of Digestion: Gallbladder and Pancreas Flashcards
Where is the gallbladder (GB)? What is the bulk of it?
A small organ inferior to the liver
Its body makes up the bulk of it
What connects to the narrow neck of the GB?
Cystic duct
What are the functions of the GB?
Store bile (70mL) Concentrate bile
What are two types of bile?
Hepatic bile
Cystic bile
What is primary bile from the liver called?
Hepatic bile
What is concentrated bile from the GB called?
Cystic bile
What controls bile release?
Vagus nerve and CCK
What is the surface epithelium of the GB?
Simple columnar
What cell types are present within the GB?
Clear cells (cholangiocytes) Brush cells
What makes clear cells unique and what is their function?
They have many microvilli
Function to concentrate bile by absorbing water
What is the function of brush cells? Are they numerous?
Function to produce mucinogen (lubricating)
Few brush cells in GB
How is the lamina propria in the GB?
Loose and very vascular CT
What is present in the neck of the GB?
Small mucous glands
What is the function of the lamina propria of the GB?
To lubricate the narrow neck lumen
Does the GB have a muscularis mucosa?
No
Why is development of gallstones in the GB significant?
GB lacks a submucosa
How is the pattern of the submucosa of the GB?
Not normal; thin smooth muscle layer with a disorganized muscle arrangement
Does the GB have serosa and adventitia?
Yes, mostly *serosa but adventitia is present where GB attaches to the liver
What surrounds the pancreas?
Thin CT capsule
What creates lobules within the pancreas?
Septa diving into pancreas
What makes up the endocrine pancreas?
Islets of Langerhans producing hormones
What makes up the exocrine pancreas?
Serous acini producing digestive enzymes
What is the largest portion of the pancreas?
Exocrine portion
What are the 2 main features that make up the exocrine pancreas?
Serous (pancreatic) acini
Pancreatic ducts
What controls secretion of serous (pancreatic) acini?
CCK and ACH from parasympathetics
What controls secretion of the pancreatic ducts?
Water and bicarbonate secretion controlled by Secretin and ACH from parasympathetics
What is the function of bicarbonate?
To neutralize chyme in the duodenum
What cells are present in the pancreatic ducts?
Centroacinar cells
Where are centroacinar cells located?
Next to acinar cells
What produces alkaline fluid containing large amounts of bicarbonate ions?
Centroacinar cells along with cuboid cells in intercalated pancreatic ducts
Why is alkaline fluid released into the duodenum?
To buffer stomach chyme (acidic!)
What wraps around the pancreatic ducts and why?
Collagen rich CT wraps around pancreatic ducts to give extra protection from possible leaking of digestive enzymes
