Grand Tour of the Alimentary Canal Flashcards
What are some functions of the digestive system?
Digestion
Secretion
Absorption
Motility
What is the function of the mouth?
Break down foodstuff by chewing, saliva acting as a lubricant
What is the function of the oesophagus?
Conduit between the mouth and stomach
What is the function of the stomach?
Digestion of proteins
Foodstuff reduced to liquid form
Storage
Sterilisation
What is the function of the pancreas?
Digestive enzymes for digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins
What is the function of the liver?
Produce bile salts for digestion/absorption of fats in the small intestine
What is the function of the gallbladder?
Stores and concentrates bile
What is the function of the small intestine?
Final stages of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption
What is the function of the large intestine?
Water absorption
Bacterial fermentation and formation of faeces
In basic terms what is the alimentary canal?
Continuous hollow tube from the oesophagus to the rectum
How long is the alimentary canal?
About 8m long
What can be said about the structural formation of the alimentary canal throughout its length?
It is the same throughout its length with 4 distinct layers
What are the 4 distinct layers of the alimentary canal?
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis external
Serosa/adventitia
Where is stratified squamous epithelium found?
Mouth
Oesophagus
Anal canal
Where is simple columnar epithelium?
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
What is the functions of epithelium?
Separate lumen of alimentary canal from the body
Synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes, hormones and mucus
Absorbs products of digestion
What are the layers of the mucosa?
Epithelium
Lamina propria
Muscularis mucosae
What is lamina propria?
Loose connective tissue (glands, blood and lymph vessels)
What is muscularis mucosae?
Thin smooth muscle layer
What is submucosa?
Thick, irregular connective tissue to support mucosa
What does the submucosa contain?
Nuerons
Blood vessels
Lymphatic vessels