Grand Tour of the Alimentary Canal

Question 1

What are the functions of the digestive system?

Answer 1

Digestion, secretion, absorption and motility

Question 2

What is the function of the stomach?

Answer 2

Digestion of proteins, reduction of foodstuff to liquid, storage and sterilisation

Question 3

What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?

Answer 3

To produce the digestive enzymes needed for digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins

Question 4

What are the four layers of the gut tube?

Answer 4

Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa

Question 5

What are the layers of the mucosa?

Answer 5

Epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis mucosae

Question 6

What type of epithelium lines the mouth, oesophagus and anal canal?

Answer 6

Stratified squamous epithelium

Question 7

What type of epithelium lines the stomach, small and large intestine?

Answer 7

Simple Columnar

Question 8

What structures make up the lamina propria?

Answer 8

Loose connective tissue, glands and blood/lymph vessels

Question 9

What is submucosa?

Answer 9

Thick, irregular connective tissue that supports the mucosa

Question 10

What structures can be found in the submucosa?

Answer 10

Neurones, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels

Question 11

In which parts of the GI tract are submucosal glands found?

Answer 11

Oesophagus and Duodenum

Question 12

What is the serosa/adventitia of the GI tract?

Answer 12

The connective tissue outer layer

Question 13

What layers make up the muscularis externa?

Answer 13

Inner layer of circular muscle

Outer layer of longitudinal muscle

Question 14

Where is the myenteric plexus found?

Answer 14

Between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers

Question 15

What is the effect of the parasympathetic system on alimentary function?

Answer 15

It stimulates secretion and motility (except for salivation)

Question 16

What is the effect of the sympathetic system on alimentary function?

Answer 16

It inhibits secretion and motility (except for salivation)

Question 17

What organs does the coeliac trunk supply?

Answer 17

Stomach, small intestine, pancreas and liver

Question 18

What organs does the superior mesenteric artery supply?

Answer 18

Small intestine, caecum, ascending colon and transverse colon

Question 19

What organs does the inferior mesenteric artery supply?

Answer 19

Descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum

Question 20

What veins drain the stomach?

Answer 20

Gastric Veins

Question 21

What vein drains the pancreas?

Answer 21

Splenic Vein

Question 22

Which structures drain into the superior mesenteric vein?

Answer 22

Small intestine, caecum, ascending colon and transverse colon

Question 23

Which structures drain into the inferior mesenteric vein?

Answer 23

Descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum

Question 24

Where do the gastric, splenic, superior and inferior mesenteric veins drain?

Answer 24

The Hepatic Portal Vein