Grand Tour of the Alimentary Canal Flashcards
What are the functions of the digestive system?
Digestion, secretion, absorption and motility
What is the function of the stomach?
Digestion of proteins, reduction of foodstuff to liquid, storage and sterilisation
What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?
To produce the digestive enzymes needed for digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins
What are the four layers of the gut tube?
Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa and serosa
What are the layers of the mucosa?
Epithelium, lamina propria and muscularis mucosae
What type of epithelium lines the mouth, oesophagus and anal canal?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What type of epithelium lines the stomach, small and large intestine?
Simple Columnar
What structures make up the lamina propria?
Loose connective tissue, glands and blood/lymph vessels
What is submucosa?
Thick, irregular connective tissue that supports the mucosa
What structures can be found in the submucosa?
Neurones, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels
In which parts of the GI tract are submucosal glands found?
Oesophagus and Duodenum
What is the serosa/adventitia of the GI tract?
The connective tissue outer layer
What layers make up the muscularis externa?
Inner layer of circular muscle
Outer layer of longitudinal muscle
Where is the myenteric plexus found?
Between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers
What is the effect of the parasympathetic system on alimentary function?
It stimulates secretion and motility (except for salivation)
What is the effect of the sympathetic system on alimentary function?
It inhibits secretion and motility (except for salivation)
What organs does the coeliac trunk supply?
Stomach, small intestine, pancreas and liver
What organs does the superior mesenteric artery supply?
Small intestine, caecum, ascending colon and transverse colon
What organs does the inferior mesenteric artery supply?
Descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum
What veins drain the stomach?
Gastric Veins
What vein drains the pancreas?
Splenic Vein
Which structures drain into the superior mesenteric vein?
Small intestine, caecum, ascending colon and transverse colon
Which structures drain into the inferior mesenteric vein?
Descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum
Where do the gastric, splenic, superior and inferior mesenteric veins drain?
The Hepatic Portal Vein
