Grand Tour of the Alimentary System Flashcards
List the four basic functions of the digestive system.
- digestion
- secretion
- absorption
- motility
Through which organ does the entire blood supply of the abdomen pass through?
- the Liver
How many salivary glands can be found in the head?
- three pairs, giving a total of six
True or False.
The oesophagus cannot move objects against gravity.
False.
- the oesophagus can move objects against gravity.
List the organs of the alimentary system.
- mouth
- oesophagus
- stomach
- pancreas
- liver
- gall bladder
- duodenum
- jejunum
- ileum
- ascending colon
- transverse colon
- descending colon
- sigmoid colon
- rectum
- anus
Name functions of the stomach.
- stores foodstuffs
- allows for controlled release into the duodenum
- sterilisation
Name the four distinctive layers of the tunica, from innermost to outermost.
- Mucosa
- submucosa
- muscularis externa
- serosa/adventitia
Describe the submucosa.
- thick, irregular connective tissue which supports the mucosa
- supplies blood vessels and neurons
- takes away metabolic waste
- has glands which contain bicarbonate to neutralise acid to preserve the stomach
Describe the muscularis externa.
- two thick concentric layers of smooth muscle
Describe the serosa/adventitia.
- connective tissue outer layer
- the adventitia attaches the oesophagus and rectum to their respective structures
- the serosa surrounds the stomach, small and large intestines.
- the name change represents only a change in location.
Name the layers of the mucosa, from innermost to outermost.
- muscularis mucosae
- lamina propria
- epithelium
Describe the muscularis mucosae.
- a thin, smooth muscle layer
Name the layers of the muscularis externa.
- circular muscle layer
- longitudinal muscle layer
Describe the lamina propria.
- loose connective tissue containing vessels and glands
What type of epithelium can be found in the mouth, oesophagus and anal canal?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What type of epithelium can be found in the stomach, small and large intestines?
Simple columnar epithelium
What resides between the submucosa and the circular muscle layer?
The submucosal plexus
What resides between the circular muscle layer and the longitudinal muscle layer?
The myenteric plexus
What do the submucosal plexus and the myenteric plexus combine to form?
The enteric nervous system
What is the function of the enteric nervous system?
To provide independent control of gut function.
Where does autonomic control of the alimentary system come from?
- parasympathetic system
- ENS reflexes
What is the effect of the parasympathetic system on the alimentary system?
- Stimulatory
increasing secretion and motility
Where does parasympathetic stimulation of the alimentary system come from?
- the vagus nerve
except salivation which comes from facial and glossopharyngeal nerves
What is the effect of the sympathetic system on the alimentary system?
- Inhibitory
except for salivation
