Histology Lecture 1 -- Esophagus and Stomach Flashcards
4 basic layers of the GI tract (from inside to outside)
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Tunica muscularis
- Adventitia / serosa
3 layers of the mucosa (from inside to outside)
- Epithelium
- Lamina propria
- Muscularis mucosa
3 types of fibres found in the lamina propria
- Reticular fibres
- Collagen
- Elastic fibres
6 types of cells/structures that are often found in the lamina propria
- Capillaries
- Arterioles
- Nerve fibers
- Occasional fibroblasts
- Smooth muscle cells
- Lymphocytes
3 types of cells that migrate in and out of the lamina propria
- Macrophages
- Eosinophils
- Mast cells
The presence of what kind of cell in the lamina propria is an indication of an abnormal condition?
Neutrophils (only seen within vessels)
Type of muscle found in the muscularis mucosa
Smooth muscle
Define the submucosa
A layer of connective tissue and adipose tissue that lies under the mucosa. Does not normally contain any glands (exceptions on abother flashcard)
Two parts of the GI tract that have glands in the submucosa, and give the name and type of these glands
- Esophagus = esophageal glands
- Duodenum = Brunner’s glands
Both = mucous glands
Function of the submucosa
Support blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves before they enter the mucosa. Also contains nerves and ganglion cells of Meissner’s nerve plexus
Define the tunica muscularis
Thick muscular layer of the GI tract outwards of the submucosa. Usually contains 2 layers:
- Inner circular
- External longitudinal
NOTE that stomach has internal oblique followed by the usual two layers
Define Auerbach’s plexus
Nerve and ganglion cells that lie between the inner and outer muscle layers of the tunica muscularis
Define the peritoneum
A serous sac lined by simply squamous mesothelial cells and a thin layer of connective tissue, which encloses the peritoneal cavity
Why is the lining of the peritoneum called mesothelium instead of epithelium?
The cells are derived from mesoderm, but have features of epithelium
Define mesentery
A sheet-like layer of mostly loose connective tissue (containing adipose tissue, vessels and nerves going to and from gut) which is covered on both sides by mesothelium
Define the serosa
The layer of peritoneum around the gut formed by the splitting of the mesentery to encase the tubular gut
Define retroperitoneal histologically
Parts of the gut that are not completely covered by peritoneum, so the front of the gut under the peritoneum is covered by serosa and the back of the gut is covered by adventitia since it is connected to the connective tissue of the body wall
Where does the extrinsic nerve supply of the gut wall come from?
Autonomic nervous system
What supplies the intrinsic innervation of the gut?
Two plexuses which are sensory chemoreceptors or mechanoreceptors, and effectors that innervate the smooth muscle and enteroendocrine cells:
- Myenteric (Auerbach’s) Plexus
- Submucosal (Meissner’s) Plexus
Define Meissner’s Plexus
Ganglion cells in the submucosa
6 divisions of the digestive tract
- Mouth
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Appendix
3 divisions of the esophagus
- Upper third
- Middle third
- Lower third
3 histological divisions of the stomach
- Cardiac
- Fundus and body
- Antrum and pylorus (pyloric channel)
3 anatomic portions of the small intestine
- Duodenum
- Jejunum
- Ileum
2 histological portions of the small intestine
- Duodenum
- Small intestine proper (includes both jejunum and ileum)
8 anatomic portions of the large intestine
- Cecum
- Ascending colon
- Hepatic flexure
- Transverse colon
- Splenic flexure
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid segment
- Rectal segment
NOTE: All the same histologically
Histological landmarks of the appendix
Colon-like mucosa, but prominent lymphoid tissue lie the terminal ileum
Describe the types of mucosa in the GI tract
Esophagus, mouth and anus = stratified squamous mucosa
Rest of the GI tract = simple columnar glandular mucosa
Define the precise location of the esophagus
Begins at a level above the cricoid cartilage and extends through the thorax in the posterior mediastinum, penetrating the diaphragm and extending a few cnetimeters in the abdomen before joining the stomach
How is the mucosa of the esophagus usually folded and why
Longitudinally so that the lumen is normally closed
Length of esophagus
23 - 25 cm long
Describe the tunica muscularis of the upper third portion of the esophagus
Skeletal muscle
Describe the tunica muscularis of the mid third portion of the esophagus
Mixture of skeletal and smooth muscle
Describe the tunica muscularis of the lower third portion of the esophagus
Smooth muscle only
Where are cardiac glands found?
Esophageal and cardiac mucosa (specifically lamina propria)
Where are the two groups of esophageal cardiac glands found?
Upper = upper third portion of esphagus at a level between the cricoid catilage of the larynx and the 5th tracheal C ring (roughly level of sternal notch)
Lower = lower third portion, at the level of the junction between the esophagus and the stomach