Histology of the Esophagus & Stomach Flashcards
What are the four layers of the GI tract from the lumen to superficial?
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscularis Externa
- Serosa/adventitia
What are the three layers of the mucosa and their function?
1) Lining epithelium: changes throughout GI tract
2) Lamina propria: lymph and immune cells
3) Muscularis mucosae: smooth muscle that controls mobility & infoldings of mucosa above it
What composes the submucosal layer?
Dense irregular connective tissue with neurovasculature and lymphatics. Glands may also be present (Esophagus & duodenum)
What are the two layers of the muscularis externa & their function?
- Inner circular layer - constricts lumen
- Outer longitudinal layer - shortens the tube
*neurovasculature plexus between layers
What is the difference between serosa and adventitia?
Serosa: connective tissue - mesothelial lining covering peritoneal organs
Adventitia: connective tissue - Retroperitoneal organs not covered by mesothelium
What layer of the GI tract differs considerably compared to the others. What is the function of the variability
Mucosa layer
Reflects functional activity & aids in ID of specific regions
What are the nerve plexuses of the GI system and where are they found
- Submucosal plexus of Meissner - Between submucosa & muscularis externa
- Myenteric plexus of Auerbach - Between inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of muscularis externa
What part of the parasympathetics increase motility
Preganglionic axons
Rest & digest
What part of the sympathetics decrease motility
Postganglionic axons
Esophagus:
What type of mucosa?
Nonkeratinized stratified squamous (protective)
What type of muscle is found in the muscularis layer of the esophagus
Upper third: skeletal (helps regulate voluntary demand of swallowing)
Middle third: skeletal and smooth
Lower third: smooth muscle
What causes Esophageal Varices
Inflammation of the submucosal venous plexuses leads to increase pressure of the portal venous system. This causes an increase in pressure of the veins in the esophagus causing the veins of the esophagus to become enlarged and dilated.
Lecture: Histology of the Esophagus & Stomach
Esophagus:
Is it serosa or adventitia?
Both!
Thoracic esophagus (above diaphragm): adventitia
Below diaphragm: serosa
Esophagus Glands
- What are they
- Where in the esophagus are they found
- What do they produce?
- Cardiac esophageal glands
- Lamina propria of terminal esophagus
- produce mucus to protect esophagus from stomach contents
- Submucosal glands
- Throughout esophagus
- Mucous and serous
What is the name of the functional sphincter that prevents reflux of gastric contents in the esophagus
Lower esophageal sphincter
What is Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/ Acid Reflux
Weaking of lower esophageal sphinceter resulting in backflow of gastric contents leading to chronic inflammation, ulceration & difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).
What causes Barett’s esophagus
Chronic GERD causing nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium in transition zone to become columnar mucus-secreting/glandular epithelium in the esophagus.