Histology of the Upper GI Tract: Esophagus & Stomach (Test 1) Flashcards
General Organizations of the Digestive/ GI/ Alimentary Tract
- Swallowing, digestion and absorption take place in the GI tract
- Swallowing is the function of the Oral Cavity and the Esophagus
- Digestion converts food into a soluble form of Absorption (In the Small Intestine)
- Epithelial modifications (Villi) to INCREASE Surface Area facilitate Absorption
- Segments do not function as Independent units
- Excepto for the Oral Cavity, the digestive tube has a uniform Histologic Organization
- This organization is characterized by distinct and significant structural variations reflecting changes in Functional Activity
- After the Oral Cavity (in Head and Neck), the digestive tube is differentiated into four major organs: Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine
- Each of these Organs is made up of FOUR Concentric Layers:
1) The Mucosa
2) The Submucosa
3) The Muscular
4) The Adventitia or Serosa
Upper GI Tract Component and Function
Swallowing/ Digestion:
- Mouth, Oral Cavity
- Esophagus
- Stomach
Absorption:
- Small Intestine (Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum)
- Large Intestine (Ascending, Transverse, Descending and Sigmoid)
Four Layers of the GI Tract
1) Muscosa:
- Epithelium
- Lamina Preprint
- Muscular Mucosa
2) Submucosa:
- Connective Tissue
- Contains glands, Blood Vessels, nerves
3) Muscular Externa:
- Smooth Muscle
- Two to Three Layers
4) Adventitia (Esophagus and most of Duodenum) or Serosa (Rest of GI Tract)
- Connective Tissue
- Supports and binds organs to others
Mucosa
Shows significant variations along the length of the GI Tract
Mucosa has Three components:
1) A Lining epithelium with Mucosal and Submucosal Glands and Ducts
2) An underlying Lamina Propria consisting of a vascularized Loose Connective Tissue
3) A Thin Layer of Smooth Muscle, the Muscular Mucosae!!!
Epithelium
Epithelium:
1) STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS:
- Oral Cavity, Oropharynx, Esophagus, Anal Canal
2) SIMPLE COMPLUMNAR:
- Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, and Rectum
Function:
- SELECTIVE PERMEABLE Barrier
- Transport, Digestion, Absorption
- Produce Hormones
Lamina Propria
- Vascularized Loose Connective Tissue
- Lymphatic Nodules and Scattered IMMUNOCOMPETENT Cells (Lymphocytes, Plasma Cells, and Macrophages)
- Lamina Propria of the Small and Large Intestines is a relevant site of Immune Response (Peyer’s Patch or GALT)
Muscular Mucosae
- A thin double layer of Smooth Muscle is often present- the Muscular Mucosa for LOCAL MOVEMENT of the Mucosa
- Increases CONTACT AREA with Food
- Propel and mix food in GI Tract
Submucosa
- The Submucosa consists of a DENSE IRREGULAR Connective Tissue with Large Blood Vessels, Lymphatics, and Nerves branching into the Mucosa and Muscular. Glands are present in the Submucosa of the ESOPHAGUS and DUODENUM
Mucosa
- In the Stomach and Small Intestine, both the Mucosa and Submucosa extend into the Lumen as folds, called RUGAE and PLICAE, respectively
- Mucosa alone can extend into the lumen as Fingers or Villi
- Mucosal Glands INCREASE the SECRETORY Capacity
- Mucosal Villi INCREASE the Absorptive Capacity of the Digestive Tube
- The Mucosa shows significant variations from Segment to Segment of the Digestive Tract
Folds
- In Stomach and Small Intestine, folds of the Mucosa/ Submucosa extend into the lumen as:
1) RUGAE (Stomach)
2) PLICAE (Small Intestine)
3) VILLI (Mucosae alone)
- INCREASE Surface Area for Absorption
Muscular Externa
- Contains TWO LAYERS of Smooth Muscle:
1) CIRCULAR LAYER: Inner Layer is arranged around the Tube Lumen
2) LONGITUDINAL LAYER: Fibers of the Outer Layer are disposed along the Tube
- CONTRACTION of the Smooth Fibers of the CIRCULAR Layer REDUCES the Lumen
- CONTRACTION of the Fibers of the LONGITUDINAL Layer SHORTENS the Tube
Adventitia and Serosa
Adventitia:
- Outside the PERITONEAL CAVITY
- Binds to the Body Wall
- Loose Connective Tissue
- Blood vessels and Nerves
Serosa:
- Within the Peritoneal Cavity
- Loose Connective Tissue
- Simple Squamous Epithelium
- Blood Vessels, Nerves, Adipose Tissue
Innervation- Enables GI Tract to respond to BOTH Local Stimuli and ANS Input
EXTRINSIC (ANS):
1) Sympathetic (TL):
- DECREASES Motility/ Secretions
2) Parasympathetic (VAGUS):
- INCREASES Motility/ Secretions
INTRINSIC/ ENTERIC:
- Distinct, Interconnected Neuronal Circuits
1) Submucosal Plexus (Meissner)
2) Myenteric (Auerbach)
- Between Inner and Outer layers of Muscular Externa
** 1) PERISTALTIC Contractions to move Food Bolus
** 2) Secretory activity of MUCOSAL. SUBMUCOSAL Glands
Esophagus
- The Esophagus is a hollow Muscular Tube about 25 cm in Length
- It lies POSTERIOR to the Trachea in the Thoracic Cavity, except for its Distal End, which passes through the Diaphragm into the Abdominal Cavity
- The Esophagus carries food from the Oropharynx to the Stomach, by a STRONG PERISTALTIC Reflex
- The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), just ANTERIOR to the GASTROESOPHAGEEAL JUNCTION, helps prevent Reflux and Regurgitation of Stomach contents through Contraction and must Relax to ALLOW FOOD PASSAGE with Swallowing
- There is also an UPPER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER (UES), near the CRICOPHARYNGEUS MUSCLE
Esophagus Cont 2
- MUCOSA: The lumen of the Esophagus is lined by a non-keratinized STRATIFIED SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM. This layer so NON-ABSORPTIVE and FRICTION-RESISTANT
- A THIN LAMINE PROPRIA lies below. It contains THIN ELASTI Connective Tissue and a limited number os SUPERFICIAL MUCOSAL GLANDS. In the Upper Esophagus, the Muscular Mucosae consists of THIN ELASTIC FIBERS instead of Smooth Muscle Cells
- The Lower Esophagus contains SMOOTH MUSCLE FIBERS. When Relaxed, the Mucosa is deeply folded to allow extensive distention when a Bolus of Food passes through
- Esophageal glands secrete a lubricating layer of Mucus on the Epithelial surface to aid swallowing
- The next layer is a THICK MUSCULAR PROPRIA or EXTERNA, which transitions fro Skeletal Muscle in the Upper Third of the Esophagus for VOLUNTARY SWALLOWING to Smooth Muscle in the Lower two-thirds that CONTROLS PERISTALSIS