kumar Clarke Flashcards
what does the pharynx consist of
nasal, oral and laryngeal sections
what is the function of the oesophagus
Muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach just below the diaphragm.
what cells line the oesophagus
stratified squamous epithelium which extends to the squamocolumnar junction where the oesophagus joins the stomach, recognised endoscopically by zig zag line
what reflex mediates swallowing
complex reflex involving a swallowing centre in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus in the brainstem
what activates the process of swallowing
once the complex reflex is activated the swallowing centre neurones send pre-programmed discharges of inhibition followed by excitation to the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves. This results in initial relaxation , followed by distill progressive activation of neurones to the oesophageal smooth muscle and LOS
what is primary peristalsis
Primary peristalsis is the peristaltic wave triggered by the swallowing center.
what is secondary peristalsis
Secondary peristalsis refers to peristalsis activated by esophageal distention. This can occur physiologically by food left behind after the primary peristaltic wave has passed, or by refluxed contents from the stomach
what nerves supply the smooth muscle to the thoracic oesophagus and LOS
vagal autonomic motor nerves in the myenteric plexus
what is the function of the stomach
It serves as a reservoir where food can be retained and broken up before being actively expelled into the proximal small intestine
what are the 3 layers of smooth muscle on the stomach
outer longitudinal, inner circular and innermost oblique
what are the 2 sphincters at the stomach
gastro-oesophageal sphincter and the pyloric sphincter
what cells are in the upper 2/3 of the stomach
parietal cells that secrete HCL and chief cells which secrete pepsinogen
what does the antral mucosa secrete
it secretes bicarbonate and contains mucous secreting cells and G cells, which secrete gastrin, stimulating acid production
what is the function of the mucosal barrier
Protects the gastric epithelium from damage by acid and for example alcohol, aspirin, NSAIDs
what factors control acid secretion
- Histamine stimulates Gs protein via the H2 receptors and acts via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
- Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) activates the Gi protein and inhibits acid secretion.
- Acetylcholine (ACh) acts via the vagus M3 receptors. ACh also acts via the enterochromaffun cell
- Gastrin acts via the cholecystokinin B (CCKBB)- gastrin receptor, increasing the intracellular free calcium, and also via ECL cell stimulating histamine
where does the small intestine extend from and to
from the duodenum to the ileocaecal valve
what are the 3 sections of the small intestine
duodenum, jejunum and ilium
what creates a large surface area in the small intestines
circumferential mucosal folds that bear multiple finger like projections called villi. On the villi the surface area is increased due to microvilli on the luminal side if the epithelial cells (enterocytes)
what are the spaces between the bases of the villi called
Crypts of Leiberkuhn
where are enterocytes formed
They are formed at the bases of the crypts of leiberkhun and migrate towards the tops of the villi where they are shed
what supply blood to most of the small intestine
via branches of the superior mesenteric artery
what does the enteric nervous system control
the functioning of the bowel: it is an independent system that coordinates absorption, secretion, blood flow and motility.
how does the enteric nervous system communicate with the central nervous system
via autonomic afferent and efferent pathways but can operate autonomously
what are the 2 main ganglionate plexuses of the enteric nervous system
The myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus
what are the interstitial cells of Cajal
govern rhythmic contractions in the small intestine
during fasting what sequence of motor events occurs
A distill migrating sequence of motor events, termed the migrating motor complex (MMC) occurs in a cyclical fashion