Lecture 5: Motility of GI System Flashcards
What does motility involve?
Contraction and relaxation of the walls and sphincters of the GI tract
What are the layers of the GI tract, inside to outside?
1. Mucosa Layer
- Epithelium
- Lamina propria (connective tissue)
- Muscularis mucosae (Changes shape & SA of epithelium)
2. Submucosa Layer
- Submucosal/Meissner Plexus——
3. Muscular Layer
- Circular Muscle
- Myenteric Plexus
- Longitudinal Muscle
4. Serosa
What is the muscularis mucosae?
Smooth muscle that controls the shape and surface area of the epithelium
What occurs with contraction of the circular muscle
contraction decreases the diameter of segment
circular = contracts
During contractions, what does the longitudinal muscle do?
Lengthen segment
longitudinal = lengthen
Describe slow waves.
Depolarization and repolarization of the membrane potential to allow action potentials to occur more easily.
When membrane potential crosses threshold, AP can occur.
What are phasic contractions?
Periodic contractions followed by relaxation
- Esophagus*
- Antrum of stomach*
- SI*
- GI tissues involved in mixing and propulsion*
Which organs utilize phasic contractions?
Esophagus
Antrum of stomach
Small intestine
Tissues involved in mixing and propulsion
What are tonic contractions?
Constant level of contraction w/o regular periods of relaxation
Which organs utilize tonic contractions?
Orad of stomach
Lower esophagus
Ileocecal junction
Internal anal sphincters
What NT increases the amplitude of slow waves and action potential?
Acetylcholine
Think parasympathetic = rest & digest. AcH is NT released by postsynaptic neuron in PNS
What NT decreases the amplitude of slow waves and action potential?
Norepinephrine
Think sympathetic = fight or flight = don’t want to be pooping. NE is NT released by postsynaptic neuron in Sympathetic system
What is the Enteric NS
Branch of ANS that consists of the Submucosal plexus (Meissner’s) & Myenteric plexus (Auerbach’s) that control the GI system
What does the Submucosal plexus control
GI secretions and local blood flow. Senses the lumen environment.
What does the Myenteric (Auerbach’s) Plexus control?
GI movement. Relaxation and contraction of the intestinal wall.
What cells are considered the pacemaker cells of the GI system - generate and propagate slow waves?
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)
What is the relationship between interstitial cells of Cahal (ICCs) and GI motility
ICCs generate and propagate slow waves to smooth muscles (circular & longitudinal) via gap junctions. If slow waves reache threashold, an AP is generated which leads to contraction of the smooth muscles
What are the swallowing phases & are they voluntary or involuntary?
Oral phase - voluntary
Pharyngeal phase - involuntary
Esophageal phase - involuntary
List the steps of the pharyngeal phase
- Soft palate is pulled upward
- Epiglottis moves to cover larynx
- UES relaxes
- Peristalic wave of contraction is initiiated in pharynx
- Food is propelled through open UES
Describe the swallowing reflex
- Somatosensory receptors detect food in pharynx
- Afferent sensory information is sent through the Vagus N. & Glossopharyngeal N.toswallowing center in the medulla.
- Swallowing center sends efferent motor info to muscles of pharynx and upper esophagus causing the UES to relax