Lessons 15-17 Flashcards
digestive system
organ system that processes food, extract nutrients, and eliminates residue
what are the five stages of digestion
- ingestion
- digestion
- absorption
- compaction
- defecation
five stages of digestion: ingestion
selective intake of food
five stages of digestion: digestion
mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into a form usable by the body
five stages of digestion: absorption
uptake of nutrient molecules into the epithelial cells of the digestive tract and then into the blood and lymph
five stages of digestion: compaction
absorbing water and consolidating the indigestible residue into feces
five stages of digestion: defecation
elimination of feces
mechanical digestion
physical breakdown of food into smaller particles
what are two examples of mechanical digestion
- cutting and grinding action of the teeth
- churning action of stomach and small intestine
what is the purpose of mechanical digestion
exposes more food surface to digestive enzymes
chemical digestion
a series of hydrolysis reactions that breaks dietary macromolecules into their monomers
what carries out chemical digestion
digestive nzymes produced by salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine
what are the four main breakdowns of that occur in chemical digestion
- polysaccharides to monosaccharides
- proteins into amino acids
- fats into monoglycerides and fatty acids
- nucleic acids into nucleotides
what nutrients are ingested as usable material
- vitamins
- amino acids
- minerals
- cholesterol
- water
what are the two subdivisions of the digestive system
- digestive tract
- accessory organs
digestive tract
- 30ft long muscular tube extending from mouth to anus
- mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine
accessory organs of the digestive system
- teeth
- tongue
- salivary glands
- liver
- gallbladder
- pancreas
what are the four layers of the digestive tract innermost to outermost?
- mucosa
- submucosa
- muscularis externa
- serosa
what are the three layers of the mucosa?
- epithelium
- lamina propria
- muscularis mucosae
what are the two layers of the muscularis external?
- inner circular layer
- outer longitudinal layer
what are the two layers of the serosa?
- areolar tissue
- mesothelium
mucosa of the digestive tract layers
lines the lumen
the epithelium of the mucosa what kind of tissue for most of the digestive tract
simple columnar
where is the mucosa not simple columnar tissue? what is it instead?
- mouth through esophagus and the lower anal canal
- stratified squamous
lamina propria of mucosa
loose connective tissue layer
muscularis mucosae of mucosa
- thin layer of smooth muscle
- improves efficiency of digestion and nutrient absorption
how does the muscularis mucosae improve digestion and nutrient absorption efficiency
tenses mucosa creating grooves and ridges that enhance surface area and contact with food
mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue
- abundant in the mucosa
- included lymphocytes and lymph nodes
submucosa of the digestive tract layers
- thicker layer of loose connective tissue
- contains blood and lymphatic vessels, a nerve plexus, and in some spots mucous secreting glands that dump lubricating mucus in the lumen
____ extends into the submucosa in some parts of the GI tract
MALT
inner circular smooth layer of the muscularis externa
- cells encircle tract
- responsible for the motility that propels food and residue through the tract
in some places the inner circular layer of the muscularis externa the layer thickens to form what?
valves that regulate the passage of material through the tract
serosa layer of the digestive tract is composed of
a thin layer of areolar tissue topped by simple squamous mesothelium
where does the serosa begin?
in the lower 3-4 cm of the esophagus and ends just before the rectum
some organs do not have serosa. what are they covered with instead?
adventitia
adventitia
fibrous connective tissue layer that binds and blends into adjacent organs
what parts of the digestive tract have adventitia rather than serosa
- pharynx
- most of the esophagus
- rectum
enteric plexus
nervous network in esophagus, stomach, and intestines that regulates digestive tract motility, secretion, and blood flow
innervation of the enteric plexus
- can function independently of CNS but it usually exerts influence on its action
- often considered part of ANS
- two networks of neurons
- sensory neurons included
what are the two networks of neurons that make up the enteric plexus
- submucosal plexus
- myenteric plexus
submucosal plexus
- found in submucosa
- controls glandular secretions of mucosa and movements of muscularis mucosae
myenteric plexus
- ganglia and nerve fibers between the two layers of the muscularis externa
- controls peristalsis and other contractions of muscularis externa
what do the sensory neurons in the enteric plexus do?
monitor tension in gut wall and conditions in lumen
mesentery
connective tissue sheet that suspends stomach and intestines from abdominal wall
the looseness of the mesentery allows for what to occur?
the stomach and intestines to undergo strenuous contractions with freedom of movement in the abdominal cavity
what are the functions of the mesentery (3)
- hold abdominal viscera in proper relationship to each other
- prevent intestines from becoming twisted and tangled by changes in body position and by their own contractions
- provide passage of blood/lymphatic vessels and nerves that supply the digestive tract
intraperitoneal
when an organ is enclosed by mesentery (serosa) on all sides
which organs are considered intraperitoneal?
- stomach
- liver
- jejunum and ileum of small intestine
- appendix, cecum, transverse, and sigmoid colon of large intestine
retroperitoneal
- when an organ lias against the posterior body wall and is covered by peritoneum on its anterior side only
- considered outside the peritoneal cavity
what organs are considered retroperitoneal?
- duodenum
- pancreas
- ascending colon, descending colon, and rectum of large intestine
what controls the motility and secretion of the digestive tract? (3)
neural, hormonal, and paracrine mechanisms
neural controls of the digestive tract (2)
- short (myenteric) reflexes
- long (vagovagal) reflexes
short (myenteric) reflexes
- stretch or chemical stim acts through myenteric plexus
- stims peristatic contractions of swallowing
long (vagovagal) reflexes
parasympathetic stim of digestive motility and secretion
what are two hormones secreted in the blood that stimulate parts of the digestive tract?
- gastrin
- secretin
paracrine secretions stimulate
nearby target cells
the mouth is aka (2)
- the oral cavity
- buccal cavity
functions of the mouth (4)
- ingestion
- taste and other sensory responses to food
- chewing and chemical digestion
- swallowing, speech, and respiration
functions of the cheek and lips (3)
- retain food and push it between the teeth
- involved in speech
- essential for sucking and blowing actions (suckling)
tongue
muscular, bulky, but agile and sensitive organ of the mouth
functions of the tongue
- manipulate food between teeth
- senses taste and texture of food
lingual papillae
bumps and projections that are the sites of most taste buds
body of the tongue
- anterior two-thirds of tongue
- occupies the oral cavity
root of the tongue
- posterior one third of the tongue
- occupies the oropharynx
vallate papillae
a v-shaped row of papillae that mark the boundary between the body and root of the tongue
intrinsic muscles of the tongue
- entirely contained in tongue
- produce subtle tongue movements of speech
extrinsic muscles of tongue
- with attachments outside of tongue
- produce stronger movements of food manipulation
lingual glands
- serous and mucous glands within tongue amid the extrinsic muscles
- secrete a portion of the saliva
lingual tonsils contained where?
in the root of the tongue
the palate functions (2)
- separates oral cavity from nasal cavity
- makes it possible to breathe while chewing food
hard palate
anterior portion that is supported by the palatine processes of the maxillae and the palatine bones
palatine rugae
transverse ridges that help the tongue hold and manipulate food
soft palate
posterior to hard palate with more spongy texture
uvula
- conical medial projection visible at the rear of the mouth
- helps retain food in the mouth until one is ready to swallow
how many adult teeth are there?
32
teeth are collectively called
the dentition
functions of the teeth (4)
- function to break food into smaller pieces
- makes food easier to swallow
- exposes more surface area for action of digestive enzymes
- speedy chemical digestion
mastication
- breaks food into smaller pieces to be swallowed and exposes more surface to digestive enzymes
- first step in mechanical digestion
how does mastication occur? (3)
- food stims oral receptors that trigger an involuntary chewing reflex
- tongue and other muscles in oral cavity manipulate food
- masseter and temporalis elevate the lower teeth to crush food
functions of saliva (6)
- moistens mouth
- begins starch and fat digestion
- cleanses teeth
- inhibits bacterial growth
- dissolves molecules so they can stim the taste buds
- moistens food and binds it together into a soft mass to aid in swallowing
saliva is a _____ solution of _____ water
- hypotonic
- 97-99.5%
what is the pH of saliva?
6.8-7
what are the solutes found in saliva? (6)
- mucus
- electrolytes
- lysozymes
- IgA
- salivary amylase
- lingual lipase
mucus in saliva
binds and lubricates a mass of food and aids in swallowing
electrolytes of saliva
slats of Na+, K+, Cl-, phosphate, and bicarbonate
lysozymes of saliva
enzyme that kills bacteria
IgA of saliva
antimicrobial antibody
salivary amylase of saliva
enzyme that begins starch digestion in the mouth
lingual lipase of saliva
enzyme that begins fat digestion in the mouth (mainly after food is swallowed)
what are the two types of salivary glands
- intrinsic (minor) salivary glands
- extrinsic (major) salivary glands
intrinsic (minor) salivary glands
- small glands dispersed amid other oral tissues
- secrete saliva at constant rate whether eating or not
extrinsic (major) salivary glands
three pairs of larger, more discrete organs connected to oral cavity by ducts
what are the three major salivary glands?
- parotid glands
- submandibular glands
- sublingual glands
parotid glands are located where?
beneath the skin anterior to the earlobe
submandibular glands are located where?
halfway along the body of the mandible
sublingual glands are located where?
in the floor of the mouth
the sublingual glands have several ducts that empty where?
posterior to the papilla of the submandibular duct
extrinsic salivary glands secrete about ___ of saliva a day
1-1.5 liters
______ respond to signals generated by presence of food
salivary nuclei in medulla oblongata and pons
salivary nuclei are excited by what?
tactile, pressure, and taste receptors
salivary nuclei receive input from higher brain centers. explain why.
odor, sight, or thought of food stims salivation
salivary glands send signals by way of what kind of fibers via what two nerves.
- autonomic fiber
- facial and glossopharyngeal nerves
parasympathetic fibers of the salivary nuclei
stim the glands to produce an abundance of thin, enzyme-rich saliva
sympathetic fibers of salivary nuclei
stims the glands to produce less, and thicker saliva with more mucus
pharynx
- muscular funnel connecting oral cavity to esophagus and nasal cavity to larynx
- where digestive and respiratory tracts intersect
what are the two layers of muscle within the pharynx
- deep longitudinal skeletal muscle
- superficial circular skeletal muscle
what is the function of the superficial circular muscle layer of the pharynx
forms the pharyngeal constrictors that force food downward during swallowing
how many pharyngeal constrictors are there and what are they called?
- 3
- superior, middle, inferior
when not swallowing what is the inferior constrictor doing? this constrictor is aka
- contracted to exclude air from the esophagus
- upper esophageal sphincter
esophagus
straight muscular tube 25-30 cm long between pharynx and stomach
the esophagus extends from
pharynx to cardiac orifice of stomach passing through esophageal hiatus in diaphragm
lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
- inferior end of esophagus
- prevents stomach contents from regurgitating into the esophagus and protects esophageal mucosa form erosive stomach acid
heartburn
burning sensation produced by acid reflux into the esophagus
deglutition
- complex action involving over 22 muscles in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus
- swallowing
- coordinated by swallowing center
swallowing center
- pair of nuclei in medulla oblongata
- communicates with muscles of the pharynx and esophagus
what are the three phases of swallowing
- oral phase
- pharyngeal phase
- esophageal phase
oral phase of swallowing
- voluntary control
- tongue forms food bolus by pressing food into hard palate and the pushes it into laryngopharnyx
pharyngeal phase of swallowing
- involuntary control
- palate, tongue, vocal cords, and epiglottis block the oral and nasal cavities and airway while pharyngeal constrictors push the bolus into the esophagus
what is the role of the epiglottis in the oral phase of swallowing
it tips posteriorly to allow food to go into the laryngopharynx without traveling into the larynx
what is the purpose of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
prevents food and drink from reentering mouth or entering the nasal cavity
esophageal phase of swallowing
peristalsis drives bolus downward and relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter admits it into the stomach
peristalsis
circular muscle constricts above bolus, relaxes below bolus
when food and liquid is swallowed upright what happens
drops through esophagus by gravity faster than peristalsis can keep up with it
stomach
muscular sac in upper left abdominal cavity immediately inferior to diaphragm
functions of the stomach
- food storage
- mechanically breaks up food particles, liquefies the food, and begins chemical digestion of proteins and fat
chyme
- the result of the stomach breaking down materials
- acidic, soupy mixture of semi-digested food that passes on to the small intestine
what are the four regions of the stomach
- cardiac part
- fundic region (fundus)
- body
- pyloric part
cardiac part of stomach
- small area within about 3 cm of the cardiac orifice
- entry point of material from esophagus
fundic regions (fundus) of the stomach
dome superior to the esophageal attachment
body of the stomach
makes up greatest part of distal to cardiac orifice
pyloric part of stomach
- narrower pouch at inferior end
- subdivided into the antrum and the pyloric canal that terminates at the pylorus
pylorus
narrow passage to duodenum
pyloric sphincter
- ring of smooth muscle around pylorus
- regulates the passage of chyme into the duodenum
describe the mucosa of the stomach
- covered with simple columnar epithelium
- apical region are filler with mucin
how does mucin become mucus
swells with water
what do the mucosa and the submucosa look like when the stomach is full? empty?
- flat when full
- have longitudinal gastric rugae
the muscularis externa of the stomach has ___ layers. everywhere else has ___ layers.
- three
- two
what are the three layers of the muscularis externa in the stomach
- outer longitudinal
- middle circular
- inner oblique
what cell types can be found in the stomach mucosa?
- mucous cells
- regenerative (stem) cells
- parietal cells
- chiefs cells
- enteroendocrine cells
mucous cells in stomach
secrete mucus
regenerative (stem) cells of stomach
divide rapidly and produce continual supply of new cells to replace cells that die
parietal cells of stomach
secrete hydrochloric acid, intrinsic factor, and ghrelin
ghrelin
stimulates hunger feeling
chief cells of the stomach
- most numerous cell type
- secrete gastric lipase and pepsinogen
enteroendocrine cells of stomach
secrete hormones and paracrine messengers that regulate digestion
gastric pits of the gastric mucosa
depressions in gastric mucosa lined with the same columnar epithelium as the surface
gastric juice
- 2-3L per day produced by the gastric glands
- mainly a mixture of water, HCl and pepsin
functions of the HCl (3)
- activates pepsin and lingual lipase
- breaks up connective tissues and plant cell walls helping to liquify food and form chyme
- contributes to innate immunity by destroying most ingested pathogens
pepsin
- released by chief cells as the inactive form pepsinogen
- digests dietary proteins into shorter peptides
how is pepsin activated
HCl removes some of the amino acids from pepsinogen to form pepsin
autocatalytic effect in pepsin
as some pepsin is formed it converts more pepsinogen into more pepsin
the digestion of proteins is incomplete in the stomach. where does it finish?
in the small intestine
gastric lipase
- released from chief cells
- plays a minor role with lingual lipase in the digestion of dietary fats
- digests 10-15% of dietary fats in stomach
where is most all fat digested?
small intestine
intrinsic factor
- glycoprotein secreted by parietal cells
- essential to absorption of B12 by small intestine
how does intrinsic factor help in the absorption of B12?
binds B12 and then intestinal cells absorb this complex by receptor-mediated endocytosis
B12 is needed to synthesize
hemoglobin
pernicious anemia
anemia caused by a deficiency of B12
____ is the only indispensable function of the stomach
secretion of intrinsic factor