Microanatomy Flashcards
what are the normal functions of the GI system
- absorption of nutrients from ingested food
2. protection against ingested pathogens
what are the 4 phases of nutrient abospriton
fragmentation
digestion
absorption
elimination
describe fragmentation
- this starts in the oral cavity
- it is aided by saliva
- continues in the stomach and small intestine
describe digestion
- starts int he mount
- continues in the stomach and small intestine
- aided by salivary, gastric and pancreatic secretions, enzymes associated with the brush border of enterocytes and bile salts
describe absorption
- occurs in the jejunum and ileum and is facilitated by the large surface area of these regions and microvilli on enterocytes
- capillaries and lacteals transport absorbed nutrients away from the mucosa
describe elimination
- by defacation of solid faeces occurs after absorption of water in the large intestine
what is the basic structure of the alimentary tract
- basically is an muscular tube with the same basic structure though the length
what are the 4 basic layers in the alimentary tract
- mucosa
- submucosa
- muscularis propria
- adventtia or serosa
what is the mucosa compromised of
- epithelium
- lamina propria
- muscularis mucosa
it varies between regions and changes abruptly at several places for example at the oesophageal gastric junction
describe the submucosa
- loose connective tissue that carries blood and lymphatic vessels and nerves
- ganglion cells found in clusters here form the submucosal (meissner’s) plexus of the enteric nervous system and supply parasympathetic innervation to control the muscularis mucosa, glandular secretion and local blood flow
describe the muscualris propria (externa)
- compromised of an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal smooth muscle layer
- intrinsicu muscle contractions are responsible for peristalsis
- ganglion cells of the myeternic (Auerbach’s) plexus are found between the muscle layers and modulate muscle activity
describe the adventitia or serosa
- when the alimentary tract is located int he peritoneal cavity it is covered by a mesothelium which is supported by a thin loose connective tissue (serosaa)
- in other areas an outer connective tissue layer called the adventitia connects it to underlying tissues, major vessels and nerves travel in this layer
where are vili only found
- only found in the small intestines only
what does the lamina propria do
- supports the epithelium
describe the lamina propria
- very cellular
- has fibroblasts that make the supportive fibrocollagenous extracellular matrix
- has defence cells such as lymphocytes and plasma cells
- it is part of MALT (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue)
- smooth muscle comes up into the villus from the underlying muscularis mucosa, this smooth muscle moves the villus and increases its contact with the watery digesting food in order to aid further digestion and absorption
where does nutrient abospriton occur
small intestine
what happens to the absorbed nutrients
- ## they are carried away in capillaries and lymphatic vessels called lacteals, these carry materials away
what does the smooth muscle do in the lamina propria
- smooth muscle comes up into the villus from the underlying muscularis mucosa, this smooth muscle moves the villus and increases its contact with the watery digesting food (watery digestive food is called chyme) in order to aid further digestion and absorption
what does the oesophagus do
- it conveys food from the oropharynx to the stomach