Motility of GI System Flashcards
What involves the contraction and relaxation of the walls and sphincters of the GI tract?
Motility
–>regulated along GI tract
What are the functional layers of the GI tract?
Mucosal layer -->muscularis mucosae Submucosa Muscle layers Serosa
What is another name for serosa?
visceral peritoneum
What are the muscle layers of the GI tract?
Oblique
Circular
Longitudinal
What SM changes the shape and surface area of epithelium when it is contracted?
Muscularis Mucosae
Where is the submucosal plexus located?
Between submucosa and muscle layer
Where is the myenteric plexus?
between circular and longitudinal muscle layers
Circular M contraction ________ the diameter of the segment
decreases
Longitudinal M contraction _______the length of the segment
decreases
Are slow waves action potentials?
NO
What modulates the generation of AP and strength of contractions?
neural activity and hormonal activity
When do action potentials occur in the GI tract?
when the depolarization via slow waves moves the membrane potential goes above threshold
What contractions are periodic and followed by relaxation?
phasic
Where are phasic contractions located?
- esophagus
- stomach (antrum)
- SI
- tissues mixing and propulsion
What contractions are maintained at a constant level WITHOUT regular periods of relaxation?
tonic contractions
Where are tonic contractions?
- stomach (orad)
- lower esophageal
- ileocecal
- internal anal sphincters
What is the relation of strength of contractions with AP and slow waves?
Greater number of AP on top of slow waves–>larger contraction
What increases ampitude of slow waves?
ACh
What increases the number of AP in GI tract?
ACh
What decreases the amplitude of slow waves?
NE
Movements of GI are controlled by what plexus?
Myenteric
What plexus controls GI secretions and local blood flow?
Submucosal
What part of the ENS generates spontaneous slow wave activity?
Pacemaker regions in both plexuses
What cells are the pacemaker for GI smooth muscle?
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)
What do ICC do in GI smooth muscle?
generate and propagate slow waves
–>spontaneous slow waves generated and spread via gap jxns
–>electrical activity in them drive frequency of contractions
What innervaets the muscles of mastication?
trigeminal N
What is caused by a chewing reflex?
mastication
What part of the swallowing phase is voluntary?
oral phase (initiates swallowing process)
Describe the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
Involuntary
soft palate goes up–>moves epiglottis–>relaxes UES–> peristaltic wave initiated in pharynx–>food propelled through open UES
What controls the esophageal phase of swallowing?
swallowing reflex and ENS
What controls the involuntary swallowing reflex?
Medulla via vagus/glossopharyngeal input
What wave of the esophageal phase cannot occur after vagotomy?
primary peristaltic wave
Compare control of primary vs secondary peristaltic waves in swallowing pathway
Primary controlled by medulla only
Secondary controlled by medulla and ENS
What occurs if primary peristaltic wave fails to empty esophagus or d/t gastric reflux into esophagus?
secondary peristaltic wave
Can the secondary peristaltic wave occur after vagotomy?
Yes
The secondary peristaltic wave can occur in absence of _________
oral and pharyngeal phases
What occurs in achalasia?
impaired peristalsis, incomplete LES relaxation during swallowing or elevation of LES resting pressure
What are the consequences of achalasia?
backflow of food in esophagus (regurg)
difficulty swallowing liquids and solids (dysphagia)
heartburn
chest pain
Why does achalasia occur?
Decreased ganglion cells in myenteric plexus d/t incomplete migration of NCC
–>damages inhibitory neurons that produce NO/VIP in esophagus so it can’t squeeze food into stomach
What causes GERD?
changes in barrier between esophagus and stomach
–>LES weakens or relaxes abnormally
What conditions can cause GERD?
Pregnancy
following large meal
heavy lifting
–>any increase in intragastric pressure (lowers LES pressure)
Intragastric pressure increases cause ______that ultimately lead to GERD
persistent reflex and inflammation
What are complications of GERD?
- GI bleeding
- Esophagitis
- Stricture of esophagus
- Barrett’s esophagus
Backwash of ______occurs in GERD
bile, pepsin, acid
What are the extrinsic innervations of the stomach?
PNS, SNS
What are the intrinsic innervations of the stomach?
ENS
What region of the stomach does receptive relaxation occur in?
orad region–>minimal contractile activity
Define receptive relaxation
decreased pressure d/t increased volume of orad region