Motility of the GI Tract Lecture (TEST 2) Flashcards
Motility is one of the Major Activities taking place in the GI Tract
- Motility involves the Contraction and Relaxation of the Walls and Sphincters of the GI Tract
Motility is key for:
1) Preparation of Ingested Food or Digestion and Absorption (Grinds, Mixes, and Fragments Foods)
2) Propelling ingested food from the mouth toward the Rectum
- Motility rate is regulates along the GI Tract
The Circular and Longitudinal Muscle of the GI Tract have different Functions
- CIRCULAR MUSCE Contraction DECREASES the DIAMETER of the Segment
- LONGITUDINAL MUSCLE Contraction DECREASES the LENGTH of the Segment
Phasic and Tonic Contractions of Smooth muscle are Key for Motility along the GI Tract
PHASIC CONTRACTION:
- Periodic Contractions followed by Relaxation
- Esophagus, Stomach (Antrum), Small Intestine, and all tissues involved in Mixing and Propulsion
TONIC CONTRACTION:
- Maintain a Constant level of Contraction WITHOUT Regular periods of Relaxation
- Stomach (Orad), Lower Esophagus, Ileocecal, and Internal Anal Sphincter
Slow waves are Unique feature of the GI Smooth Muscle
- SLOW WAVES are Depolarization and Repolarization of the Membrane Potential
- APs occur when the DEPOLARIZATION moves the Membrane Potential to or above the THRESHOLD
- The Mechanical Response (Contraction or Tension) follows the Electrical Response
- Frequency of Slow Waves varies along the GI Tract (3 to 12 waves/ min)
Relationship between Slow Waves, APs, and Contractions in the Smooth Muscle
- In GI Smooth Muscle even Subthreshold Depolarization can produce weak Contraction (BASAL CONTRACTION)
- The Greater the Number of APs on top of the Slow Wave the LARGER the PHASIC CONTRACTION
- **ACETYLCHOLINE = INCREASES the Amplitude of Slow Waves and the Number of APs
- Stretch, Acetylcholine, Parasympathetic
- **NE = DECREASES the Amplitude of Slow Waves
- Norepinephrine, Sympathetics
Interstitial Cells of Cajal are the Pacemaker for GI Smooth Muscle
- Slow Waves ORIGINATE in the INTERSTITIAL CELLS of CAJAL (ICC)
- Slow Waves occur spontaneously in the ICC and spread RAPIDLY to Smooth Muscle via GAP JUNCTIONS
- Electrical Activity in the ICC drives the FREQUENCY of CONTRACTION!!!
Swallowing is Initiated VOLUNTARILY in the Mouth, and after that it is under INVOLUNTARY REFLEX CONTROL
Three Phases of Swallowing:
1) ORAL PHASE:
- Initiates Swallowing Process
2) PHARYNGEAL PHASE:
- Passage of Food through Pharynx into Esophagus
- Soft Palate is pulled UPWARD —> Epiglottis moves —> UES Relaxes —-> Peristaltic Wave of Contractions is initiated in Pharynx —> Food is propelled through open UES
3) ESOPHAGEAL PHASE:
- Passage of Food from Pharynx to Stomach
- Controlled by the Swallowing Reflex and the ENS
a) Primary Peristaltic Wave
b) Secondary Peristaltic Wave
The Involuntary Swallowing Reflex is Controlled by the Medulla
- Swallowing Center is located in the MEDULLA
- Food in the Pharynx —-> AFFERENT Sensory Input vis VAGUS/ GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL Nerve ——> Swallowing Center (Medullar) ——> Brain Stem Nuclei —> EFFERENT Input to PHARYNX
- The Swallowing Center INHIBITS the RESPIRATORY CENTER During the PHARYNGEAL Stage
During the Esophageal Phase there are two types of Peristaltic Waves
1) PRIMARY Peristaltic Wave:
- Continuation of Pharyngeal Peristalsis
- Controlled by the Medulla (Swallowing Center)
- Cannot occur after VAGOTOMY
2) SECONDARY Peristaltic Wave:
- Occurs if Primary Contraction FAILS to EMPTY the Esophagus or when Gastric Contents REFLUX into the Esophagus
- Induced by DISTENTION
- Repeats until Bolus is Cleared
- Both swallowing Center and ENS are Involved
- Can occur in the ABSENCE of Oral and Pharyngeal Phases
- Occurs EVEN AFTER VAGOTOMY!!!!!!
During Swallowing there are Changes in pressure along the Esophagus as Food Bolus Passes through it
- MANOMETRIC Readings from the Esophagus and Stomach show the Changes in INTRALUMINAL PRESSURE BETWEEN SWALLOWS and DURING SWALLOWING
Esophageal Pressure
BETWEEN SWALLOWS:
BETWEEN SWALLOWS:
- Both the UES and the LES are Closed
- The Body of the Esophagus is FLACCID
- The Pressure in the UES > PHARYNX and Body of Esophagus (~ 60 mmHg)
- LES also exhibits elevated Pressure (20 to 40 mmHg)
- Pressures in the Body of the Esophagus are SIMILAR to those within the Body cavity in which the Esophagus lies
a) In the THORAX the Pressure are SUBATOMSPHERJC and VARY WITH RESPIRATION
b) FLUCTUATIONS in Pressure with Respiration REVERSE Below the Diaphragm
c) INTRALUMINAL Esophageal Pressure reflects Intra-Abdominal Pressure
The Intrathorvacic Location of the Esophagus poses a Challenge
TWO PROBLEMS:
1) Keeping AIR OUT of the Esophagus at the Upper End
2) Keeping ACIDIC GASTIC Contents OUT of the Lower End
How Problems are Solved?
- Both UES and LES are Closed, except when Food Bolus is passing from Pharynx to Esophagus or from Esophagus to Stomach
**GASTROESOPHAGEAL Reflux occurs when Intra-abdominal Pressure is INCREASED!!!
Esophageal pressures
DURING SWALLOWS:
DURING SWALLOWS:
- UES Relaxes (Opens = LOW PRESSURE)
- Once the Bolus Passes, the Sphincter CLOSES and assumes its Resting Tone
- PERISTALTIC WAVE (Body of the Esophagus undergoes Peristaltic Contraction = HIGH PRESSURE)
- LES and Upper Part of the Stomach RELAX = RECEPTIVE RELAXATION (Low Pressure
- Opening of LES mediated by PEPTIDERGIC FIBERS In the VAGAL NERVE
a) Vagal Input is INHIBITORY
b) Release of VASOINTESTINAL PEPTIDE (VIP)
c) Role of NITRIC OXIDE (NO) a Neurotransmitter involved in Relaxation of LES has been also Proposed - Receptive Relaxation DECREASES the Pressure in the Upper Region of the Stomach
- After Bolus ENTERS Stomach, LES Contracts (INCREASE Pressure)
Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease
- Heartburn/ Acid Indigestion (1/10 People)
- Backwash of Acid, Pepsin, and Bile into Esophagus (Abnormal Relaxation of the LES)
Some SYMPTOMS:
a) Heartburn
b) Chest Pain
c) Difficulty Swallowing (DYSPHAGIA)
d) Regurgitation of Food (Acid Reflux)
e) Sensation of a lump on your Throat, Dry Cough, Etc.
Can LEAD TO:
a) STRICTURE of Esophagus (Scar Tissue)
b) ASTHMA (Aspiration)
c) Chronic Sinus INFECTION (Reflux in Throat)
d) BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS!!!!!!!
Achalasia
- Greater than 200,000 cases in the US per year
- NEUROGENIC ESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY DISORDER
a) Impaired Peristalsis
b) Lack of LES Relaxation during Swallowing. The LES Stays CLOSED DURING SWALLOWING, resulting in the back up of Food (Causes: LACK of VIP or ENTERIC SYSTEM has been KNOCKED OUT)
c) Elevation of LES RESTING PRESSURE - Results from damage to NERVES in the Esophagus, preventing it from SQUEEZING Food into the Stomach
- May be caused by an ABNORMAL IMMUNE SYSTEM RESPONSE
SYMPTOMS: Backflow of Food in the Throat (Regurgitation), Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia), Vomiting, Chest Pain, Heart Burn, and Weight Loss
TREATMENT: ENDOSCOPIC Therapy or Surgery
The Stomach can be Regionally dived according to DIFFERENCES in Motility in, Addition to its Anatomical Divisions
Anatomical Divisions:
- Fundus
- Body
- Antrum
Two Regions:
- Orad
- Caudad
- A Particularity of the Stomach: It has 3 LAYERS OF MUSCLE:
a) Circular
b) Longitudinal
c) Oblique - EXTRINSIC Innervation: ANS!!!!!!!
- INTRINSIC Innervation: MYENTERIC and SUBMUCOSAL Plexus!!!!!!!
Receptive Relaxation occurs in the ORAD Region of the Stomach
- Th Function of RECEPTIVE RELAXATION is to receive the FOOD BOLUS in the Stomach
RECEPTIVE RELAXATION: DECREASE Pressure and INCREASE Volume of the Orad Region
- Receptive Relaxation is a VASOVAGAL REFLEX!!!!!
- The ORad Exhibits minimal Contractile Activity therefore little mixing of Ingested Food occurs in this region of the Stomach
- CCK DECREASES Contractions and INCREASES Gastric Distenstibility
Mix and Digestion occur in the Caudad Region of the Stomach
- Contractions of the CAUDAD Region of the Stomach serve to both MIX and PROPEL Gastric Contents
- The Primary CONTRACTILE EVENT is PERISTALTIC CONTRACTION (Mid Stomach —> Pylorus)
- AS Contractions approach the pylorus, they INCREASE in BOTH FORCE and VELOCITY
- Max Frequency is ~ 3 to 5 Waves Per Min
- **In the CAUDAD Region, most of the Gastric Contents are PROPELLED BACK into the Stomach for FURTHER MIXING and FURTHER REDUCTION of Particle Size (RETROPULSION!!!!!!!)
- Wave of Contraction closes the Pylorus
- Peristaltic Waves moves from mid Stomach to Antrum
There is NO NET MOVEMENT of Gastric Contents between CONTRACTIONS!!!!**
Regulation of Gastric Contractions
PARASYMPATHETIC Stimulation, GASTRIN, and MOTILIN
- INCREASE AP and Force of Contractions
SYMPATHETIC Stimulation, SECRETIN, and GIP
- DECREASE AP and Force of Contractions
Gastric Emptying is accomplished by coordinated Contractile Activity of the Stomach, Pylorus, and Proximal Small Intestine
Rate of Gastric Emptying is INCREASED By:
a) DECREASED Distensibility of the ORAD
b) INCREASED Force of Peristaltic Contractions of the CAUDAD Stomach
c) DECREASED Tone of the Pylorus
d) INCREASED Diameter and Inhibition of Segmenting Contractions of the Proximal Duodenum
**Gastric Emptying takes ~ 3 Hours!!!!
Gastric Emptying is closely regulated to provide adequate time for Neutralization of Gastric H+ in the Duodenum and sufficient time for Digestion and Absorption
- Regulation of Emptying results from the presence of Receptors that lie in the Small Intestine
Factors that INHIBIT Gastric Emptying:
a) RELAXATION of ORAD
b) DECREASED Force of Peristaltic Contractions
c) INCREASED Tone of Pyloric Sphincter
d) Segmentation Contractions in INTESTINE
Intestinal Mucosal Receptors Trigger Enterogastric Reflexes
- Information from the Duodenal Receptors to the Gastric Smooth Muscle is carried by Neurons of the SUBMUCOSAL and MYENTERIC PLEXUSES
- These receptors repost to the Physical Properties (Ex; Osmotic Pressure) and Chemical Composition (Ex: H+, Fat, and Protein) of the Intestinal Contents
- Receptor Activation TRIGGERS Neural and Hormonal responses that INHIBIT GASTRIC EMPTYING:
a) Fat and Protein induce the release of CCK, which in turn INCREASES GASTRIC DISTENSIBILITY
b) H+ Inhibitory effects are MEDIATED by INTRINSIC NEURAL REFLEX (ENS) involved Interneurons in the Myenteric Plexus