Physiology - Gastrointestinal Block Flashcards
What are the three main functions of the GI tract?
Digestion
Absorption
Excretion
What are the names for the three cell layers of the esophagus?
Functional;
prickle;
basal
What two layers protect the gastric epithelium from acidic conditions?
The mucosal layer (superficial) and unstirred water (deep) layers
Does the esophagus have a mucus or unstirred water barrier?
Neither
(only a small amount of bicarbonate from swallowed saliva)
If the mucus and unstirred water layers are depleted, how can gastric epithelium protect itself against stomach acid?
H+ entry into the cell via cation channels is blocked via pH regulation of these channels
True/False.
Some H+ can slip past the tight junctions binding gastric epithelium.
True.
(This will be buffered by the bicarbonate-rich interstitium.)
What are the three buffers to counteract acidity within the gastric epithelium?
Proteins;
bicarbonate;
phosphate
Describe the cell and interstitial acidifier(s) of the gastric epithelium.
Describe the cell alkalinizer(s) of the gastric epithelium basolateral membranes.
The pH of what compartment will determine the intracellular pH of gastric epithelia?
The interstitial pH
(i.e. if the interestitial pH falls, the basolateral epithelial transporters cause a fall in pH in the cells.)
What is the stomach pH at rest?
What is the stomach pH when eating?
~3
1 - 2
What is the stomach alkaline tide?
Parietal cells producing HCl also produce intracellular HCO3-;
this HCO3- then travels through the bloodstream to the surface epithelial cells to contribute to the surface mucosal protection
(A rise in acid leads to a rise in base)
If the epithelium of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum is damaged and the basement membrane is intact, how long will healing take?
If the epithelium of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum is damaged and the basement membrane is destroyed, how long will healing take?
30 - 60 minutes (restitution by migration of adjacent cells);
days/weeks/months (regeneration)
What are the two main types of repair for the esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum?
Restitution (rapid migration of adjacent cells to cover injury);
regeneration (reparative mechanisms; new synthesis of proteins/basement membrane/cells)
True/False.
The mucosal/unstirred water layers in the stomach can entrap damaged epithelial and connective tissue contents, creating an extra buffering layer over ulcerations and damage.
True.
Which prostaglandin is protective for the gastric mucosa?
Which enzyme produces it?
PGE2;
COX-1
What are the effects of PGE2 on the gastric mucosa?
Increased mucus/HCO3- secretion;
increased blood flow;
promotes epithelial restitution
How do NSAIDs cause gastric upset?
By inhibiting PGE2 production by COX-1
COX-__ produces __, which has protective/regenerative effects on the gastric mucosa.
1;
PGE2
Do VIOXX or Celebrex cause gastric upset?
Why or why not?
Should they be prescribed for every day aches and pains?
No;
it only blocks COX-2 (leaving PGE2 production uninhibited);
no –> only blocking COX-2 leads to excess thromboxane production by COX-1
Barrett’s esophagus is a metaplasia of __________ epithelium to _________ epithelium in the ___________.
Stratified squamous,
simple columnar;
esophagus
What is a major risk of Barrett’s esophagus?
Adenocarcinoma development
What are the two main layers of the muscularis externa?
What lies between them?
The inner circumferential layer and the outer longitudinal layer;
the myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus + connective tissue
Which layer of the muscularis externa is more responsible for GI tract shortening and which is more responsible for peristalsis?
Shortening - longitudinal layer;
peristalsis - circular layer
Which small intestine plexus is sensory?
Which is motor?
Meissner’s (submucosal);
Auerbach’s (myenteric)
What are the two main substances controlling muscle contraction in the gut?
(What does each do?)
Acetylcholine (activation);
nitric oxide (relaxation)
How long does it typically take a bolus to travel down the esophagus?
And the stomach?
And the small intestine?
And the large intestine?
7 seconds;
3 - 4 hours;
2 - 3 hours;
2 - 3 days
What are the three phases of swallowing?
Which are voluntary?
Oral (voluntary),
pharyngeal (medulla control),
esophageal (medulla control)
What happens during the muscular contractions of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?
Soft palate closure of the nasopharyngeal isthmus;
epiglottis closure of the larnyx
Via what nerve does the medullary swallowing center control pharyngeal and esophageal function?
The Vagus n.
What substance mediates cardiac sphincter relaxation in the lower esophagus?
Nitric oxide
What are the three nuclei of the medullary swallowing center?
Nucleus solitarius (sensory);
nucleus ambiguus (skeletal muscle);
nucleus dorsal motor (smooth muscle)
What is the state of the lower esophageal sphincter when one is not swallowing (i.e. ‘at rest’)?
Constricted
(smooth muscle locking mechanism)
Why is the lower esophageal sphincter necessary under normal conditions?
Gastric pressures (positive abdominal p.) are higher than esophageal pressures (negative intrathoracic p.)
What is secondary peristalsis?
Stretch reflex for the stuck bolus (that wasn’t successfully moved by the primary peristalsis)
Primary esophageal peristalsis is caused by:
Secondary esophageal peristalsis is caused by:
Swallowing;
esophageal distention (stuck bolus)
For what purpose does the lower esophageal sphincter naturally relax in a transient manner?
Due to gastric distention to allow for gas release
(belch reflex)
Where does swallowed food initially collect?
The gastric fundus
What portion of the stomach has the pacemaker zone?
What is its basal electrical rhythym?
The upper body (corpus);
3 waves / min
What part of the stomach is the ‘storage’ portion immediately after eating?
Via what mechanism?
The fundus;
receptive relaxation
Gastrin secretion increases following _________ distention.
Antral (of the gastric antrum)
Distention of the gastric antrum causes an increase in __________ secretion.
Gastrin
What size particles does the pyloric junction allow through to the duodenum?
≤ 2 mm
What is the purpose of enterochromaffin cells in the duodenum?
To regulate the chyme entering the duodenum
(via secretin, cholecystokinin, and the vagovagal reflex)
Low pH in the duodenum is sensed by ____________ cells and ____________ is released.
Enterochromaffin;
secretin
High osmolality in the duodenum is sensed by ____________ cells and the ____________ is activated.
Enterochromaffin;
vagovagal reflex
High fat content in the duodenum is sensed by ____________ cells and ____________ is released.
Enterochromaffin;
cholecystokinin
What effect do each of the following, respectively, have on gastric emptying?
Secretin
The vagovagal reflex
Cholecystokinin
Decrease
Decrease
Decrease
What are secretin’s effects?
To neutralize acidity in the duodenum
- increased pancreatic HCO3- secretion
- increased Brunner’s glands secretion
- decreased gastric emptying
What are cholecystokinin’s effects?
To optimize digestion (especially of fat)
- increased pancreatic enzyme secretion
- increased gallbladder contraction
- decreased gastric emptying
True/False.
The larynx depresses during deglutition.
False.
The larynx rises during deglutition.
Where is calcium absorbed in the small intestine?
Where is iron absorbed in the small intestine?
Where is vitamin B12 absorbed in the small intestine?
Where are bile salts absorbed in the small intestine?
The duodenum and proximal jejunum;
the duodenum and proximal jejunum;
the terminal ileum;
the terminal ileum
What substance(s) is(are) absorbed in the terminal ileum?
Vitamin B12;
bile salts
True/False.
Segmentation waves help push boluses down the small intestine in the process of peristalsis.
False.
Segmentation waves push chyme in both directions, mixing and churning it.
What is the basal electrical rhythym in the duodenum?
What is the basal electrical rhythym in the jejunum?
What is the basal electrical rhythym in the ileum?
12 waves / min
10 waves / min
8 waves / min
______________ causes smooth muscle contraction in the gut.
______________ causes smooth muscle relaxation in the gut.
Acetylcholine;
nitric oxide
What is the ileo-colic reflex?
Upon gastric distention, the ileum empties its content into the colon to make room for incoming material
When the colonic smooth muscle contracts, the ileocecal valve is ____________.
When the ileal smooth muscle contracts, the ileocecal valve is ____________.
Closed (acetylcholine);
open (nitric oxide)
Why is the ileocecal valve important?
To prevent regurgitation of fecal material and bacteria into the small intestine
Describe the migrating motor complex.
When does it occur?
A peristaltic wave that passes from the gastric antrum to the ileocecal valve;
every two hours post-prandial
You ate an hour ago. Is the migrating motor complex active in your small intestine?
No;
it begins 2 hours after eating and repeats every 2 hours of fasting
How can objects larger than 2 mm get past the gastroduodenual junction?
Migrating motor complexes empty all stomach contents (starting 2 hours after eating and repeating every 2 hours)
How much of the H2O present in the large intestine is absorbed?
~90%
Does stool become softer or firmer as it spends time in the colon?
Firmer
What is the large intestine equivalent of the segmentation waves found in the small intestine?
What is the term given to peristaltic waves found in the large intestine?
Haustration (colon mixing waves);
‘mass movements’
How is mass movement in the colon different from small intestine peristalsis?
Large segments of colon can all contract simultaneously, pushing masses of fecal material to distal regions
What is the defecation reflex?
Internal anal sphincter relaxation triggered by feces entering the rectum
What two muscles are the major players in fecal continence?
External anal sphincter;
puborectalis
What occurs if fecal material enters the anal canal (after triggering the defecation reflex and internal anal sphincter relaxation) and is inhibited for a period of time by the puborectalis and external anal sphincter?
Receptive relaxation in the rectum to accomodate more volume (taking the strain off the anal canal)
What is the gastroileal reflex?
Food enters the stomach –> the ileum expels its contents into the colon
Food enters the stomach –> the colon expels its contents into the rectum
What is the gastrocolic reflex?
Food enters the stomach –> the colon expels its contents into the rectum
Which salivary gland secretes α-amylase?
Which salivary gland secretes lipase?
Parotid;
sublingual
Which salivary gland(s) secrete(s) more viscous (less serous and more mucinous) fluid?
Sublingual, submandibular
Describe the basic structure of a salivary gland acinus.
How do salivary glands eject their contents?
Myoepithelial cells
Salivary glands drain from small ________ ducts into larger ________ ducts and, finally, into ________ ducts.
Intercalated,
striated,
excretory (interlobular)
What major protein type is secreted in serous salivary fluid?
What major protein type is secreted in mucinous salivary fluid?
Zymogens;
mucins
Besides salivary transport, what effect do intercalated ductal cells have on the acinar fluid coming from the salivary glands?
Increased HCO3- and K+;
hypotonic fluid produced
What are some of the roles of saliva?
Defense (antibacterial, acid neutralization, cleansing);
solvation (taste facilitation);
lubrication;
digestion
Name the major chemicals found in saliva.
Water;
HCO3-
Name the individual functions of the following three substances found in the saliva:
Lactoferrin
Muramidase
EGF
Lactoferrin - antibacterial; binds iron
Muramidase - antibacterial; hydrolyzes cell walls
EGF - stimulates cell growth and repair
True/False.
Proton pump inhibitors can decrease risk of bacterial colonization of the small intestine.
False.
Proton pump inhibitors can increase risk of bacterial colonization of the small intestine (by neutralizing the acid defense).
How does EGF selectively initiate growth and repair in damaged tissues around the mouth or stomach?
Damage to tissues allows EGF to bypass the epithelium and stimulate underlying proliferative cells
Name the major defensive proteins found in saliva.
Mucins;
lactoferrin;
muramidase;
EGF
Name the major digestive proteins found in saliva.
α-amylase;
lingual lipase;
R protein
What does salivary R protein do?
Binds vitamin B12 –>
facilitates its binding to intrinsic factor
What protein increases blood flow to the salivary glands?
Salivary kallikrein
Saliva is which: isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic?
What decides its tonicity?
Hypotonic;
flow rate
(**slower flow = lower tonicity due to increased Na+ and Cl- reabsorption)
Why is it important that saliva be hypotonic?
So ingesting food doesn’t cause it to be overly hypertonic and dehydrating for the rest of the GI tract
When acinar fluid is first ultrafiltrated into the salivary glands, it is isotonic.
What happens next?
HCO3- and K+ are secreted
+
Na+ and Cl- are reabsorbed;
the fluid becomes hypotonic
True/False.
The acinar cells of the salivary glands are similar to renal tubular cells in that they have various apical and basolateral transporters ferrying ions around the system.
True.
- (NaCl reabsorption;*
- KHCO3 secretion)*
Identify which regulates salivary secretion: hormonal control, neural control, or both.
Neural control only
(mainly via sensory reception of chemoreceptors and pressure receptors)
Which has a stimulatory effect on salivary glands, parasympathetic or sympathetic innervation?
Which has a much stronger effect?
Both;
parasympathetic
Which causes an increase in salivary gland secretion of protein-rich (mucinous) saliva, parasympathetic or sympathetic innervation? (Via what intracellular signalling molecule?)
Which causes an increase in salivary gland secretion of protein-poor (serous) saliva, parasympathetic or sympathetic innervation? (Via what intracellular signalling molecule?)
Sympathetic (cAMP);
parasympathetic (Ca2+)
Which nuclei trigger parasympathetic increases in salivation?
To what ganglia?
The superior and inferior salivary nuclei (via CNs VII and IX);
submandibular and otic
Which salivary gland is only innervated by parasympathetic nerves?
Parotid
T1-T2 sympathetic nerves run from the ___________________ ganglia to which salivary glands?
Superior cervical;
sublingual, submandibular
What secondary messenger will norepinephrine trigger in salivary gland acinar cells?
What secondary messenger will acetylcholine trigger in salivary gland acinar cells?
cAMP;
IP3 + Ca2+
What is ‘water brash’?
The clinical phenomenon of the body neutralizing heartburn by increasing parotid gland secretion
What is ‘cotton mouth’?
Dry, mucinous mouth following sympathetic stimulation
What is a common cause of xerostomia?
Sjogren’s disease
(dry eyes, dry mouth, arthritis)
How much saliva does the average individual produce per day?
How much gastric acid does the average individual produce per day?
- 5 L
- 5 L
Name the major sphincters of the GI tract.
Upper esophageal s.
Lower esophageal (cardiac) s.
Pyloric s.
Ileo-cecal valve
Internal + external anal s.
True/False.
Substances ≤ 2 mm cannot pass through the pyloric sphincter.
False.
Substances > 2 mm cannot pass through the pyloric sphincter.
Does any absorption happen in the stomach?
Yes
(of non-polar substances such as alcohol and NSAIDs)
What type of epithelium are the surface mucus cells of the stomach?
Simple columnar
What two cell types of the gastric glands stimulate acid secretion by the parietal cells?
Via what substances?
G cells (gastrin);
enterochromaffin cells (histamine)
Name all seven cell types found in a gastric gland.
Why do the mucus neck cells and surface mucus cells of the stomach secrete different types of mucus?
The surface cells secrete insoluble mucus (so the unstirred water layer will form beneath);
the neck cells secrete soluble mucus so the gland doesn’t become occluded
What cell type of the gastric gland inhibits parietal cell secretion of gastric acid?
Via what substance?
D cells;
somatostatin
Describe the general locations of D cells, G cells, chief cells, enterochromaffin-like cells, parietal cells, mucus neck cells, and surface mucus cells in the gastric glands.
Enterochromaffin-like cells secrete ___________ to __________ gastric acid secretion by the parietal cells.
Histamine;
increase
G cells secrete ___________ to __________ gastric acid secretion by the parietal cells.
Gastrin;
increase
What two proteins are secreted by gastric chief cells?
Pepsinogen;
gastric lipase
How is pepsinogen activated?
Low pH
(optimal 1.8 - 3.5)
Increased flow rate of gastric acid secretion will lead to an ____________ (increase/decrease) of HCl secretion.
Increase
When is the peak proton secretion in the stomach greatest?
3 hours post-prandial
Gastric parietal cells are characterized by high concentrations of what organelles?
Mitochondria;
intracellular cannaliculi;
SER (fuse to form the cannaliculi)
From an intracellular perspective, what happens when a gastric parietal cell is stimulated?
SER tubulovesicular membranes fuse to form intracellular cannaliculi;
increase in proton pumps;
increase in mitochondria
Where do the protons secreted from parietal cells originate?
H2CO3 formation via carbonic anhydrase
What is the main proton pump of the parietal cell apical membrane?
What two leak channels are also present?
The H+/K+ exchanger ATPase;
K+, Cl-
H+ is secreted at the apical membrane of parietal cells in exchange for what other ion?
K+