Physiology: Small Intestine and Exocrine Pancreas Flashcards
What is approximate length and diameter of small intestine?
Approx. 6-7m long and 3.5cm diameter
What are the 3 parts of the small intestine and their corresponding lengths?
- duodenum approx 30cm
- jejenum approx 3.5m
- ileum approx. 2.5m
What is succus entericus?
Intestinal juice secreted
What does motility of the small intestine cause?
- mixing of chyme with digestive juices - segmentation
- slow propulsion of food aborally - peristalsis
- movement of undigested residues to large intestine via the ileocaecal valve - migrating motor complex
How is the surface of the small intestine adapted for increased surface area?
- circular folds of Kerckring AKA plicae circularis
- villi
- microvilli - brush border
What is “chopping” in the small intestine?
It is the alternating contraction and relaxation of segments of circular muscle for chyme mixing
How is “chopping” in segmentation initiated?
It is initiated by small intestine pacemaker cells which cause the basic electrical rhythm which is continuous. When the BER reaches threshold segmentation is intiated
What causes threshold to activate segmentation in duodenum?
Distension caused by entering chyme
Which part of the small intestine has more frequent segmentation contractions ?
Duodenum - movement is slightly aboral but is slow for absorption
What enhances and decreases strength of segmentation contractions respectively?
Parasympathetic enhances
Sympathetic decreases
What triggers segmentation in the empty ileum?
Gastrin from the stomach (gastroileal reflex)
What is the gastroileal reflex?
Segmentation in the empty stomach by gastrin from the stomach
In what state does segmentation occur?
Digestive state
How does peristalsis occur in the interdigestive (fasting) state?
as a few localised contractions
What is the migrating motor complex? (MMC)
a strong peristaltic contraction that slowly passes along the length of the intestine (from stomach to ileocaecal valve)
How often does migrating motor complex occur?
every 90-120 mins between meals
What is the function of the MMC?
To clear debris, mucous and sloughed epithelial cells between meals
What inhibits the MMC?
Feeding and vagal activity
What stimulates MMC?
motilin
What suppresses MMC?
- gastrin
- CCK
Why do macrolides (e.g. erythromicin) sometimes cause GI disturbances?
They mimic the effect of motilin
What 7 peptide hormones are secreted by endocrine mucosal cells in the small intestine?
- gastrin
- secretin
- cholecystokinin (CCK)
- glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP aka gastric inhibitory peptide)
- glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)
- motilin
- ghrelin
What receptors do peptide hormones act on?
G-protein coupled receptors
What cells secrete gastrin and where is it secreted?
- G cells
- gastric antrum (mainly) and duodenum
What 2 effects does gastrin have?
- stimulates H+ secretion by parietal cells
2. stimulates growth of gastric mucosa (trophic effect)
What cells secrete secretin and where is it secreted?
- S cells
- duodenum
What stimulates S cells to release secretin?
H+ and fatty acids in lumen
What effect does secretin have?
Promotes secretion of pancreatic and biliary HCO3-