Purpose of the Gut

Question 1

What are the main 4 functions of the GI tract?

Answer 1

Food ingestion

Food digestion

Food absorption

Getting rid of what we don’t need + waste products

Question 2

The inside of the gut is lined with cells from which embryological cell line?

Answer 2

Endoderm

Question 3

Define what is meant by the “peritoneal cavity”

What does it contain?

Answer 3

The potential space that exists between parietal and visceral peritoneum

It contains a SMALL amount of peritoneal fluid

Question 4

What is a mesentary?

Question 5

How is the gut tube divided into distinct regions?

Answer 5

Sphincters

Question 6

What is a mesentary?

What are its major functions?

Answer 6

A double fold of peritoneum that suspends the small and large intestine from the posterior abdominal wall

Functions:

Anchors these structures in place while allowing some movement

It acts as a conduit for blood vessels

Question 7

What are the omenta and how do the two omenta differ from each other?

Answer 7

Sheets of visceral peritoneum that extend from the stomach to the proximal duodenum and other abdominal organs

Greater omentum:

Four layers of visceral peritoneum from the great curve of the stomach and proximal duodenum folding back to the anterior surface of the transverse colon

Lesser omentum:

Double fold of visceral peritoneum from the lesser curve of the stomach and proximal duodenum to the liver

Question 8

The lesser omentum can be split into two parts, what are they and how do they differ?

Answer 8

Hepatogastric ligament - broad, flat sheet

Hepatoduodenal ligament - free edge, contains portal triad

Question 9

What is the name of the connection between the lesser and greater sac

Answer 9

Epiploic foramen

Question 10

What are the boundaries of the lesser sac?

Answer 10

Quadrate lobe of the liver

Lesser omentum

Stomach

Gastrocolic ligament