Secretions Of The GI Tract Flashcards
What are the functions of the salivary glands?
Initial digestion of starches and lipids
Dilution and buffering of ingested food
Lubrication of ingested food with mucus
Describe the parotid gland
Composed of serous cells
Secrete fluids composed of water, ions and enzymes (rich in amylase which digests starches)
Secretes 25% of the daily output of saliva
Describe sub axillary and sublingual glands
Mixed glands composed of both serous and mucous cells
Secrete aqueous fluid and mucin glycoprotein for lubrication
Secrete the remainder 75% of daily output saliva
The acinar cells located in an acinus of a salivary gland secrete what?
The initial saliva
What are myoepithelial cells?
Located in salivary glands
Have motile extensions
When stimulated by neural input they contract to eject saliva into the mouth
Describe the intercalated duct of a salivary gland
Saliva in the intercalated duct is similar in ionic composition to plasma
Describe the striated duct of a salivary gland
Lined by columnar epithelial cells (ductal cells)
Ductal cells modify the initial saliva to produce the final saliva (hypotonic)
Ductal cells alter the concentration of various electrolytes
What is saliva composed of?
H2O, electrolytes, alpha-amylase (sensitive to pH and is deactivated in the stomach), lingual lipase (begins lipids digestion), kallikrein (proteases and vasodilator that increases blood flow to the salivary gland and increase production of saliva) and mucous
Compared to plasma, saliva is what?
Hypotonic
Greater K+ and HCO3- concentrations
Lower Na and Cl concentrations
Describe the parasympathetic innervation of salivary glands
Presynaptic nerves originate at facial and glossopharyngeal nerves
Postsynaptic fibers in autonomic ganglia innervate individual glands
Describe the sympathetic innervation of salivary glands
Preganglionic nerves originate at the cervical ganglion whose postganglionic fibers extend to the glands in the periarterial spaces
What are two unusual features in the regulation of salivary secretion?
Exclusively under the control of the ANS
Salivary secretion is increased by both parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation
What are the main components of gastric juice?
HCl, pepsinogen, mucosa and intrinsic factor (and H2O)
What is the role of HCl in gastric juice?
Necessary for the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin
Kills a large number of bacteria that enter the stomach
What is the role of pepsinogen in gastric juice?
Inactive precursor
Gets cleaved into pepsin and works with HCl to initiate protein digestion
What is the role of mucus in gastric juice?
Lines the wall of the stomach and protects it from damage
Lubricant
Together with HCO3 it neutralizes acid and maintains the surface of the mucosa at neutral pH
What is the role of intrinsic factor in gastric juice?
Required for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the ileum
What is the role of water in gastric juice?
Medium for the action of HCl and enzymes
Solubilizes much of the ingested material