Small Intestine BASICS Flashcards
What are the three portions of the small intestine?
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
How long are the three portion of the small intestine and what are the main roles of each of the sections
The duodenum: (0.25 m) - key roles in digestion and gut regulation The jejunum (2.5 m) - key roles for absorption The ileum (3.75 m) - key roles for absorption
What is a noteworthy feature of the epithelial layer of the small intestine?
Finger like projections called villi that increase internal SA and are motile with rich blood supply and lymph drainage
How is the mucosae arranged?
In folds like a concertina
What are the invaginations in the small intestine called
cyrpts of Lieberkuhn
What are enterocytes?
Cells most abundant in the gut and are responsible for absorption
What do enterocytes look like?
Tall columnar epithelia with microvili on apical surface and nucleus that sits toward basolateral membrane along with mitochondria
What populates the apical region of the enterocyte?
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
How are enterocytes connected to each other?
Tight junctions
What is the lifespan of enterocytes?
between 1 and 6 days
What is the enterocyte apical surface also referred to as and why?
Brush border
Each cell has approx 2000 microvilli on apical surface
What are the carbs found on the apical membran eof the enterocytes called?
Rich network of carbohydrates called glycocalyx
What does the glycocalyx do on enterocytes?
Help trap a layer of water, mucus and enzymes on the surface of call to protect it from the luminal contents eg enzyme that may damage the cell/membrane and regulate digestion and absorption
What is the unstirred layer?
The layer of water, mucus and enzymes that has the rich network of carbs called glycocalyx
What is found in the apical part of the goblet cytosol?
Mucin granules that distort the shape of the cell
What does mucous consist of?
Water and glycoproteins
What does mucous do?
Serve as lubricant to facillitate gut passage, especially useful bc water constantly being absorbed so steadily dehydrates contents
How does the number of goblet cells change along entire length of the intestine?
Increases along the length due to water slowly absorbed so food bolus slowly drier
What are enteroendocrine cells?
Hormone secreting epithelial cells that secrete into the local blood supply
What are examples of enteroendocrine cells?
G-cells secrete gastrin
I-cells secrete cholecystokinin
S-cells secrete secretin
D-cells secrete somatostatin
What do enteroendocrine cells look like?
Roughly columnar in shape and sensory apparatus is the apical portion with collections of manufactured hormones found near the basolateral membrane
What does a closed enteroendocrine cell mean?
Not exposed to the gut lumen at all
What are paneth cells?
Immunological cells that help protect stem cells and engulf bacteria and regulate intestinal flora
What do paneth cells contain?
Lots of acidophillic granules
Lysozyme: antibacterial enzyme
Glycoproteins: protect local cells from enzymes
Zinc: common cofactor for lysozymes
Where are paneth cells located?
Near stem cells at the bottom of crypts
Where are stem cells in the small intestine found?
Pluripotent stem cells proliferate in the crypts and move up the sides of the villus towards the tip where they become senescent and naturally slough off, get broken down and reabsorbed
What do stem cells allow in the small intestine?
Effects of gut borne toxins/drugs to eventually run their course - it is easier to continualy replace these cells than protect the huge no. of cells at risk
Lesions will be short lived and repaired quickly