Small & Large Intestine Flashcards
What is the embryological origin of the Small Intestine?
Derived from the foregut (proximal part of duodenum) & midgut (from apex of duodenal loop onwards)
What are the 5 main functions of the SI?
• Mechanical digestion & mixing chyme from stomach with various secretions – segmentation
• Secretions – water, ions, mucous (receives bile & pancreatic juice)
• Chemical digestion of nearly all nutrients
o Enzymes from pancreas & small intestine, bile emulsifies fats
• Absorption of nearly all nutrients, most water, ions
• Move chyme along to large intestine (peristalsis)
What are the parts of the SI?
- Duodenum – first 20-25cm (above the level of the umbilicus)
- Jejunum – proximal 2/5 of small intestine after duodenum
- Ileum – distal 3/5
What are the 4 parts of the duodenum?
• From pyloric sphincter to duodenojejunal flexure
• C shaped structure above the level of the umbilicus
• 4 parts: superior, descending, horizontal, ascending
o Descending part contains the major duodenal papilla which is the common entry point for the bile duct & pancreatic duct. It also contains the minor duodenal papilla, which is the entrance for the accessory pancreatic duct
Name the Functions of the Duodenum
- Receives chyme from stomach => highly acidic
- Neutralised by duodenal gland secretions (mucous & bicarbonate) bile from liver & gallbladder, as well as pancreatic juice from the exocrine pancreas
- Involved in regulating gastric emptying, gallbladder contraction, secretion by pancreas & liver (endocrine, neural)
- Because the duodenum is quite short there is some (but limited) digestion & absorption
What are some of the substances secreted in the duodenum?
o Duodenum secretes CCK, GIP & Secretin which act on chief & parietal cells in the stomach to inhibit gastric secretions
What is the function of the Jejunum?
- Mixes chyme with bile & pancreatic juice & small intestine secretions – segmentation
- Peristalsis – moves contents along
- Most chemical digestion & most absorption occurs here
What are the functions of the Ileum?
• Segmentation, peristalsis
• Processes continue but largely finish up
o Some chemical digestion
o Some absorption
• Vitamin B12 complexes with intrinsic factor
• Iron complexes
Describe the surface anatomy of the small intestine:
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
• Duodenum:
o Umbilicus or epigastric regions (or both)
o Right upper quadrant & extends a little bit into the left upper quadrant
• Jejunum & ileum
o All 9 regions; dominates the umbilicus & hypogastric regions
Describe Segmentation in the SI.
What is it controlled by?
How many slow wave potentials and cycles per minute?
• Serves to mix digestive tract contents – brings chyme into contact with the intestinal wall
• Contraction & relaxation of short lengths of smooth, inner circular muscle
o Work over short segments (1-5cm) of the small intestine
• Controlled locally by the enteric nervous system (pacemakers)
• Slow wave potentials; depolarization/repolariesation, at about 12-15 (in duodenum) to 6-9 (ileum) cycles per minute – action potentials cause contraction (segmentation
Describe Peristalsis
- Peristalsis – waves of relaxation & contraction of circular muscle, with leading wave of contraction of longitudinal muscle
- To propel contents along length of SI
- Occur over 10-70cm of SI
- Migrating motility complex – during fasting, intense peristaltic contractions progressing from duodenum to ileocaecal junction, once every 1.5 hours
How is motility of the Small Intestine Regulated?
• Local mechanical & chemical stimuli (eg distension, low pH, digestion products etc) are detected by enteric nervous system (local reflexes)
• Smooth muscle contraction controlled by enteric nervous system (local reflexes)
• 3-5 hours is typical transit time through small intestine
o Most digestion & absorption occurs here
Describe the ileocaecal Sphincter
- At junction of ileum & caecum of large intestine
- Relaxes to allow chyme from ileum to caecum
- Tonically contracts to prevent reflux
- Stronger contraction as caecum distends
What are the functions of the Large Intestine?
• Secretions – primarily mucous
• Absorption of most remaining water & ions, some nutrients
o Less amounts of water & ions which were protective against the compacted& dehydrated faeces
• Bacteria perform some digestion
• Compaction of remaining luminal contents
• Peristalsis to move faeces along
• Storage & defecation (elimination) of faeces
What are the parts of the Large Intestine?
- Caecum, appendix (hangs off inferior part of caecum), ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon (s shaped), rectum, anal canal
- Right colic (hepatic) flexure (junction between ascending & transverse colon), left colic (splenic)
What are the taeniae coli?
3 discontinuous bands of outer longitudinal muscle
What is the Haustra?
o small pouches caused by sacculation, give the colon its segmented appearance
o Contraction of outer longitudinal layer causes this sacculation
What are the epiploic (omental) appendices
peritoneal covered accumulations of fat associated with the colon