The Alimentary System Flashcards
What are the two groups of organs in the alimentary system?
The digestive tract and the accessory organs.
Name the accessory organs of the alimentary system.
Salivary glands, gallbladder, liver, pancreas.
Where does most of digestion take place?
The stomach and both intestines.
Name the 4 layers of the gastrointestinal system and what their purpose is. (From the shallowest layer to the deepest layer)
Mucosa: Luminal surface, in contact with food and fluids.
3 layers within: Epithelium(glands contained within), lamia proper (connective tissue) and muscularis mucosa (for local movements).
Submucosa: Glands, smaller blood vessels and nerves present.
Muscular externa: Smooth muscle where contractions occur for peristalsis. C.I.L.O.
Adventitia: Major blood vessels and nerves.
Where do the 4 layers run from?
Mouth to anus.
What epithelium is used for protection?
Stratified squamous.
What is metaplasia?
Epithelial tissue’s nature is changed to one that it shouldn’t be.
Name pathologies that involve metaplasia.
Barrett’s oesophagus: Epithelium changes at the junction between the stomach and the oesophagus. Stomach epithelium travels to the oesophagus.
Caused by :
G.O.R.D: Stomach acid enters the oesophagus and alters the epithelium. The metaplasia can lead to dysplasia causing precancerous conditions.
What structures does the stomach have that increases the absorptive surface area?
Villi.
What is coeliac disease?
Loss of grooves on the villi.
A coeliac has atrophy of the villi and hyperplastic crypts.
Name a pathology that only affects the bowel. What is this?
Ulcerative colitis. Breakdown of the tissue in the colon.
Name the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract that results in granulomas forming.
Crohn’s disease.
Name the boundaries of the mouth? (Anterior, lateral, inferior, superior and posterior)
Anterior: Lips. Posterior: Fauces (pillars) Lateral: Cheeks. Superior: Hard palate. Inferior: Mylohyoid and tongue.
Name the 3 salivary glands and the type of secretion they produce.
Parotid: Serous
Sublingual: Mucous.
Submandibular: mixed seromucinous.
What is the virus that attacks the parotid glands?
Mumps.
Name pathologies of the salivary glands. (3)
Sialolithiasis: Calcified saliva forms salivary stones.
Sialadenitis: Inflammation of the salivary glands due to viral/bacterial infection.
Tumours of the salivary glands.
Name the 3 parts of the pharynx.
Nasopharynx: Nose
Oropharynx: Mouth
Laryngopharynx: Throat
Name the sets of tonsils. (4)
Tubal, palatine, pharyngeal (adenoids) and lingual.
What is the purpose of the uvula?
Prevents fluid from entering up the nasopharynx whilst swallowing.
What is the function of the epiglottis?
Acts as a valve, preventing anything from entering the wind pipe.
What is waldeyer’s ring?
Pharyngeal, tubal,lingual and palatine tonsils. Act as the first line of defence from microbes.
Name the boundaries of the laryngopharynx.
Superior: epiglottis.
Inferior: Cricoid cartilage.
What is unique about the cricoid cartilage?
Only entire ring of cartilage in the body.
What hormone causes the voice box to grow outwards during male puberty?
Testosterone.