The Digestive System

Question 1

The majority of the epithelium in the digestive tract is made of ______ __________ epithelial cells.

Answer 1

simple columnar.

Question 2

Which parts of the digestive system are stratified squamous epithelial cells found in?

Answer 2

Oral cavity, esophagus & anus.

Question 3

Lamina propria is a thin layer of:

Answer 3

loose connective tissue.

Question 4

The muscularis mucosa is a thin layer of ______ ______ for _______.

Answer 4

smooth muscle; folding.

Question 5

What is the submucosa?

Answer 5

Loose connective tissue containing blood vessels, glands & lymphatic tissues.

Question 6

What is Meissner’s plexus has a _______ function.

Answer 6

sensory.

Question 7

Which structures in the digestive tract are under voluntary control?

Answer 7

Mouth, pharynx, upper esophagus & anus.

Question 8

Meissner’s plexus is responsible for sympathetic & parasympathetic innervation of:

Answer 8

smooth muscle layers.

Question 9

What are the 2 types of smooth muscle fibres found in the digestive system?

Answer 9

Inner circular fibres & outer longitudinal fibres.

Question 10

Where is the Auerbach’s plexus located?

Answer 10

The muscularis.

Question 11

Where is Meissner’s plexus located?

Answer 11

The submucosa.

Question 12

The peritoneum secretes a slippery fluid called:

Answer 12

transudate.

Question 13

What are mesenteries?

Answer 13

Fused double sheets of peritoneal membrane.

Question 14

What are the 2 functions of mesenteries?

Answer 14

Stabilize the position of organs & blood vessels.

Provide attachment for blood vessels going to & from the small intestine.

Question 15

The mesentery proper suspends everything but the:

Answer 15

duodenum.

Question 16

The transverse mesocolon is attached to the:

Answer 16

transverse colon.

Question 17

The lesser omentum is the mesentery between the:

Answer 17

stomach & liver.

Question 18

The greater omentum extends from the _______ & covers the rest of the abdominal organs on the ________ surface.

Answer 18

stomach; anterior.

Question 19

The lips & cheeks contain the ___________ muscle.

Answer 19

buccinator.

Question 20

Which structures make up the roof of the oral cavity?

Answer 20

Hard palate, soft palate & uvula.

Question 21

What structure makes up the floor of the oral cavity?

Answer 21

The tongue.

Question 22

Describe the 3 salivary glands that have ducts emptying into the oral cavity.

Answer 22

Parotid glands: anterior & inferior to the ear (partially overlying the masseter muscle).
Submandibular glands: inferior to the body of the mandible.
Sublingual glands: inferior to the tongue.

Question 23

Describe the located of the esophagus relative to the vertebrae, trachea & diaphragm.

Answer 23

In front of (anterior to) vertebrae.
Posterior to trachea.
Pierces the diaphragm at the hiatus.

Question 24

The submucosa of the esophagus is composed of:

Answer 24

large mucous glands.

Question 25

The upper 1/3 of the esophagus’ muscularis is:

Answer 25

skeletal muscle.

Question 26

The middle 1/3 of the esophagus’ muscularis is composed of:

Answer 26

a mix of smooth & skeletal muscle.

Question 27

The lower 1/3 of the esophagus’ muscularis is composed of:

Answer 27

smooth muscle.

Question 28

What are the names and locations of the esophagus’ 2 sphincters?

Answer 28

1. Superior: cricopharyngeal (near larynx).

2. Inferior: gastroesophageal/cardiac (near heart, at the junction of esophagus and stomach).

Question 29

What is GERD?

Answer 29

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: lower esophageal sphincter fails to close so stomach acids enter esophagus (“heartburn”).

Question 30

Describe the 4 parts of the stomach.

Answer 30

Cardia: small, narrow entryway.
Fundus: dome-shaped, elevated portion.
Body: large portion.
Pylorus: narrow, medially directed.

Question 31

Indented depressions in the stomach are called:

Answer 31

gastric pits.

Question 32

What are the 3 layers of smooth muscle muscularis in the stomach?

Answer 32

Outer longitudinal.
Circular.
Inner oblique.

Question 33

What is the stomach serosa composed of?

Answer 33

Simple squamous epithelium over a bit of connective tissue.

Question 34

Describe the 2 areas of gastric mucosa that secrete gastric juice.

Answer 34

Oxyntic mucosa: lines body & fundus of stomach.

Pyloric gland area: lines antrum.

Question 35

Describe the 3 types of gastric exocrine secretory cells.

Answer 35

Mucous cells: secrete thin, watery mucous.
Chief cells: secrete enzyme precursor, pepsinogen.
Parietal (oxyntic cells): secrete HCl & intrinsic factor.

Question 36

What are 3 functions of HCl in the stomach?

Answer 36

1. Activates pepsinogen to pepsin.
2. Breaks down connective tissues & muscle fibres into smaller particles.
3. Kills most microorganisms.