The GI Tract Flashcards
What is the function of the spleen?
- Ingest food
- Break it down
- Distribute nutrients
- Eliminate solid waste
What are the 4 concentric layers from inner to outer of the GI tract?
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscularis
- Serosa
What is the esophagus?
A muscular tube that courses through the thorax and pierces the diaphragm (around T10) which uses peristalsis and gravity to move food
Where is the esophagus located?
Located anterior and left of aorta
What is the GE junction
Terminal end of the esophagus “door to the stomach”
What is the function of the GE junction?
Opens to allow food to enter stomach and closes to prevent stomach acids to move up
Where is the GE junction located?
- Inferior to the diaphragm
- Anterior and slightly left of aorta
- Posterior to the left lobe of the liver
What is the stomach?
Pouch shaped organ responsible for the collection and breakdown of food and drink.
Where is the stomach located?
Intraperitoneal and between the esophagus and duodenum
In terms the quadrant method where the spleen it located?
Left upper quadrant
What are regae?
Internal folds
What are the parts of the stomach?
- Cardia
- Fundus
- Body
- Pylorus
- Curvatures
What is the cardia of the stomach?
Entrance
What is the fundus of the stomach
Rounded portion above the GE junction
What is the body of the stomach?
Major portion of the stomach
What is the pylorus of the stomach?
Antrum, canal - communicates with 1st part of duodenum
How are the curvatures of the stomach divided?
Divided into lesser and greater
How long is the small intestine?
6-7 meters in length
Where is the small intestine located?
Right lower quadrant and Left Lower quadrant
What are the three parts of the small intestine?
- Duodenum
- Jejunum
- Ileum
What is the duodenum?
Shortest portion or the epigastric region and connects to the pylorus at pyloric sphincter
The duodenum can be divided into how many parts?
Four parts
What is the superior and/or bulb of the duodenum?
1st part of the duodenum which is Intraperitoneal, anterior to pancreatic head and is posterior to gallbladder Fundus
What is the four parts of the duodenum
- Superior/ bulb
- Descending
- Transverse
- Ascending
What is the descending part of the duodenum?
Second part of the duodenum which is retroperitoneal, vertical portion of the duodenum. Which is located right lateral to pancreatic head and posterior to the transverse colon
What is the transverse duodenum?
Third part of the Duodenum which is retroperitoneal, anterior to Aorta/IVS and inferior to pancreatic head
What is ascending duodenum?
Fourth part of the duodenum which is retroperitoneal, inferior and medial to head of pancreas, anterior to aorta, and connects to jejunum
What is the Jejunum?
Second part of the small intestine which is Intraperitoneal, tightly coiled, and mainly in umbilical region
What is the Ileum?
Final and longest portion of the small bowel, which terminates at the junction of the cecum and ascending colon at ileocecal valve.
What is the large intestines (colon)?
“Frames” small intestine, has a greater diameter than small bowel, and haustra
What is the haustra?
Puckered sacs along length of colon
What are divisions of the large intestines?
- Cecum
- Colon
- Sigmoid
- Rectum
- Anus
What is the Cecum?
Pouch like portion at origin of ascending colon. The appendix extends from inferior portion
Where is the cecum located?
RLQ/ Right iliac region
What is the Appendix?
Blind- ended tube which courses inferior and medial but variable
How big is the appendix?
~ 6- 10 cm long
What is the ascending colon?
Retroperitoneal structure that has superior path along the right flank.
What is the hepatic flexors of the ascending colon?
90 degree curve in RUQ and connects ascending and transverse colon
What is the transverse colon?
Intraperitoneal colon which travels horizontal across midline from hepatic flexure to splenic flexure.
How are the flexure positioned in the body in relation to the transverse colon
More posteriorly
What is the descending colon?
Retroperitoneal starts at splenic flexure. The splenic flexure more superior than hepatic flexure.
What is the path of the descending colon?
Inferior path along left flank
What is the sigmoid?
S shaped structure which is the terminal end of the colon located in the left inguinal and suprapubic region
What is the rectum?
End of the Large Intestines located in the true pelvis in the pubic region.
Where is the rectum located?
Posterior to bladder
