The Oesophagus and Stomach Flashcards
State the basic plan of the gut wall from the lumen outwards.
Mucosa (epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae), submucosa, muscularis externa, serosa/adventitia
There are nerve plexuses in the submucosa and muscularis
Serosa is a mixture of connective tissue and epithelium
Adventitia is only connective tissue
What vertebral level does the oesophagus start at?
C5
How long is the average oesophagus?
25-30 cm
At what vertebral level does the oesophagus pierce the diaphragm?
T10
Describe the cell type in the upper oesophagus and the reason for having this cell type.
Non-keratinising stratified squamous - this is good for protection - acts as a barrier and prevents the loss of water through the epithelium
What are the two important sphincters in the oesophagus?
Upper oesophageal sphincter and the lower oesophageal sphincter
Describe the difference in structure of the lower and upper oesophageal sphincters.
The upper oesophageal sphincter is made up of only skeletal muscle whereas the lower oesophageal sphincter consists of both skeletal and smooth muscle.
What state are the sphincters in when there is no food in the mouth?
They are tonically active meaning that they are both closed.
What happens when food goes into the mouth?
When food goes into the mouth, a reflex is set up by the swallowing centre in the brain leading to peristalsis.
How does muscle type change as you pass down the oesophagus?
You go from skeletal to smooth muscle as you move down the oesophagus.
How does the innervation change as you pass down the oesophagus?
It goes from motor neurones to autonomic nervous system as you move down the oesophagus.
What two types of muscle are in the oesophagus?
Circular and longitudinal
What is the difference between the primary and secondary peristaltic waves?
Secondary peristaltic wave is initiated after the primary if the food gets stuck.
The lower oesophageal sphincter is not considered a true anatomical sphincter. What is it formed by?
Diaphragm (muscular part), greater curvature of the stomach folding inwards, difference in pressure between the thorax and abdomen
What are the gastric folds in the stomach lining called and what is the point in them?
Rugae - they increase surface area