Upper GI Flashcards
What is digestion?
Process of breaking down macromolecules to allow absorption.
What is absorption?
Process of moving nutrients and water across a membrane.
Outline the basic plan of the gut wall
Mucosa: Epithelium, Lamina propria (loose connective tissue), Muscularis mucosae
Submucosa: Connective tissue containing nerve plexus
Muscularis: Smooth muscle containing nerve plexus
Serosa/adventitia: Connective tissue +/- epithelium
What do the upper, mid and hind gut consist of respectively?
Upper - Oesophagus + stomach, which arise from the foregut. Liver, pancreas, GB and a portion of duodenum.
Mid - SI and portion of LI including transverse colon.
Hind - Lower GI tract, entire colon, rectum + anus
What 2 layers make up the muscularis?
Inner circular and outer longitudinal muscle layer
List all teeth in the oral cavity.
8 incisors
4 canines
8 premolars
12 molars
What is the largest muscle in the oral cavity?
Masseter muscle - responsible for biting.
What are the salivary glands?
Parotid, sublingual and submandibular.
(Food mixed with saliva (aqueous secretion and digestive enzymes)).
What do the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue control?
Intrinsic - Fine motor control and moving food.
Extrinsic - Gross movement of tongue (in, out, up and down) + assists mechanical digestion.
What is the function of the oesophagus?
Conduit for food, drink and swallowed secretions from pharynx to stomach.
Describe the epithelium of the oesophagus.
Non-keratinising squamous epithelium preventing wear and tear of lining → protects from acid reflux (Extremes of temperature and texture).
Lubrication - mucus secreting glands and saliva
What separates the oesophagus from the stomach?
Zigzag (Z) line
What are rugae?
Gastric folds
Why are gastric folds present?
Increase SA of epithelia of GI tract so that more digestion and absorption can occur.
Outline the 4 phases of swallowing.
Stage 0 - Oral phase:
Chewing and saliva prepare bolus. Both oesophageal sphincters constricted.
Stage 1 - Pharyngeal phase
Pharyngeal musculature moves bolus towards oesophagus.
Stage 2 - Upper oesophageal phase
Upper sphincter closes. Superior circular muscle rings contract and inferior rings dilate. Sequential contractions of longitudinal muscle.
Stage 3 - Lower oesophageal phase.
Lower sphincter closes as food passes through.