Upper GI Tract Flashcards
What is digestion?
The process of breaking down macromolecules to allow absorption
What is absorption?
The process of moving nutrients and water across a membrane
What are the 4 main layers of the gut wall?
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis
Serosa/ Adventitia
What are the three layers of the mucosa?
- epithelium
- lamina propria (loose connective tissue)
- muscularis mucosae
Which layers of the gut wall contain nerve plexuses?
Submucosa and muscularis
What are the two types of muscles found in the muscularis?
Circular and longitudinal
What is found in the submucosa?
Nerve plexuses and submucosal glands
What is found in the muscularis layer?
Longitudinal muscle
Circular muscle
Nerve plexuses
How many teeth are present in adults in total?
32
How many of each type of teeth are present in the oral cavity?
8 incisors
4 canines
8 premolars
12 molars
Which muscle is the largest jaw muscle and responsible for biting?
Masseter
What does saliva contain?
Aqueous secretion and digestive enzymes
Which digestive enzymes does saliva contain?
Lingual lipase - fit digestion and salivary amylase - carbohydrate digestion
What are the main salivary glands?
Parotid gland
Sublingual gland
Submaxillary gland
What are the intrinsic muscles of the tongue responsible for?
fine motor control & moving food
What are the extrinsic muscles of the tongue responsible for?
gross movement of tongue (in, out, up & down)
Assists mechanical digestion
What are the subdivisions of the oesophagus?
Cervical
Thoracic
Abdominal
Which vertabrae does the oesophagus lie between?
C5 to T10
What is the function of the oesophagus?
Conduit for food, drink & swallowed secretions from pharynx to stomach
Describe the epithelium of the oesophagus?
- Non-keratinising
‘- Wear & Tear’ lining (extremes of temp. & texture) - Contains mucus secreting glands
What are the muscles found at the top and bottom of the oesophagus?
Upper oesophageal sphincter and lower oesophageal sphincter
what is the role of mucus in the oesophagus?
Aids the pasage of food and drink
What is the Z line in the oesophagus?
Line where the pink mucosa of the oesophageal sqaumous epithelium meets the red mucosa of the gastric columnar epithelium
What is the significance of this Z line in Barrett’s oesophagus?
Here, the epithelium of the lower oesophagus undergoes metaplasia
So the gastric mucosa extends into the oesophagus, meaning it would be important to determine the Z line in these cases
Why does this epithelial transition at the gastro-oesophageal junction occur and how does this develop to cancers?
Acid reflux means that the upper oesophagus is more acidic than normal
To cope with this, the squamous cells above the gastro-oesophageal junction become columnar epithelium
This change to columnar epithelium makes the cells unstable, leading to dysplasia and then becomes cancers
Is skeletal muscle found in the upper or lower oesophagus?
Both
Is smooth muscle found in the upper or lower oesophagus?
Lower
How does the anatomical orientation of the stomach to the oesophagus reduce the risk of acid reflux?
reflux is prevented by the diaphragm and the angle of the stomach to the oesophagus
What are gastric folds called and what is their purpose?
Rugae - they increase surface area so more digestion and absorption can occur
What is the role of circular and longitudinal muscle in peristalsis?
Circular muscle pushes, longitudinal muscle propagates