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Gastro-intestinal Tract > Upper GI TRACT > Flashcards

Upper GI TRACT Flashcards

1
Q

6 functions of the GI Tract?

A 
Ingestion
Mechanical processing
Digestion
Secretion
Absorption
Excretion
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2
Q

What is ingestion?

A

An active process involving conscious choice where materials enter the digestive tract

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3
Q

What does mechanical processing of the GI entail?

A

Crushing up of food so it can easily travel along the digestive tract (not needed in liquid foods)

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4
Q

Why is it important for food to be crushed up and therefore increasing it’s surface area?

A

Makes it easier and quicker for enzymes to break it down so the body can use it

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5
Q

What is digestion?

A

Chemical breakdown of food into small fragments which are absorbable by the digestive epithelium (protein molecules must be broken down to be absorbed)

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6
Q

What is secretion?

A

The release of water, acids, enzymes and salts by the epithelium of the digestive tract

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7
Q

What is absorption?

A

Movement of electrolytes/vitamins/water across the digestive epithelium and into digestive tract (into the interstitial fluid)

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8
Q

What is interstitial fluid?

A

Body fluid between blood vessels and cells - contains nutrients (from capillaries) and holding waste products (from cells after metabolism)

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9
Q

What is excretion?

A

The removal of waste from body fluids

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10
Q

What four layers make up the alimentary canal?

A

Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis externa
Serosa

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11
Q

What is the Mucosa?

A

The inner lining of the digestive tract (a mucous membrane - secretes mucous and hormones)

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12
Q

What is the alimentary canal?

A

A long muscular tube of organs (esophagus/stomach/intestine) running from the mouth down to the anus

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13
Q

What is the digestive tract made up of?

A

The alimentary canal and other digestive organs (liver/pancreas)

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14
Q

What is the purpose of the mucosa?

A

To absorb nutrients from the end products of digestion and also protect the system against infection

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15
Q

What is the mucosa surrounded by?

A

Digestive epithelium (either simple or stratified depending on which part of the GI tract it is lining)

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16
Q

What are PLICAE?

A

Transverse folds in the lining of the digestive tract which expand and disappear as the tract fills and empties

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17
Q

What is the purpose of PLICAE?

A

To increase the surface area - increasing the area available for absorption of liquids and nutrients

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18
Q

What is the LAMINA PROPRIA?

A

The external part of the mucosa (the inner lining), consisting of blood vessels/nerve endings/smooth muscle cells

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19
Q

What is the submucosa?

A

The second inner layer of the alimentary canal - joins the mucosa to the overlying covering muscle

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20
Q

What does the submucosa consist of?

A

Larger blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and exocrine glands

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21
Q

What is the Muscularis Externa?

A

The third layer of the alimentary canal, surrounding the submucosa

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22
Q

What is the purpose of the Muscularis Externa?

A

The smooth muscle layers control waves of contractions (peristalsis) which move boluses of matter from one part of the digestive system to another

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23
Q

What is peristalsis controlled by?

A

The parasympathetic division of the autonomic NS

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24
Q

What is the serosa?

A

The outer most layer of the alimentary canal

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25
Q

What surrounds the Serosa?

A

A serous membrane known as the visceral peritoneum

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26
Q

Which structures of the GI Tract do not have an outer Serosa layer?

A

The oral cavity, pharynx and oesophagus - these are attached to close structures by fibrous connective rissues (adventitia)

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27
Q

What are the two components of the superior (above) boundary of the oral cavity?

A

The hard palate and the soft palate

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28
Q

What are the 4 components of the posterior (back) boundary of the oral cavity?

A

Uvula
palatine tonsil
Root of the tounge
Lingual tonsil

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29
Q

What are the components of the inferior (below) boundary of the oral cavity?

A

The Geniohyoid and the Mylohyoid muscles - support the floor of the mouth

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30
Q

What are the the three components of the anterior (front) and lateral boundary of the oral cavity?

A

Labium(lip), cheek, body of the tounge

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31
Q

What forms the roof of the oral cavity?

A

The hard palate

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32
Q

How do the uvula and toungue work together?

A

The tongue covers the floor of the buccal cavity which joins the uvula to prevent food entering the pharynx prematurely

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33
Q

What are the four functions of the oral cavity?

A

Sensory analysis
Mechanical processing
Lubrication
Digestion

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34
Q

What lines the oral cavity?

A

The oral mucosa which has a stratified squamous epithelium

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35
Q

What are the main actions of the mouth/oral cavity?

A

To sense the food/material before swallowing, mash the materials into a bolus, mix with mucous/saliva to break down carbs and lipids

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36
Q

What is the mucosa of the cheeks supported by?

A

By pads of fat and buccinator muscles

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37
Q

What is the vestibule of the mouth?

A

The space between the teeth and the cheeks/lips

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38
Q

What is the gingiva?

A

The space between the teeth and the gums (small layer on/under bottom of teeth) -

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39
Q

What is the mouth responsible for?

A

Mechanical breakdown of food into a bolus before swallowing

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40
Q

What process does the mouth start off?

A

Chemical digestion

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41
Q

What is lingual lipase?

A

A digestive enzyme

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42
Q

What is the function of lingual lipase?

A

Starts the process of breaking down larger fatty chains into small bits before they enter the duodenum

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43
Q

What is the duodenum?

A

The first section of the small intestine, located between the stomach and the middle section of the small intestine

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44
Q

What is salivary amylase?

A

The primary enzyme in saliva

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45
Q

What is the function of salivary amylase?

A

Starts the process of breaking down carbohydrates (polysaccharides broken down to disaccharides)

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46
Q

What are the functions of the tounge?

A

Mechanical processing
Can bring food into the oral cavity
Forms words
Sensory organ for taste

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47
Q

What are the three surface features of the tongue?

A

Filiform papillae
Fungiform papillae
Circumvallate papillae

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48
Q

What is the purpose of the filiform papillae?

A

Provide roughness and grip

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49
Q

What is the purpose of the fungiform papillae?

A

Contains the taste buds

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50
Q

What is the purpose of the circumvallate papillae?

A

It is the boundary between the body and the root of the tongue

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51
Q

Where about on the tongue are the filiform papillae and the fungiform papillae?

A

Both are scattered over the main body of the tongue

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52
Q

What two sections can the tongue be divided into?

A

The pharyngeal (root), and the body (oral portion)

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53
Q

What is the dorsum?

A

The superior surface of the tongue

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54
Q

What are the lingual papillae?

A

Small projections on the thick epithelium of the tongue body which help move materials

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55
Q

What is the lingual frenulum?

A

A thin fold of mucous membrane which joins the inferior surface of the tongue to the base of the oral cavity

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56
Q

What PH does lingual lipase work well at?

A

3.0 - 6.0

57
Q

Where can we detect bitter tastes?

A

Base of the tongue

58
Q

Where can we detect sour tastes?

A

Middle of the sides of the tongue

59
Q

Where can we detect salty tastes?

A

Extends down the sides from tip to the middle

60
Q

Where can we detect sweet tastes?

A

On the tip of the tongue

61
Q

What are the three pairs of salivary glands which secrete into the oral cavity?

A

Parotid
Sublingual
Submandibular

62
Q

What do the parotid glands secrete into the oral cavity?

A

Salivary amylase

63
Q

What do the sublingual glands secrete into the oral cavity?

A

Lubricant (buffer)

64
Q

What do the submandibular glands secrete into the oral cavity?

A

Buffer, glycoproteins and amylase

65
Q

What is a buffer?

A

Organic substances that maintain a constant PH over a given range by neutralising the effects of hydrogen ions

66
Q

Where are the parotid glands?

A

In front of and just below each ear

67
Q

What is the Stensen’s duct?

A

Where saliva drains from the duct (parotid gland) into the mouth

68
Q

Where are the sublingual glands found?

A

In the floor of the mouth

69
Q

Where are the submandibular glands found?

A

On both sides, just under and deep to the jaw, towards the back of the mouth

70
Q

What is a crown?

A

Exposed portion of tooth covered with enamel

71
Q

What is a root

A

The internal portion of a tooth beneath the gums, anchored by periodontal ligaments

72
Q

What is the purpose of the teeth?

A

To further break down food, increasing its SA for digestion

73
Q

What is the purpose of incisors?

A

Cutting and shredding food

74
Q

What is the purpose of canines?

A

For piercing and tearing food

75
Q

What is the purpose of premolars?

A

For grinding and crushing food

76
Q

What is the purpose of molars?

A

For grinding food

77
Q

Where are the incisors found and what is their structure?

A

The front of the mouth, blade shaped and single rooted

78
Q

Where are the canines found and what is their structure?

A

In between incisors and premolars, conical with a pointed tip and single rooted

79
Q

Where are the premolars found and what is their structure?

A

In between the canines and the molars, flattened crowns with prominent ridges (can have 1 or 2 roots)

80
Q

Where are the molars found and what is their structure?

A

At the far sides, after the premolars - large flattened crowns (can have 3 or 4 roots)

81
Q

What is the oesophagus?

A

A muscular tube, connecting the pharynx to the stomach

82
Q

What characteristics does the oesophagus have?

A

25-30 cm

Lined with squamous epithelium which is then columnar epithelium when it meets the stomach

83
Q

What does the oesophagus do?

A

Propels food from the oral cavity to the stomach

84
Q

At what point does the bolus enter the stomach?

A

At the esophageal hiatus

85
Q

What do the esophageal glands do?

A

Produce mucus to lubricate

86
Q

What does the esophageal sphincter do?

A

Prevent back flow into the oral cavity

87
Q

What does the cardiac sphincter do?

A

Prevents back flow into the esophagus

88
Q

What are the phases of swallowing?

A

Oral stage
Pharyngeal phase
Oesphageal phase

89
Q

What is deglutition?

A

Process of swallowing

90
Q

What passageway allows for the swallowing of food/liquid and air?

A

Pharynx

91
Q

What happens in the oral stage of swallowing?

A

The upper esophageal sphincter is contracted so the bolus of food remains in the oral cavity

92
Q

What happens in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?

A

The upper esophageal sphincter is relaxed so the bolus can pass down the esophagus

93
Q

What happens in the oesophageal phase of swallowing?

A

The upper esophageal sphincter is contracted as there is no bolus of food that needs to pass down the esophagus

94
Q

What is the purpose of the stomach?

A

Storage of ingested food
Mechanical breakdown
Action of acids/enzymes to break down food
Production of intrinsic factor

95
Q

Where is the stomach located?

A

On the left hand side of the upper abdomen

96
Q

What is intrinsic factor?

A

A glycoprotein - the presence is required for absorption of vit b12 in the small intestine

97
Q

What is chyme?

A

When ingested materials combine with stomach acids/enzymes

98
Q

What four regions is the stomach divided into?

A

The cardia, the pylorus, the cundus, the body

99
Q

What is the cardia?

A

The smallest region of the stomach - contains many mucous glands to help protect the link to the esophagus from harmful stomach acids

100
Q

What is the cundus?

A

The main portion of the stomach which touches the posterior diaphragm

101
Q

What is the body of the stomach (description wise)?

A

The largest section of the stomach - acts as a mixing tank. Gastric glands are located in underlying mucosa and secrete the acids/enzymes for gastric digestion

102
Q

What is the pylorus?

A

It connects the stomach to the duodenum (first part of small intestine)

103
Q

What does the muscular pyloric sphincter do?

A

Regulates the release of chyme into the duodenum

104
Q

What does the hormone gastrin do?

A

Regulates activity of the gastric glands

105
Q

What two parts does the pylorus divide into?

A

The pyloric antrum (connects to body) and the pyloric canal (which empties into the duodenum)

106
Q

Purpose of goblet cells in the GI tract?

A

Secrete mucus to coat the stomach and prevent it from being digested itself

107
Q

Purpose of simple columnar epithelium in the GI tract?

A

Contains gastric pits which secrete gastric juices

108
Q

Purpose of parietal cells in the GI tract?

A

Secretes hydrochloric acid 9converts pepsinogen into pepsin) and intrinsic factor (needed for vit B absorption)

109
Q

Purpose of chief cells in the GI tract?

A

They secrete pepsinogen (gets converted into pepsin to help protein digestion)

110
Q

Purpose of enteroendocrine cells in the GI tract?

A

Release hormones

111
Q

Histamine?

A

Activates parietal cells to release HCI (Hydrochloric acid/gastric acid) - produced by enteroendocrine cells

112
Q

Serotonin?

A

Aids contraction of stomach muscle - produced by enteroendocrine cells

113
Q

Gastrin?

A

Gastric glands to increase secretion - produced by enteroendocrine cells

114
Q

Secretin?

A

Inhibits gastric gland secretion and motility - produced by enteroendocrine cells

115
Q

Endorphins?

A

Relieve stress and pain -natural opiates (opiates are drugs to relive pain)

116
Q

Somatostatin?

A

Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone - involved in the sympathetic NS & inhibiting gastric secretion and emptying

117
Q

What does gastric juice consist of?

A 
Water
Hydrochloric acid
Pepsinogen
Intrinsic factor
Mucus
118
Q

Why is water essential in the gastric juice?

A

Liquefies the food

119
Q

Why is hydrochloric acid essential in gastric juice?

A

Acidifies food and provides acidic environment for pepsins activation

120
Q

Why is pepsinogen essential in gastric juices?

A

Is converted to pepsin (an enzyme which digests proteins)

121
Q

Why is intrinsic factor essential in gastric juices?

A

It is needed to absorb Vit B12 in the small intestine

122
Q

Why is mucus essential in gastric juices?

A

Protects the stomach mucosa from any corrosive chemicals/enzymes

123
Q

What are PPI (proton pump inhibitors)?

A

Something which stops the production of the H in hydrochloric acid in the stomach (reduces acid produced)

124
Q

What is an example of a medically used proton pump inhibitor?

A

Omeprazole, Lansoprazole

125
Q

How do proton pump inhibitors work?

A

Turns off proton pumps and reduces the amount of stomach acid

126
Q

What do H2 blockers do?

A

Prevents the action of histamine on acid producing cells in the stomach (by blocking the histamine binding sites)

127
Q

Examples of H2 blockers?

A

Zantac (Ranitidine)

Tagamet (cimetidine)

128
Q

What are the 3 phases of gastric secretion?

A

Cephalic
Gastric
Intestinal

129
Q

What is the cephalic phase of gastric secretion?

A

It is the 1st phase - stimulated by sight/taste/thought of food

130
Q

What happens in the cephalic phase of gastric secretion?

A

Inputs from taste buds and olfactory receptors are sent to the parasympathetic enteric ganglia to stimulate stomach glands

131
Q

What is the gastric phase of gastric secretion?

A

The second phase of gastric secretion

132
Q

What happens in the gastric phase of gastric secretion?

A

Stretch receptors are activated

Food chemicals activate chemoreceptors to activate G cells which secrete gastrin

133
Q

What is the intestinal phase of gastric secretion?

A

The last phase of gastric secretion

134
Q

What happens in the intestinal phases of gastric secretion?

A

The presence of low PH and partially digested foods in the duodenum stimulates intestinal gastrin secretion

135
Q

What are stomach ulcers?

A

A localised inflammation which destroys an area of skin/mucous membrane (mouth/stomach/duodenum)

136
Q

What is a peptic ulcer?

A

Localised inflammation which has destroyed an area of skin in the duodenum or stomach

137
Q

What is hepatitis?

A

Inflammation of the liver (caused by a virus or alcohol abuse)
Can cause jaundice (yellow of skin and eyes)

138
Q

What is coeliac disease?

A

An autoimmune disease/intolerance to gluten

Damages villi in small intestine

139
Q

What is Crohn’s disease?

A

Chronic inflammation of any parts of the GI tract. Causes pain/diarrhoea and often IBS and ulcers

Gastro-intestinal Tract (2 decks)

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