Chapter 24 - Digestive System Flashcards
Digestive Process
Ingesiton, secretion, motility, digestion, absorption, defecation
Two parts of the digestive system
GI Tract, Accessory digsetive organs
Path of food through the GI tract
Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus
GI tract
Runs from the mouth to the anus
accessory digestive glands
salivary glands, gall bladder, liver, pancreas, rectum, anus
These never come in contact w food, instead they produce or store secretions that aid in chemical digestion
Serous membrane of the abdominal cavity
The serous membrane of the abdominal cavity. It has two layers: visceral peritoneum (covers abdominal organs) and parietal peritoneum
Serous fluid
Serous fluid between these layers prevents friction and adhesion.
Falciform Ligament
Peritoneal fold that attaches the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm.
GREATER OMENTUM
overs the folds of the small
intestine. Contains much adipose tissue (beer belly).
Contain many lymph nodes (part of the immune system
LESSER OMENTUM
connects the stomach
and duodenum to the liver. Pathway for
blood vessels entering the liver
MESOCOLON
binds the
large intestine to the posterior
abdominal wall. Contains
blood and lymphatic vessels.
MESENTERY
binds the small
intestine to the posterior wall. It
contains lots of adipose tissue and
contributes extensively to the
large abdomen in obese
individuals. Contains multiple
blood and lymphatic vessels, as
well as lymph nodes.
all the folds of the peritoneum
falciform ligament, greater omentum, lesser omentum, mesentery, mesocolon
peritoneum
largest serous membrane of the body;
Peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
Most often due to infection by microorganisms
◦ life-threatening
◦ could be due to surgery
◦ could be due to perforation of intestine
Can be due to rubbing of inflamed peritoneal surfaces
◦ not life-threatening, but still painful
LAYERS OF THE GI TRACT
deep to superficial, are the mucosa, submucosa, muscular layer, and serosa.
Mucosa Layer of GI Tract
Innermost layer consisting of epithelium (varies by region), lamina propria (areolar connective tissue with blood vessels, nerves, glands, immune cells), and muscularis mucosae (thin smooth muscle layer).
Submucosa Layer of GI Tract
Layer of areolar connective tissue surrounding the mucosa, containing large blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and in some regions exocrine glands that secrete buffers and enzymes.
Muscularis Layer of GI Tract
Layer dominated by smooth muscle cells arranged in inner circular and outer longitudinal layers, essential for mechanical processing and movement of materials along the digestive tract.
SEROSA
AKA visceral peritoneum that covers organs along most portions of the
digestive tract; attaches the
digestive tract to adjacent
structures;
Enteric Nervous System
The ‘brain of the gut’ that can function independently. Includes the myenteric plexus (controls GI tract motility) and submucosal plexus (controls secretions of organs into GI tract).
Autonomic nervous system
View pg 21
Regulate neurons of the ENS
◦ Parasympathetic (CN X; sacral
nerves) – increase ENS activity
◦ Sympathetic (thoracic and upper
lumbar nerves – decrease ENS
Salivary Glands
Sublingual glands: deep to
the tongue in the floor of the
mouth, secrete mucus that
serves as a buffer
Submandibular glands:
medial in inferior to the
mandible, secrete salivary
amylase and mucus
Parotid glands:
inferior/anterior to the ears,
b/w skin and masseter,
secrete watery liquid with
salivary amylase
Sublingual glands
deep to
the tongue in the floor of the
mouth, secrete mucus that
serves as a buffer