Chapter 24: The Digestive System Flashcards
(175 cards)
Digestive System
Consists of a group of organs that break down the food we eat into smaller molecules that can be used by body cells.
Tonus
Sustained contraction
Accessory Digestive Organs
Include: teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
Digestive System 6 Basic Processes
- Ingestion
- Secretion
- Motility:
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Defecation
Layers of the GI Tract
4 layers
Deep to Superifical
4.Mucosa: 3 thin layers, epi, lamina propria (contains vessels where nutrients are absorbed), and muscularis mucosea.
3. Submucosa: contains some blood and lympathic vessels
2. Muscularis (contains skeletal muscle and smooth muscle)
1. Serosa (secretes fluid) /adventita (lines esophagus) : also called visceral peritoneum
Epi of Mouth, Pharynx, Esophagus and Anal Canal
Mainly nonkeratinized strained squamous epi.
Serves a protective function.
Epi of Stomach and Intestines
Simple columnar epi.
Functions in secretion and absorption.
Enteroendocirne Cells
Endocrine cells
Secrete hormones
Lamina Propria
Found in the mucosa layer
Areolar CT containing blood and lymphatic vessels that are routes by which nutrients absorbed into the GI tract reach other tissues in the body.
Muscosa Associated Lympathic Tissue (MALT)
Contains in lamina propria.
Are prominent lymphatic nodules
Contain: immune system cells that protect against disease.
Muscularis Mucosae
Thin layer of smooth muscle fibers
The mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestines for many small folds.
Folds increase surface area for digestion and absorption.
Submucosa
Areolar connective tissue that bind the mucosa to the muscularis.
Contains: many blood vessels and lymphatic vessels that receive absorbed food molecules.
Muscularis of Mouth, Pharynx and superior/middle parts of Esophagus.
Contains:
skeletal muscles that produce voluntary swallowing, forms the external anal sphincter.
Smooth muscles in 2 sheets, helps breaks down food, mix digestive secretions and propel it along the tract.
Serosa
Function: secretes lubricating fluid
Superficial layer that is suspended in the abd cavity.
A serosa membrane composed of areolar CT and simple squamous epi.
Adventitia
Single layer of areolar CT in esophagus.
Esophagus lacks serosa.
Myenteric Plexus
Or plexus of Auerbach
Located between the longitudinal and circular smooth muscle layers of the muscularis.
Submucosa Plexus
Apart of the ENS.
Found within the Submucosa.
ENS of GI.
Enteric nervous system, brain of the GI tract.
Wall of the GI tract contains 2 major types of sensory receptors.
1. Chemoreceptors: respond to certain chemical in the food present in the lumen.
2. Mechanoreceptors: are activated when food distends the wall of the GI organ.
Gastrointestinal Reflex Pathway
Neurons of the ENS that regulate GI secretions and motility in response to stimuli present in the lumen of the GI tract.
Peritoneum
Largest serous membrane of the body.
Consists of a layer of simple squamous epi (mesothelioma) with underlaying supporting layer areolar CT.
Divided into:
1. Parietal peritoneum-lines wall of abd
2. Visceral peritoneum-covers some of the organs
Peritoneal Cavity
Slim space containing lubricating serous fluid that is between the parietal and visceral portion of the peritoneum.
Ascites
Accumulation of several liters of fluids.
Retroperitoneal
Organs that lie on the posterior abd wall and are covered by peritoneum on their anterior surfaces and they are not in the peritoneal cavity.
Includes: kidney, ascending and descending colon, duodenum and pancreas.
Mouth
The oral or buccal cavity.
Formed by the creeks, hard and soft palates and tongue.