Digestive System Flashcards
Alimentary canal
-mouth
-pharynx
-esophagus
-stomach
-small intestine
-large intestine
Differentiate between organs of alimentary canal and accessory organs or structure.
-The alimentary canal, or GI tract, is the continuous muscular digestive tube that winds through the body digesting and absorbing foodstuff; its organs include: the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
-Accessory digestive organs or structures aid digestion physically and produce secretions that break down foodstuff in the GI tract; the organs involved are the teeth, tongue, gallbladder, salivary glands, liver and pancreas.
6 functions of digestive system
- Ingestion:
■ occurs when materials enter digestive tract - Propulsion:
■ Peristalsis (movement of food through tract) - Mechanical breakdown:
■ Teeth
■ Tongue
■ Stomach churning
■ Segmentation - Digestion:
■ is the chemical breakdown of food
■ into small organic fragments
■ for absorption by digestive epithelium - Absorption:
■ movement of nutrients
■ across digestive epithelium
■ into interstitial fluid of digestive tract - Defecation :
■ Eliminate indigestible substances in feces
Lining of digestive tract
■ Protects surrounding tissues against:
■ corrosive effects of digestive acids and enzymes
■ mechanical stresses, such as abrasion
■ bacteria
Name one organ of the alimentary canal found in the thorax. Name 3 organs located in abdominal cavity.
Esophagus;
Stomach, small intestine, large intestine
Which digestive system activity actually moves nutrients from outside to inside the body?
Absorption
Bacteria
■ Is ingested with food or resides in digestive tract
■ Attacked by macrophages, and immune system cells
■ In lamina propria (underlying layer of areolar tissue)
Peritoneal cavity
■ Is located within the abdominopelvic cavity
■ Lined with peritoneum (simple squamous epithelium) membrane consisting of:
■ superficial mesothelium covering a layer of areolar tissue
Parietal and visceral layers
-of peritoneum
-continuous w/ one another via several extension (mesenteries, falciform ligament, lesser and greater omenta)
-separated by a potential space containing serous fluid, which decreases friction during organ activity
All organs of GI tract have the same basic pattern of tissue layers in their walls
All have mucosa, submucosa, muscular externa, and serosa (or adventitia). Intrinsic nerve plexuses (enteric nervous system) are found w/in the wall
Digestive viscera are served by the…
Splanchnic circulation, consisting of aterial branches of the celiac trunk and aorta and hepatic portal circulation
How does the location of the visceral peritoneum differ from that of the parietal peritoneum?
Visceral- outermost layer of digestive organ
Parietal- serous membrane covering the wall of abdominal cavity
Peritoneal fluid
■ Is produced by serous membrane lining
■ Provides essential lubricant
■ Separates parietal and visceral surfaces
■ Allows sliding without friction or irritation
Peritoneal cavity disorders
■ Peritonitis
■ Inflammation of the peritoneal membrane
■ Caused by:
■ piercing abdominal wound
■ perforating ulcer
■ ruptured appendix
■ Membranes stick together, localizing infection
■ Can be fatal w/bacterial invasion
■ Ascites
■ The accumulation of Peritoneal Fluid that causes abdominal effusion
■ Can distort abdominal organs and result in:
■ heartburn,
■ indigestion
■ lower back pain.
Peritoneal cavity disorders
■ Peritonitis
■ Inflammation of the peritoneal membrane
■ Caused by:
■ piercing abdominal wound
■ perforating ulcer
■ ruptured appendix
■ Membranes stick together, localizing infection
■ Can be fatal w/bacterial invasion
■ Ascites
■ The accumulation of Peritoneal Fluid that causes abdominal effusion
■ Can distort abdominal organs and result in:
■ heartburn,
■ indigestion
■ lower back pain.
Of the following, which is/are retroperitoneal?
Stomach, pancreas, liver
Pancreas
What is the name of the venous portion of splanchnic circulation?
Hepatic portal circulation
Mesenteries
■ Are double sheets of peritoneal membrane
■ Suspend portions of digestive tract within peritoneal cavity by sheets of serous membrane:
-that connect parietal peritoneum
-with visceral peritoneum
■ Areolar tissue between mesothelial surfaces:
-provides an route to and from the digestive tract
-for passage of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels
■ May attain status as a separate organ
-One contiguous structure
-Functions not well understood
■ Stabilize positions of attached organs
■ Prevent intestines from becoming entangled
Describe the location and function of peritoneum.
The peritoneum is a serous membrane that covers the abdominal walls and most abdominal organs. It has two layers, the inner (visceral) layer and the outer (parietal) layer. It provides protection and stability to the abdominal organs, allowing minimal movement.
Retroperitoneal
Give examples
Retroperitoneal: regarding anything that is posterior to the mesentery, lying against dorsal abdominal wall.
-Organs: most of the duodenum, the pancreas, ascending and descending colon, and the rectum.
Splanchnic circulation and indicate the important of hepatic portal system.
blood flow through the abdominal organs including the stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, and intestines, while the hepatic portal system is a specific part of this circulation that delivers nutrient-rich blood from the digestive tract directly to the liver via the hepatic portal vein, allowing the liver to process absorbed nutrients and toxins before they enter the systemic circulation
the hepatic portal system is crucial for the liver’s vital functions in regulating blood chemistry and metabolism
Tissue composition and general function of 4 layers of alimentary canal
- Mucosa - innermost layer - SECRETION of mucous, digestive enzymes, and hormones. ABSORPTION of end products of digestion into the blood. PROTECTION against infection.
- Submucosa - extensive VASCULAR network supplies surrounding tissue, ELASTIC fibers enables stomach to regain normal shape after large meal.
- Muscularis Externa - SEGMENTATION and PERISTALSIS. Forms sphincters that act as valves.
- Serosa - Outermost layer - PROTECTIVE layer of areolar connective tissue covered with mesothelium.
Mesenteries development
■ During embryonic development:
-digestive tract and accessory organs are suspended in peritoneal cavity by:
-dorsal mesentery
-ventral mesentery
When sensors in the GI tract are stimulated they trigger reflexes. What types of digestive activity may be put into motion via those relfexes?
Reflexes associated with/ the GI tract promote muscle contraction and secretion of digestive juices or hormones