Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
(281 cards)
What are the functions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT)
Transfers digested organic nutrients, minerals, and water from the external environment to internal environment. Plays a role in digestion and absorption.
What occurs during digestion in the gastrointestinal tract
Chemical alteration of food into absorbable molecules. GI motility, pH changes, biological detergents, and enzymes.
What occurs during absorption of the gastrointestinal tract
Movement of digested food from the intestine into the blood or lymphatic system.
What is excretion of the gastrointestinal tract
Non-absorbable components of food, bacteria, intestinal cells, hydrophobic molecules (drugs, cholesterol, and steroids).
How does host defense occur for the gastrointestinal system
GIT is continuous with the exterior of the body. It is a potential portal for harmful substances and microorganisms. We develop a highly developed immune system due to this.
What are the components of the gastrointestinal tract
Mouth, Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Small intestine (Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum), and the Large Intestine
What are the accessory organs are made of the gastrointestinal system
Pancreas, Liver, and Gall Bladder.
What is the structure of the GIT
Long muscular tube stretching from mouth to anus. It’s composition from mid-esophagus to anus is very similar with some exceptions.
What are the layers of the mucosa
Epithelial layer Lamina propria Muscularis mucosa Submucosa Muscularis externa Serosa
What is the epithelial layer of the mucosa
Epithelium is the layer of cells that lines all body cavities and surfaces. “Polarized” meaning that it is different at one surface compared to the other. Basolateral and apical arrangement. Different transport proteins at the apical structure compared to basolateral. Tight junctions confine transport proteins to specific membrane regions. Provides selective uptake of nutrients, electrolytes, and water. Prevents passage of harmful substances. Surface area is amplified by villi and crypts (+ microvilli). Stem cells in crypts divide and daughter cells migrate upwards toward the villous.
What is the lamina propria layer of the mucosa
Connective tissue, small blood vessels, nerve fibers, lymphatic vessels, and immune and inflammatory cells.
What is the muscularis mucosa layer
Thin layer of smooth muscle. Not involved in the contraction of the GIT. May be important in villi movement.
What is the submucosa layer of the mucosa
Plexus of nerve cell bodies. Relays information to and away from the mucosa. Also composed of connective tissue, blood, and lymphatic vessels.
What is the muscularis externa layer of mucosa
Thick inner layer of circular muscle which has fibers oriented to cause narrowing of lumen. Myenteric nerve plexus which has a network of nerve cells, which regulate muscle function. Thinner outer layer of longitudinal muscle which has fibers oriented to shorten muscle.
What is the serosa layer of the mucosa
Connective tissue, encases intestine and forms connection point to the abdominal wall.
What is the paracellular pathway
It is limited by the tight junction seal and water and small ions can diffuse through it.
What is the transcellular pathway.
It is a two-step process that requires a transport protein on the apical and basolateral surface of the cell.
How is blood supplied to the GIT
It is critical for carrying away water soluble absorbed nutrients for usage at other sites in the body. Blood perfuses intestine and then flows to the liver via the portal vein.
What is portal circulation
The portal vein drains blood from the digestive tract and empties directly into the liver. It is a circulation of nutrient-rich blood between the gut and the liver. This allows the liver to remove harmful substances and process nutrients.
Why is the liver an unusual organ
Liver is an unusual organ because it receives blood from both venous (portal) and arterial circulation. Liver receives less oxygenated blood, more nutrient rich blood than other organs.
How is the gastrointestinal processes regulated
Governed by the volume and composition of lumen
What are the reflexes of the GI tract initiated by
Distension of wall by volume of luminal contents, osmolarity of contents, pH of contents, and concentrations of specific digestion contents such as (monosaccharides, fatty acids, peptides, and amino acids).
What are the regulations of the GI processes propagated by
Mechanoreceptors: Activated by mechanical stimuli such as pressure and stretch
Osmoreceptors: Activated by changes in osmolarity
Chemoreceptors: Activated by the binding of specific chemicals.
What is the intrinsic neural regulation of the GI Processes
Enteric nervous system. Controls the activity of the secretomotor neurons; such as motility and secretory function. Contained completely within the walls of the GIT. Dense and complex network of neurons. Brain of the gut and can function independently of the CNS.