GI Flashcards
(424 cards)
Gastrointestinal tract overview
GI tract consists of mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, large intestines.
It has accessory glands:
Salivary glands in the mouth, pancreas, liver and all of these are involved in helping digestion and absorption in the GI tract.
Role of gut lumen?
The gut lumen is external to the body because conditions for digestion are tolerated in the gut but not in the body this is due to harsh acidic environment low PH.
Lumen of the gut has acid and that ph is very low, if acid got through the gut wall it would destroy tissues in the body.
We produce digestive enzymes in the pancreas and the mouth and if these enzymes can cross through the gut wall they will destroy our tissues.
Billions of Microorganisms exist in the large intestines and if we have a disease of the large intestine and microorganisms enter body they will cause lots of damage and infection will occur leading to massive inflammatory response.
Food itself is considered as foreign particles our body will mount an immune response against food because we wouldn’t recognise them. Food has to be broken down to its simplest forms of amino acids, glucose, free fatty acids and glycerol in order to recognise them in the body.
What are the 4 basic process of the digestive system?
Motility
Secretion
Digestion
Absorption
Motility?
Motility is both under voluntary and involuntary control
Voluntary control occurs due to Skeletal Muscles being responsible for chewing, swallowing and defaecation.
Smooth Muscle are in the gut wall they control contractions that mix and move forward content of the gut.
Smooth muscle contractions can either be tonic or phasic
Tonic constant low level of contractions used to maintain a steady pressure on the content of gut and prevents wall from being permanently stretched which actually cause damage.
In the presence of food we get Phasic action potential, induced bursts of contractions
Propulsive movements
Mixing movements
Secretion?
Main type of secretions in the gut is Digestive juices- secreted by exocrine glands
These digestive enzymes contain water, electrolytes, specific products for digestion or absorption eg mucus, enzymes breakdown carbohydrates and protein fats are produced by the pancreas, bile salts produced by liver and help fat digestion.
Secretion requires energy to occur and to release lots of water and raw materials but we reabsorb most of these material to resecrete.
Secretion is regulated by neural and hormonal stimulation. Secretions normally reabsorbed into the blood.
GI hormones are secreted by endocrine glands
Secreted into the blood by endocrine cells along tract wall
Regulate motility and exocrine glands secretion.
Digestion and absorption?
Digestion is the biochemical breakdown of complex proteins, carbohydrates, and fats by enzymes.
Enzymes digest by hydrolysis eg maltose is broken down into glucose by Maltese disaccharides and they require water to breakdown. They are specific on the bonds they hydrolyse.
Large molecules broken down to smaller units in stepwise manner through the gut that eventually are absorbed.
Water, electrolytes, vitamins are also absorbed.
Protein digestion?
Protein digestion begins in the stomach we have pepsinogen that is produced by the cells in the stomach wall and is present in the gastric juice
Pepsinogen is cleaved to pepsin by the presence of acid.
Pepsin starts off the process of breaking down the proteins to peptides in the stomach.
Once the proteins are in the small intestine the enzyme from pancreas will take over and break them further.
Trypsinogen in the pancreatic juice is converted to trypsin at basic pH
Trypsin breaks down proteins to peptides.
Peptides are produced by the small intestine and breaks down peptides to amino acids.
Amino acids are actively transported into epithelial cells of the villi and from there to blood
Protein digestion begins in stomach:
• Pepsinogen in gastric juice is converted to pepsin at low pH
• Pepsin breaks down proteins to peptides
Continues in small intestine:
• Trypsinogen in pancreatic juice is converted to trypsin at basic pH
• Trypsin breaks down proteins to peptides
• Peptidases are produced by the small intestine and breaks down peptides to amino acids
Amino acids are actively transported into epithelial cells of villi and from there to blood
Lipid digestion?
Lipids are only broken down in the duodenum and small intestines.
Dietary fat: triglycerides
In the duodenum, lipids combine with bile salts to form fat droplets.
Lipase from pancreas digests triglycerides to monoglycerides and fatty acids.
Monoglycerides and fatty acids diffuse into epithelial cells where the recombine with proteins to form
lipo-proteins called chylomicrons these enter lymphatic capillary and go to liver and other tissues where they are required
Carbohydrates digestion?
Carbohydrates consists of polysaccharides:
Starch is broken down by salivary amylase in the mouth and then by pancreatic amylase on the duodenum and small intestine to maltose.
Glycogen is broken down to glucose
Cellulose and other indigestible CHO are not broken down by the gut enzymes.
Disaccharides:
Enzymes in the small intestine break down simpler sugars.
1- Maltase breaks down maltose to glucose.
2- Sucrase breaks down sucrose to glucose and fructose.
3- Lactase breaks down lactose to glucose and galactose.
Glucose actively transported into epithelial cells of villi and then into blood.
Structure of the digestive tract wall?
The digestive tract wall is composed of several layers that play crucial roles in the process of digestion.these layers are important in the digestion, secretion, absorption and motility.
- Mucosa:
- Role: The innermost layer of the digestive tract wall that is responsible for secretion, absorption, and protection. It contains glands that produce digestive enzymes and mucus.
- Submucosa:
- Role: Provides support to the mucosa and contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves that supply the surrounding tissues.
- Muscularis Externa:
- Role: Consists of smooth muscle layers that are responsible for peristalsis, the wave-like contractions that propel food through the digestive tract.
- Serosa (or Adventitia):
- Role: The outermost layer of the digestive tract wall that provides protection and helps anchor the digestive organs in place.
Here are the roles of each component you mentioned in the digestive tract wall:
- Lamina Propria:
- Role: The lamina propria is a layer of connective tissue in the mucosa that contains blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It supports the epithelial cells of the mucosa and helps in nutrient absorption.
- Lymphatic Nodules (Peyer’s Patches):
- Role: Lymphatic nodules are clusters of lymphoid tissue in the mucosa and submucosa of the small intestine. They play a role in immune response by monitoring and responding to pathogens in the digestive tract.
- Lymphatic Vessels:
- Role: Lymphatic vessels in the digestive tract wall help in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. They also play a role in immune surveillance and transport lymphatic fluid containing immune cells.
- Circular Layer of Muscle (Muscularis Externa):
- Role: The circular layer of smooth muscle in the muscularis externa contracts to constrict and propel food through the digestive tract during peristalsis.
- Myenteric Plexus (Auerbach’s Plexus):
- Role: The myenteric plexus is a network of nerves located between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the muscularis externa. It regulates gastrointestinal motility and controls the contractions of the smooth muscle layers.
- Longitudinal Layer of Muscle (Muscularis Externa):
- Role: The longitudinal layer of smooth muscle in the muscularis externa contracts to elongate and shorten the digestive tract, aiding in the movement of food along the tract.
- Simple columnar epithelium.
These components work together to facilitate digestion, absorption of nutrients, immune response, and the movement of food through the digestive system.
Each component of the digestive tract wall works together to ensure proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
Mucosa
Mucosa lines up the lumen
Surface highly folded varies in different parts of tract (esophagus, stomach, small & large intestines)
Three layers
Mucous membrane
Lamina propria
Muscularis mucosa
The mucosa is a crucial component of the digestive tract wall that lines the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Esophagus:
- The mucosa in the esophagus is specialized to withstand the abrasion and friction caused by the passage of food. It is lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
- Stomach:
- The mucosa in the stomach contains gastric pits and gastric glands that secrete gastric juice for digestion. The surface of the stomach mucosa is lined with simple columnar epithelium.
- Small Intestine:
- The mucosa of the small intestine has numerous folds called villi and microvilli, which increase the surface area for nutrient absorption. It is lined with simple columnar epithelium.
- Large Intestine:
- The mucosa of the large intestine has fewer folds compared to the small intestine and is lined with simple columnar epithelium. It contains numerous goblet cells that secrete mucus for lubrication.
The mucosa consists of three layers:
1. Mucous Membrane:
- The innermost layer of the mucosa that contains epithelial cells responsible for secretion and absorption.
- Lamina Propria:
- A layer of connective tissue beneath the epithelium that contains blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It supports the mucous membrane.
- Muscularis Mucosa:
- A thin layer of smooth muscle that helps in the movement and folding of the mucosa to increase surface area for absorption.
The variations in the structure of the mucosa in different parts of the digestive tract reflect their specialized functions in digestion, absorption, and protection.
Other layers
1• Submucosa
- Connective tissue, allowing tract to distend and be elastic
- Contains larger blood and lymph vessels, sends branches to mucosa and muscularis externa
- Contains submucosa nerve plexus
2• Muscularis externa
- Major smooth muscle, usually two layers
• Inner circular layer
• Outer longitudinal layer
- Responsible for mixing and propulsive movements
- Myenteric nerve plexus lies between two layers
3• Serosa
- Outermost layer, connective tissue
- Secretes serous fluid which lubricates and prevents friction between tract and surrounding tissues and organs
ー
Continuous with the mesentery - suspends digestive organs from inner wall of abdominal cavity like sling
Regulation of digestive function?
How do we control secretion?
1-Autonomic smooth muscle function
2-Intrinsic nerve plexuses
3-Extrinsic nerves
4-Gastrointestinal hormones
Autonomic smooth muscle function?
Self induced electrical activity in digestive smooth muscle prominently slow wave potential basic electrical rhythm
Intrinsic cells of Cajal:
Pace maker cells that instigate cyclic slow wave activity
Located between circular and longitudinal muscle allow whole sheet of smooth muscle cells to contract together when threshold reached.
Reaching threshold to induce contraction depends on mechanical, neural and hormonal factors eg food present or absent.
Rate of contraction varies eg peristalsis in the stomach vs segmentation in small intestine compared to haustral contractions in large intestine.
Intensity of contraction depends on number of action potentials once slow wave potential threshold reached (depends on Ca2+)
Intrinsic nerve plexuses
Submucosa & myenteric nerve plexuses
Enteric nervous system- entirely and throughout digestive tract wall-100million neurons.
Primarily coordinate local activity in tract
Various types of neurons
Input neurons:
Input neurons sensory respond to local stimuli
Excitatory and inhibitory output neurons modules motility or secretion of hormones or enzymes
Acetylcholine promotes smooth muscle contraction.
Nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide act together to relax smooth muscle.
The submucosa and myenteric nerve plexuses play essential roles in coordinating the functions of the digestive tract through the enteric nervous system, which consists of 100 million neurons distributed throughout the digestive tract wall. Here is an overview of their functions and the types of neurons involved:
- Submucosa:
- The submucosa is a layer of connective tissue located beneath the mucosa in the digestive tract wall. It contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves that supply the mucosa. The submucosa helps in nutrient absorption and provides structural support to the mucosa.
- Myenteric Nerve Plexus (Auerbach’s Plexus):
- The myenteric nerve plexus is a network of nerve fibers and ganglia located between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the muscularis externa. It is part of the enteric nervous system and primarily coordinates local activities in the digestive tract, including motility and secretion.
Enteric Nervous System:
- The enteric nervous system is a complex network of neurons that are entirely contained within the walls of the digestive tract. It consists of approximately 100 million neurons that regulate gastrointestinal functions independently of the central nervous system.
Types of Neurons in the Enteric Nervous System:
1. Input Neurons:
- Sensory neurons that respond to local stimuli in the digestive tract, such as the presence of food or changes in pH. They transmit this information to the enteric nervous system for processing.
- Excitatory and Inhibitory Output Neurons:
- These neurons modulate motility and the secretion of hormones or enzymes in the digestive tract. Excitatory neurons stimulate muscle contractions, while inhibitory neurons relax the muscles.
1-Acetylcholine:
- Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in promoting smooth muscle contractions in the digestive tract. It is released by neurons in the enteric nervous system to regulate motility and other digestive functions.
2-Nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are two important neurotransmitters that act synergistically to relax smooth muscle in the digestive tract. Here’s how they work together to promote smooth muscle relaxation:
Nitric Oxide (NO):
- Nitric oxide is a key neurotransmitter released by neurons in the enteric nervous system. It plays a crucial role in regulating smooth muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Nitric oxide acts by stimulating the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle cells, leading to muscle relaxation.
- The relaxation of smooth muscle mediated by nitric oxide helps to promote the movement of food and substances through the digestive tract.
- Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP):
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide is another neurotransmitter released by enteric neurons that plays a role in regulating gastrointestinal motility and secretion.
- VIP acts by binding to specific receptors on smooth muscle cells, leading to the activation of intracellular signaling pathways that promote muscle relaxation.
- VIP also stimulates the release of nitric oxide, further enhancing the relaxation of smooth muscle in the digestive tract.
Synergistic Action:
- Nitric oxide and VIP often act together synergistically to produce a more potent relaxation effect on smooth muscle in the digestive tract.
- The combined action of nitric oxide and VIP helps to coordinate smooth muscle relaxation, facilitating the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract and promoting proper digestion and absorption.
By working together, nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide play key roles in regulating smooth muscle function in the digestive tract, contributing to the overall coordination of gastrointestinal motility and function.
Overall, the submucosa, myenteric nerve plexus, and the enteric nervous system work together to regulate the local activities of the digestive tract, ensuring proper digestion, absorption, and movement of food along the gastrointestinal tract.
Extrinsic nerves
Extrinsic Nerves
• Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves influence motility and secretion by modifying activity of intrinsic nerve plexuses
- altering secretion of Gl hormones
- directly acting on smooth muscle and glands
• Sympathetic slows digestion
• Parasympathetic (vagus nerve)
Colon
Increases smooth muscle motility
Promote Gl hormone and enzyme secretion
Vagus nerve branches of the vagus nerve is connected to all parts of the gut. It is important in stimulating motility and secretion. Tells stomach to produce acid.
• Coordinates activity between different regions of tract, eg chewing causes increased salivary, stomach, pancreatic and liver secretion via vagal reflexes in anticipation of food arrival.
What receptors trigger nerves in the gut?
3 types of sensory receptors that sense chemical and food.
1- chemoreceptors
2- mechanoreceptors
3- osmoreceptors
Stimulation results in neural reflexes or secretion of hormones which alter activity of effector cells (smooth muscle cells, exocrine, and endocrine glands cells)
Also receptors on effector cells that are directly stimulated by GI hormones, neurotransmitters and local chemical mediators.
AI:
Chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, and osmoreceptors are three types of sensory receptors that play crucial roles in sensing chemical and food stimuli in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These receptors are involved in initiating neural reflexes or triggering hormonal responses that ultimately alter the activity of effector cells, such as smooth muscle cells, exocrine glands, and endocrine glands cells. Additionally, effector cells possess receptors that directly respond to GI hormones, neurotransmitters, and local chemical mediators. Here’s a brief overview of each type of sensory receptor and their functions in the GI tract:
- Chemoreceptors:
- Chemoreceptors are sensory receptors that respond to chemical stimuli, such as the presence of specific nutrients, pH changes, or other chemical signals in the GI tract.
- Stimulation of chemoreceptors can trigger neural reflexes or the secretion of hormones that regulate GI functions, such as motility, secretion, and absorption.
- Chemoreceptors play a key role in detecting and responding to different types of nutrients and signaling molecules present in the digestive system.
- Mechanoreceptors:
- Mechanoreceptors are sensory receptors that respond to mechanical stimuli, such as stretching, pressure, or movement in the GI tract.
- Activation of mechanoreceptors by physical stimuli can lead to the initiation of neural reflexes that control processes like peristalsis, sphincter function, and sensory feedback.
- Mechanoreceptors help in detecting changes in the mechanical environment of the GI tract and coordinating appropriate responses to maintain optimal digestive function.
- Osmoreceptors:
- Osmoreceptors are sensory receptors that detect changes in osmotic pressure or the concentration of solutes in the GI tract.
- Stimulation of osmoreceptors can trigger neural reflexes or hormonal responses that regulate fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and osmotic pressure in the digestive system.
- Osmoreceptors are essential for maintaining proper hydration levels and osmotic balance within the GI tract.
Effector Cell Receptors:
- Effector cells in the GI tract possess receptors that directly respond to GI hormones, neurotransmitters, and local chemical mediators released in the digestive system.
- These receptors play a crucial role in mediating the effects of signaling molecules on effector cells, regulating functions such as smooth muscle contraction, glandular secretion, and hormone release.
Overall, chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, osmoreceptors, and effector cell receptors work together to sense and respond to chemical and food stimuli in the GI tract, coordinating a range of physiological processes essential for proper digestion, absorption, and gastrointestinal function.
What role do gastrointestinal hormones play?
Gastrointestinal Hormones
• Endocrine gland cells in mucosa of specific regions of tract release hormones into blood upon stimulation
• Transported to other parts of digestive tract where stimulate or inhibit other exocrine gland cells or smooth muscle
Cholecystokinin
Gall bladder contraction
Gastrointestinal motility
Pancreatic exocrine secretion
Secretin
Pancreatic exocrine secretion
GIP
Incretin activity
Motilin
Gastrointestinal motility
• Many are also released from brain neurons and are neurotransmitters or neuromodulators
Ghrelin
Hunger
Growth hormone release
Gastrin
Acid secretion
Insulin and glucagon
Glucose homeostasis
Pancreatic polypeptide
Gastric motility
Satiation
Amylin
Glucose homeostasis
Gastric motility
GLP-1
Incretin activity
Satiation
GLP-2
Gastrointestinal motility and growth
Oxyntomodulin
Satiation
Acid secretion
PYY 3.36
Satiation
AI:
Gastrointestinal Hormones
• Endocrine gland cells in mucosa of specific regions of tract release hormones into blood upon stimulation
• Transported to other parts of digestive tract where stimulate or inhibit other exocrine gland cells or smooth muscle
Cholecystokinin
Gall bladder contraction
Gastrointestinal motility
Pancreatic exocrine secretion
Secretin
Pancreatic exocrine secretion
GIP
Incretin activity
Motilin
Gastrointestinal motility
• Many are also released from brain neurons and are neurotransmitters or neuromodulators
Ghrelin
Hunger
Growth hormone release
Gastrin
Acid secretion
Insulin and glucagon
Glucose homeostasis
Pancreatic polypeptide
Gastric motility
Satiation
Amylin
Glucose homeostasis
Gastric motility
GLP-1
Incretin activity
Satiation
GLP-2
Gastrointestinal motility and growth
Oxyntomodulin
Satiation
Acid secretion
PYY 3.36
Satiation
Summary of GIT: summary
Regulation in the GIT: Summary
[ENS]
Long reflex
•Myenteric plexus
Short reflex
Stretch receptors, chemoreceptors
Peristalsis and segmentation movements
Buffers, acids, enzymes released
(3)
Secretory cells
LOCAL FACTORS pH, physical stimulation, chemical stimulation
Emanate.
Via circulation
Enteroendocrine cells
2
Hormones released
In the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), regulation of various digestive processes involves a complex interplay of neural and hormonal mechanisms. Here is a summary of the key regulatory mechanisms in the GIT:
- Long Reflex:
- Involves the myenteric plexus, a network of nerve fibers in the muscular wall of the GIT.
- Regulates and coordinates peristalsis and segmentation movements along the digestive tract.
- Short Reflex:
- Triggered by stretch receptors and chemoreceptors in the GIT.
- Controls local responses such as the release of buffers, acids, and enzymes in response to physical or chemical stimulation.
- Secretory Cells:
- Release digestive enzymes, acids, and other substances in response to local factors such as pH changes, physical stimulation, and chemical stimuli.
- Circulatory System:
- Local factors emanate and are transported via circulation to affect distant parts of the GIT.
- Enteroendocrine Cells:
- Specialized cells located in the lining of the GIT.
- Release hormones into the bloodstream in response to various stimuli.
Overall, the regulation of gastrointestinal functions involves intricate interactions between neural reflexes, local factors, secretory cells, and enteroendocrine cells. These mechanisms ensure the proper coordination of digestive processes, including motility, secretion, and absorption, to maintain the optimal function and health of the gastrointestinal system.
Upper gastrointestinal system physiology
Mouth (oral cavity)
1-Lips form opening, help procure, guide and contain food in the mouth. Important in speech. Well developed tactile sensation.
2-Palate
Forms roof of oral cavity separates nasal cavity from mouth
Separates mouth from nasal passages
Uvula blocks airways (seals off nasal passages during swallowing)
3-Tongue forms floor of oral cavity, composed of skeletal muscle. Movements aid in chewing and swallowing, plays an important role in speech and it has 10,000 taste buds.
4- Pharynx is a cavity at rear throat, common passage way for digestive and respiratory systems
Tonsils: within side walls of pharynx, lymphoid tissue.
5- teeth responsible for chewing mastication and is the first step in digestive process.
Secretion in the mouth
Saliva
1-2L/day produced largely by 3 major pairs of salivary glands; parotid, sublingual and submandibular gland.
Basal 0.5ml/min stimulated by constant low level PNS
Max 5ml/min eg sucking on a lemon
Composition: very aqueous
*99.5% H2O
*0.5% electrolyses and proteins (amylase, mucus and lysozymes)
Some drugs cause dry mouth like diuretics.
Functions of Saliva?
1-Digestion of carbohydrates by salivary amylase.
2-Swallowing facilities by moistening food
3-Lubrication provided by mucus
4-Antibacterial action: lysozymes destroy bacteria and saliva rinses away material that could serve as food source for bacteria
5-Solvent for molecules that stimulate taste buds
6-Aids speech by facilitating movements if lips and tongue
7-Helps keep mouth and teeth clean
8-Rich in bicarbonate buffers
Control of salivary secretions?
Two types of control:
Simple reflex via pressure or chemoreceptors in the mouth pick up food and send a reflex to salivary centre in the medulla of the brain. This stimulates autonomic nervous systems to secrete saliva.
Conditioned reflex: complex reflex via sight or smell of food triggers cerebral cortex then salivary centre in the medulla then autonomic nerves —> salivary glands and increase salivary secretion.
Pharynx and oesophagus
Swallowing: moves food from mouth through pharynx into stomach.
Sequentially programmed all or none reflex can’t be stopped once initiated
Initiated when bolus is voluntarily forced by tongue to rear of mouth into pharynx.
Swallowing is complex reflex in the body consists of two phases
Oropharyngeal 1seconds
Oesophageal 5-9 seconds
In pharynx, bolus prevented from re-entering mouth or re-entering nasal passage or trachea
Swallowing centre briefly inhibits respiratory centre during swallowing.