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ANATOMY 403 EXAM 4 > GI > Flashcards

GI Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the purpose of the digestive system?

A

The digestive system breaks down food particles into smaller molecules that the body can work with on a cellular level.

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2
Q

What are the primary products absorbed by the digestive system?

A

Amino acids, glucose, fatty acids, glycerol.

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3
Q

What are the main functions of the digestive system?

A

Ingestion, secretion, mixing & propulsion, digestion (mechanical & chemical), absorption, defecation.

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4
Q

What are the organs of the gastrointestinal tract?

A

Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine.

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5
Q

What are the accessory digestive organs?

A

Teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas.

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6
Q

What is the developmental origin of the gut?

A

The gut develops from a single embryological gut tube that rotates in the abdomen as it lengthens.

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7
Q

What are the regions of the gut and their blood supply?

A

Foregut: supplied by celiac trunk; Midgut: supplied by superior mesenteric artery; Hindgut: supplied by inferior mesenteric artery.

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8
Q

What structures derive from the foregut?

A

Mouth, pharynx, esophagus (abdominal), stomach, duodenum (up to 2nd part), liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas.

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9
Q

What structures derive from the midgut?

A

Duodenum (beyond 2nd part), jejunum, ileum, cecum (appendix), ascending colon, 2/3 of transverse colon.

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10
Q

What structures derive from the hindgut?

A

Distal 1/3 transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, anus (above pectinate line).

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11
Q

Which artery supplies the descending colon?

A

Inferior Mesenteric Artery.

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12
Q

What is the venous drainage system of the gut?

A

Hepatic portal system: splenic vein, inferior mesenteric vein, superior mesenteric vein, hepatic portal vein (drains to liver).

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13
Q

What is the enteric nervous system?

A

Neurons located within the gut that innervate digestive organs.

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14
Q

What are the two main plexuses of the enteric nervous system?

A

Submucosal (Meissner’s) Plexus and Myenteric (Auerbach’s) Plexus.

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15
Q

What is the function of the submucosal plexus?

A

Controls mucosal glands, secreting mucous and digestive chemicals into the lumen of the GI tract.

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16
Q

What is the function of the myenteric plexus?

A

Controls gut motility (movement of contents through the GI tract).

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17
Q

How does sympathetic innervation affect the gastrointestinal tract?

A

It inhibits secretion and decreases motility.

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18
Q

How does parasympathetic input affect the gastrointestinal tract?

A

It stimulates secretion and peristalsis (propulsion).

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19
Q

Parasympathetic gut supply overview

A

Key Steps in the Parasympathetic Pathways:
* Preganglionic fibers from the vagus nerve (CN X) supply the foregut and midgut.
* These fibers travel via the anterior and posterior vagal trunks.
* They synapse in enteric ganglia located in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the gut wall.
* Preganglionic fibers from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4) supply the hindgut.
* These fibers synapse in enteric ganglia in the walls of the hindgut.
* Postganglionic fibers from the enteric ganglia directly innervate the smooth muscles and glands of the hindgut.

Summary of Parasympathetic Pathways:
Foregut and Midgut (Vagus Nerve):
* Preganglionic fibers in the vagus nerve synapse in enteric ganglia (myenteric and submucosal plexuses).
* Postganglionic fibers are short and innervate the smooth muscle and glands of the gut.
* Hindgut (Pelvic Splanchnic Nerves):
* Preganglionic fibers in the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-S4) synapse in enteric ganglia in the hindgut.
* Postganglionic fibers are short and innervate the smooth muscle and glands of the hindgut.

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20
Q

Steps of sympathetic gut supply

A
  1. Originates in spinal cord -> sympathetic chain
  2. First neuron (splanchnic) synapses at a ganglion sitting on aorta
  3. Second neuron follows blood vessels to its target organ

Summarized Breakdown of the Pathways:
Sympathetic fibers originate in the thoracolumbar spinal cord (T1–L2).

Preganglionic fibers travel via splanchnic nerves.

Thoracic Splanchnic nerves (Greater and Lesser): carry fibers to the celiac ganglion (foregut) and superior mesenteric ganglion (midgut).

Lumbar Splanchnic nerves: carry fibers to the inferior mesenteric ganglion (hindgut).

Synapse in prevertebral ganglia (such as the celiac, superior mesenteric, and inferior mesenteric ganglia).

Postganglionic fibers: These fibers exit the ganglia and follow aortic and peri-arterial plexuses, traveling along major arteries to reach the target viscera (the gut).

Example of Pathways:
Foregut (e.g., stomach, duodenum):

Preganglionic fibers → Greater Thoracic Splanchnic nerve → Celiac ganglion → Postganglionic fibers follow the celiac artery to reach the stomach.

Midgut (e.g., jejunum, ileum):

Preganglionic fibers → Lesser Thoracic Splanchnic nerve → Superior mesenteric ganglion → Postganglionic fibers travel with the superior mesenteric artery.

Hindgut (e.g., descending colon, rectum):

Preganglionic fibers → Lumbar Splanchnic nerve → Inferior mesenteric ganglion → Postganglionic fibers travel with the inferior mesenteric artery.

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21
Q

What are the layers of the gastrointestinal tract?

A

Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, serosa/adventitia.

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22
Q

What is the function of the mucosa?

A

Lines the GI tract and is involved in absorption and secretion.

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23
Q

What is the peritoneum?

A

The largest serous membrane in the body that supports abdominal organs.

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24
Q

What are the divisions of the peritoneum?

A

Visceral peritoneum, parietal peritoneum, mesentery/ligaments.

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25
What are the major folds within the abdominal cavity?
The mesentery, transverse mesocolon, sigmoid mesocolon, greater omentum, lesser omentum, falciform ligament.
26
What is the difference between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs?
Intraperitoneal organs are fully surrounded by visceral peritoneum, while retroperitoneal organs are located behind the peritoneal sac.
27
What are the boundaries of the oral cavity?
Anterior: lips (labia), lateral: cheeks, superior: hard and soft palate, inferior: mylohyoid muscle, posterior: fauces.
28
What are the functions of the oral cavity?
Ingestion, secretion, mixing & propulsion, digestion (mechanical & chemical), absorption, defecation.
29
Which cranial nerve innervates the muscles of facial expression?
Facial Nerve, CNVII.
30
What is the lohyoid muscle?
The lohyoid muscle is a muscle located in the neck that assists in swallowing.
31
What is the oral vestibule?
The oral vestibule is the space between the cheeks/lips and the gingivae.
32
What structures are key to the oral cavity?
Key structures include the lips, fauces, hard palate, soft palate, gingiva, tongue, and teeth.
33
What is the function of the lips in ingestion?
Lips open to receive food and close to maintain food inside.
34
What muscle is responsible for lip movement?
The orbicularis oris muscle.
35
What is the function of the buccinator muscle?
The buccinator muscle holds food between the teeth.
36
What are the major salivary glands?
The major salivary glands include the parotid gland, submandibular gland, and sublingual gland.
37
What stimulates salivary secretion?
Parasympathetic stimulation enhances secretion, while sympathetic stimulation suppresses it.
38
What is the composition of saliva?
Saliva is 99.5% water and contains digestive enzymes like amylase and lingual lipase.
39
What nerve innervates the parotid gland?
The glossopharyngeal nerve (CNIX).
40
What nerve innervates the submandibular and sublingual glands?
The facial nerve (CNVII).
41
What is mastication?
Mastication is the crushing or grinding of food between the teeth.
42
What are the muscles of mastication?
The muscles of mastication include the temporalis, masseter, and medial & lateral pterygoids.
43
What nerve innervates the muscles of mastication?
Mandibular division of Trigeminal Nerve (CNV3).
44
What are the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue?
Intrinsic muscles are within the tongue, while extrinsic muscles include genioglossus, geniohyoid, hyoglossus, styloglossus, and palatoglossus.
45
What nerves innervate the tongue muscles?
Palatoglossus: Vagus nerve (CNX); all other tongue muscles: Hypoglossal nerve (CNXII).
46
What is the function of the pharynx in digestion?
mixing & propulsion
47
What are the divisions of the pharynx?
The divisions of the pharynx are nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
48
What occurs during the voluntary phase of swallowing?
The tongue pushes the bolus into the oropharynx.
49
What occurs during the involuntary phase of swallowing?
Breathing pauses, the soft palate elevates, vocal cords close, and pharyngeal constrictors contract to push the bolus toward the esophagus.
50
What is the purpose of lifting and tensing the soft palate during swallowing?
To close the passage between the oropharynx and nasopharynx, preventing food from entering the nasal cavity.
51
What is the structure of the esophagus?
The esophagus has a mucosal layer lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and muscularis layers varying from skeletal to smooth muscle.
52
What is peristalsis?
Peristalsis is the coordinated, wave-like contraction of muscularis layers propelling food from the pharynx to the stomach.
53
What are the regions of the stomach?
The regions of the stomach are cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus.
54
What are rugae in the stomach?
Rugae are folds in the inner walls of the stomach that allow for expansion.
55
What is the role of the cardiac sphincter?
Injury or weakness of the cardiac sphincter may cause acid reflux, or 'heartburn.'
56
What is the primary function of the small intestine?
The small intestine is involved in ingestion, secretion, mixing & propulsion, digestion, absorption, and defecation.
57
What are the regions of the small intestine?
The regions of the small intestine are duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
58
What is the function of villi in the small intestine?
Villi are projections of mucosa that increase surface area for absorption.
59
What are the major sources of digestive fluids in the small intestine?
The liver (bile), pancreas (pancreatic juice), and duodenal epithelium (intestinal juice).
60
What is the role of the large intestine?
The large intestine is responsible for water absorption, electrolyte absorption, and vitamin absorption.
61
What are the regions of the large intestine?
The regions of the large intestine include the appendix, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.
62
What is haustral churning?
Haustral churning is the movement where haustra relax while filling and contract to move chyme to adjacent haustra.
63
What is the sequence of events in defecation?
Mass peristalsis forces feces into the rectum, leading to distension, activation of stretch receptors, and the relaxation of sphincters.
64
What are the major digestive enzymes in the mouth?
Amylase and lingual lipase.
65
What enzyme is responsible for breaking down starches in the mouth?
Amylase.
66
What is the role of pepsin in the stomach?
Pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.
67
What is the function of bile in digestion?
Bile emulsifies fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets for easier digestion by lipase.
68
What are the major hormones involved in digestion, and where do they act?
Gastrin (stomach), Secretin (small intestine), CCK (small intestine), Ghrelin (stomach).
69
What is the role of the pancreas in digestion?
The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, proteases) and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine.
70
How does the stomach protect itself from its own acidic environment?
The stomach secretes a thick layer of mucus that protects the mucosa from hydrochloric acid.
71
What is the function of the large intestine?
Absorption of water and electrolytes, and formation of feces.
72
What is the role of the appendix in digestion?
It is believed to store beneficial bacteria and may play a role in immune function.
73
What is the function of the enteric nervous system (ENS)?
The enteric nervous system regulates digestion by controlling peristalsis, the secretion of digestive enzymes, and the contraction of muscles within the gastrointestinal tract.
74
What are the two components of the enteric nervous system?
The two components of the enteric nervous system are the myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus.
75
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system affect digestion?
The sympathetic division inhibits digestion by reducing motility and secretion, while the parasympathetic division enhances digestion by stimulating motility and secretion.
76
What is the function of the submucosal plexus?
The submucosal plexus regulates enzyme secretion, blood flow, and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
77
What is the difference between intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal organs?
Intraperitoneal organs are fully surrounded by the visceral peritoneum, whereas retroperitoneal organs are located behind the peritoneal sac and are only partially covered by peritoneum.
78
What are the major components of the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract?
The mucosal layer consists of the epithelium, lamina propria (connective tissue), and muscularis mucosa (smooth muscle).
79
What are the functions of the submucosa layer of the gastrointestinal tract?
The submucosa layer supports the mucosa, contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and glands that secrete digestive enzymes and mucus.
80
What are the layers of the muscularis externa in the gastrointestinal tract?
The muscularis externa has two layers: the inner circular layer and the outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle.
81
What is the function of the serosa/adventitia in the gastrointestinal tract?
The serosa (or adventitia) protects and anchors the gastrointestinal tract and reduces friction between organs.
82
What are the functions of the liver in digestion?
The liver produces bile, detoxifies harmful substances, stores glucose as glycogen, and processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.
83
What is bile, and what is its role in digestion?
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats, aiding in their digestion and absorption in the small intestine.
84
What is the role of the gallbladder in digestion?
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine to help digest fats.
85
What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?
The pancreas produces pancreatic juice containing enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.
86
What is the role of the mesentery in the abdominal cavity?
The mesentery is a fold of peritoneum that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall, providing support and housing blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels.
87
What are the roles of the large intestine in digestion?
The large intestine absorbs water, electrolytes, and vitamins, while also forming and storing feces for elimination.
88
What is the role of the anus in digestion?
The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces are expelled from the body.
89
What are the stages of digestion, and where do they occur in the gastrointestinal tract?
The stages of digestion include ingestion (oral cavity), propulsion (pharynx and esophagus), mechanical digestion (stomach and small intestine), chemical digestion (stomach and small intestine), absorption (small intestine), and defecation (large intestine and rectum).
90
What are the major digestive enzymes and their functions?
Amylase (breaks down carbohydrates), pepsin (breaks down proteins), lipase (breaks down lipids), and pancreatic enzymes (digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the small intestine).
91
What is the role of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach?
Hydrochloric acid in the stomach helps to denature proteins, activate digestive enzymes like pepsin, and kill harmful microorganisms.
92
What are the phases of gastric secretion?
The phases of gastric secretion are the cephalic phase (triggered by sight or smell of food), the gastric phase (triggered by food in the stomach), and the intestinal phase (regulated by the presence of chyme in the duodenum).
93
How do the pH levels in the stomach and small intestine affect digestion?
The acidic environment in the stomach aids protein digestion, while the slightly alkaline pH in the small intestine facilitates enzyme activity for digestion and absorption.
94
What is the role of intestinal motility in digestion?
Intestinal motility, including peristalsis and segmentation, mixes food and digestive juices and moves chyme along the gastrointestinal tract for absorption.
95
What is the role of the ileocecal valve in digestion?
The ileocecal valve regulates the flow of chyme from the ileum of the small intestine into the cecum of the large intestine, preventing backflow.
96
What is the role of the pancreas in regulating blood sugar levels?
The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels, with insulin lowering blood glucose and glucagon raising it.
97
Where does secretion in the stomach occur?
In the mucosal epithelium.
98
What types of cells are found in the mucosal epithelium of the stomach?
Exocrine cells (mucous, chief, parietal) and endocrine cells (G cells).
99
What is the structural arrangement of secretory cells in the stomach?
They are organized into gastric pits.
100
What do mucous cells secrete, and what do they absorb?
Secrete mucous; absorb water, ions, some drugs (aspirin), and alcohol.
101
What do chief cells secrete, and what are the functions of their products?
Pepsinogen (becomes pepsin with HCl, digests proteins) and gastric lipase (digests triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides).
102
What do parietal cells secrete, and what are the functions of their secretions?
Hydrochloric acid (denatures proteins, activates pepsinogen, kills pathogens) and intrinsic factor (needed for vitamin B12 absorption).
103
What hormone do G cells secrete, and what does it do?
Gastrin; stimulates gastric juice secretion and increases gut motility.
104
Which muscle layers are present in the stomach muscularis?
Longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers.
105
What mechanical processes occur in the stomach to aid digestion?
Churning (mixes food with acid and gastric juices) and peristalsis (pushes chyme toward the duodenum).
106
What is the role of the pyloric sphincter?
Regulates the passage of chyme from the stomach to the duodenum.
107
What is the primary function of the esophagus?
Transports food from the pharynx to the stomach via peristalsis.
108
What are the major salivary glands, and what do they secrete?
Parotid (serous), submandibular (serous and mucous), and sublingual (mostly mucous).
109
What enzymes are present in saliva and their functions?
Salivary amylase (digests starch) and lingual lipase (activated in the stomach, digests fats).
110
What is the function of the small intestine’s villi and microvilli?
Increase surface area for nutrient absorption.
111
What is the function of the large intestine?
Absorbs water and electrolytes, forms and stores feces.
112
What are the main cells of the small intestine mucosa and their functions?
Enterocytes (absorption), goblet cells (secrete mucous), enteroendocrine cells (secrete hormones like CCK and secretin), Paneth cells (antimicrobial defense).
113
What is the function of bile and where is it produced?
Emulsifies fats for digestion; produced by the liver.
114
Where is bile stored and concentrated?
Gallbladder.
115
What is the role of the pancreas in digestion?
Secretes digestive enzymes (lipase, amylase, proteases) and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.
116
What is the function of the hepatic portal vein?
Transports nutrient-rich blood from the GI tract to the liver for processing.

ANATOMY 403 EXAM 4 (4 decks)

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