Glands of Digestion: Gallbladder and Pancreas

Question 1

Where is the gallbladder (GB)? What is the bulk of it?

Answer 1

A small organ inferior to the liver

Its body makes up the bulk of it

Question 2

What connects to the narrow neck of the GB?

Answer 2

Cystic duct

Question 3

What are the functions of the GB?

Answer 3

Store bile (70mL)
Concentrate bile

Question 4

What are two types of bile?

Answer 4

Hepatic bile

Cystic bile

Question 5

What is primary bile from the liver called?

Answer 5

Hepatic bile

Question 6

What is concentrated bile from the GB called?

Answer 6

Cystic bile

Question 7

What controls bile release?

Answer 7

Vagus nerve and CCK

Question 8

What is the surface epithelium of the GB?

Answer 8

Simple columnar

Question 9

What cell types are present within the GB?

Answer 9

Clear cells (cholangiocytes)
Brush cells

Question 10

What makes clear cells unique and what is their function?

Answer 10

They have many microvilli

Function to concentrate bile by absorbing water

Question 11

What is the function of brush cells? Are they numerous?

Answer 11

Function to produce mucinogen (lubricating)

Few brush cells in GB

Question 12

How is the lamina propria in the GB?

Answer 12

Loose and very vascular CT

Question 13

What is present in the neck of the GB?

Answer 13

Small mucous glands

Question 14

What is the function of the lamina propria of the GB?

Answer 14

To lubricate the narrow neck lumen

Question 15

Does the GB have a muscularis mucosa?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

Why is development of gallstones in the GB significant?

Answer 16

GB lacks a submucosa

Question 17

How is the pattern of the submucosa of the GB?

Answer 17

Not normal; thin smooth muscle layer with a disorganized muscle arrangement

Question 18

Does the GB have serosa and adventitia?

Answer 18

Yes, mostly *serosa but adventitia is present where GB attaches to the liver

Question 19

What surrounds the pancreas?

Answer 19

Thin CT capsule

Question 20

What creates lobules within the pancreas?

Answer 20

Septa diving into pancreas

Question 21

What makes up the endocrine pancreas?

Answer 21

Islets of Langerhans producing hormones

Question 22

What makes up the exocrine pancreas?

Answer 22

Serous acini producing digestive enzymes

Question 23

What is the largest portion of the pancreas?

Answer 23

Exocrine portion

Question 24

What are the 2 main features that make up the exocrine pancreas?

Answer 24

Serous (pancreatic) acini

Pancreatic ducts

Question 25

What controls secretion of serous (pancreatic) acini?

Answer 25

CCK and ACH from parasympathetics

Question 26

What controls secretion of the pancreatic ducts?

Answer 26

Water and bicarbonate secretion controlled by Secretin and ACH from parasympathetics

Question 27

What is the function of bicarbonate?

Answer 27

To neutralize chyme in the duodenum

Question 28

What cells are present in the pancreatic ducts?

Answer 28

Centroacinar cells

Question 29

Where are centroacinar cells located?

Answer 29

Next to acinar cells

Question 30

What produces alkaline fluid containing large amounts of bicarbonate ions?

Answer 30

Centroacinar cells along with cuboid cells in intercalated pancreatic ducts

Question 31

Why is alkaline fluid released into the duodenum?

Answer 31

To buffer stomach chyme (acidic!)

Question 32

What wraps around the pancreatic ducts and why?

Answer 32

Collagen rich CT wraps around pancreatic ducts to give extra protection from possible leaking of digestive enzymes