Physiology 2.0 Flashcards
(204 cards)
Lecture 1 = Physiology & Pharmacology of the LARGE INTESTINE
Lecture 1 = Physiology & Pharmacology of the LARGE INTESTINE
how long is the large intestine approximately?
1.7m long, average 6cm in diameter
what 4 things does the large intestine comprise?
1) caecum & appendix
2) colon
3) rectum
4) anal canal & anus
what are the 4 parts to the colon?
- ascending
- transverse
- descending
- sigmoid
what is the longitudinal smooth muscle in caecum and colon divided into?
= 3 strands called taeniae coli.
what do the 3 strands; taeniae coli encircle?
= the rectum and anal canal
when is the smooth muscle of he colon and caecum thickened?
= a he internal anal sphincter
what is the internal anal sphincter surrounded by?
- skeletal muscle of external anal sphincter
what does activity of taeniae coli and circular muscle layers in colon cause?
= ‘sac-like’ bulges = the hausfrau
- that very slowly change location
Yes or No.
Does the caecum and appendix have specialised functions in humans?
= No.
how much material, e.g. indigestible residues, un-absorbable biliary components, unabsorbed fluid, does the caecum normally receive?
1.0 - 2.0L per day
where does the caecum receive these materials from?
the terminal ileum
how is entry from terminal ileum to caecum permitted?
by gastro-ideal reflex in response to gastrin and CCK through the ‘one-way’ ileocaecal valve.
how does the ileocaecal valve act?
- maintaining + resting pressure
- relaxing in response to distension of duodenum
- contraction in response to distension of ascending colon
- being under control of vagus nerve, sympathetic nerves, enteric neurones and hormonal signals
what is the appendix?
= a blind ended tube with extensive lymphoid tissue connected to distal caecum via the appendiceal orifice
how can appendicitis arise?
= through obstruction of appendices by a faecalith
what are the 4 functions of the colon?
1) absorption
2) secretion
3) reservoir
4) periodic elimination of faeces
describe what the colon absorbs and why they absorb this?
1) Na+, Cl- and H20
- to condense ileocaecal material to solid, or semi-solid, stool
2) short chain fatty acids
- carbohydrates not absorbed by small intestine is fermented any colonic flora to short chain fatty acids
what does the colon secrete and keep for a reservoir?
Secretes = K+, HCO3- and mucus
Reservoir = storage of colonic contents
what are faeces composed of?
(150g of faeces a day)
- 100g H20
- 50g solid including cellulose, bacteria, billirubin, small amount of salt
what does the mucosa of colon lack and posses?
Lacks = villi
Possesses; = colonic folds = crypts = microvilli - that increase the surface area
what mediates electrolyte absorption in the colon?
= surface epithelial cells (colonocytes) mediate electrolyte absorption which by osmosis, drives absorption of H20
what do crypt cells mediate?
= ion secretion
what do goblet cells secrete?
= copious mucus containing glucosaminoglycans - hydrated to form a slippery surface gel
= trefoil proteins involved in host defence