Systems 2 - Gastrointestinal Flashcards
(289 cards)
Functions of the GI tract
DIGESTION - process by which food and large molecules are chemically degraded to produce smaller molecules.
ABSORPTION - process by which nutrient molecules are absorbed by cells that live in the GI tract, and enter the blood stream.
Layered structure of GI tract
Same overall structure throughout, but some regional variation.
Serosa Longitudinal muscle - Muscularis externa MYENTERIC PLEXUS Circular muscle - Muscularis externa SUBMUCOSAL PLEXUS (only small + large intestines) Submucosa Muscularis mucosae - Lamina propria - Mucosa Epithelium -
Amplification of surface area in GI tract
- Folds of kerching / pilacae circulares - gross folds in small intestine, moved by muscularis mucosae
- Villi and crypts
- Microvilli on villus columnar epithelial cells - covered in network of glycocalyx to create unstirred layer essential for absorption of fat
Crypt - positioning of cells
TOP
Absorptive cell (goblet cells interspersed)
Microvacuolated columnar cell
Stem / progenitor cell (can turn over whole cell population in 2 weeks)
Enteric endocrine cell
BOTTOM
Absorptive cell
Basolateral membrane:
Na/K ATPase (Na⁺ out, K⁺ in)
Na/Cl cotransporter (Na⁺ and K⁺ in, Cl⁻ in)
K⁺ channel (K⁺ out)
Apical membrane:
Cl⁻ out into lumen
Na⁺ and H₂O move paracellularly into lumen, following Cl⁻
Gastrointestinal secretions
From salivary glands, gastric glands, exocrine pancreas, liver-biliary system, intestine.
8-9L/day
Contains - enzymes, ions, water, mucus
Function - breakdown large compounds, regulate pH, duilute, protect
Blood circulation of GI tract
Splanchnic circulation directs blood leaving small intestine to liver for processing, before entering IVC
Progressive activation following a meal, stomach first
Microvasculature of villus
Arteriole
Venule - amino acids and sugars leave here
Central lacteal - fats broken down, resynthesised and transported out here
Regulatory mechanisms to control GI function
ENDOCRINE - release of transmitter into blood for delivery to distant target cell
PARACRINE - release of transmitter from sensor cell to adjacent target cell without entering blood or activating neurones (local regulation)
NEURONAL
GI hormones
Gastrin - regulates gastric secretion and motility
Cholecystokinin (CCK) - gallbladder contraction and pancreatic secretion
Somatostatin - inhibits gastric secretion
Enteric nervous system
Postganglionic parasympathetic neurones
100 million neurones in (same as in spinal chord)
Myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus are complete self-sustaining networks of neurones
Transmitters in intrinsic and extrinsic NS
Intrinsic NS can self-regulate, Extrinsic NS enhances long term.
Intrinsic NS - acetylcholine and substance P are excitatory
- vasoactive intestinal peptide and nitric oxide are inhibitory
Extrinsic NS - acetylcholine for parasympathetic
- noradrenaline for sympathetic
Mechanisms for stimulating acid secretion
Hormonal regulation Neuronal regulation (before food even in stomach)
Multiple mechanisms
- > redundancy
- > precise control
Phases of GI control
Cephalic (sight, smell, taste, chewing)
Gastric (distension of stomach wall, acidity)
Intestinal (distension of SI wall, acidity, osmolarity)
Non-propulsive movement / segmentation
Rhythmic contraction and relaxation of circular muscle
Mixes chyme and brings all into contact with mucosal surface
Peristalsis
Relatively infrequent
Progressive contraction of successive sections of circular muscle
Propels chyme a short distance, allowing time for digestion and absorption
Reservoir function of GI tract
Lower oesophageal sphincter and pyloric sphincter allow stomach to act as reservoir
Tonic, long lasting contractions allow stomach to hold and process food-stuffs
Length of time depends on contents, longest hold for proteins and fats
GI smooth muscle cells
Small
Muscle fibres act together as a single functional unit, gap junctions for coordinated contraction
Contraction of GI smooth muscle cells regulated by calcium
Calmodulin + calcium
+ myosin light chain kinase
+ ATP + myosin with nonphosphorylated light chain
-> activated proteins
Raised intracellular calcium -> contraction
Mechanisms of Ca²⁺ release
Voltage-independent Ca²⁺ channel (Ca²⁺ induced Ca²⁺ release to ryanodine receptor)
Voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel (Ca²⁺ induced Ca²⁺ release to ryanodine receptor)
G protein receptor -> intracellular signal via IP3-gated Ca²⁺ channel
Smooth muscle action potentials
Slow waves over seconds, not ms
Depolarised resting membrane potential
Oscillating membrane potential
Low amplitude (5-15mV)
Variable frequency (3-12/min), slowest in stomach, fastest in SI
Modulated by hormones, intrinsic/extrinsic nerves, body temp, metabolic activity
Fasted vs fed state affect on smooth muscle action potentials
Fasted - migrating motor complex
- periods of none, then bursts of muscular activity
- needed to clean GI tract to prepare for next meal
Fed - segmentation and peristalsis
- continuous low level activity
Sphincters
Specialised circular muscles separate two adjacent components of GI tract
Maintains positive resting pressure
Regulate forward and reverse movement
Regulation coordinated with smooth muscle contractions of adjacent compartments
One way valves, only open for pressure on proximal end
Salivary secretion
Parotid gland - largest salivary gland, serous secretion rich in α-amylase
Submandibular and sublingual glands - seromucous secretion
Minor glands scattered throughout oral cavity - muscous secretion rich in mucin glycoproteins