What are four basic processes of the digestive system?
What is the primary function of the digestive system?
Transfer nutrients, water, and electrolytes from ingested food into the body’s internal environment
What is the pathway through which food passes within the GI?
What is the musculature of the esophagus composed of?
- Smooth muscle afterwards (1/3)
What are plica?
Folds within the intestine that help increase the surface area
What are the layers to the digestive tract, starting with the innermost layer?
What are the three layers of the mucosa?
What are the functions of the mucous membrane of the mucosa?
- Modified for secretion and absorption
What kind of cells does the mucous membrane of the mucosa contain?
What is the lamina propria? What does it contain?
- Houses gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)
What structure is important in the defense against disease-causing intestinal bacteria?
GALT
What is the muscularis mucosa?
Sparse layer of smooth muscle
What do cells at the base of intestinal crypts (Lieberkuhn) secrete?
Bactericidal enzymes
What are the structures of the small intestine?
What are the folds of the mucosa covered with?
Vili to increase the surface area
What are the folds in the stomach called? What are they marked by?
- Marked by depressions called gastric pits
What is found below gastric pits?
Coiled glands
What does the serosa secrete? What is its function?
- Lubricates and prevents friction between digestive organs and the surrounding viscera
The serosa is continuous with the mesentary throughout the GI tract. What does that provide?
- Supports digestive organs in proper place while allowing them freedom for mixing and propulsive movements
How many salivary glands produce saliva? What is its composition?
- 99.5% H2O, 0.5% electrolytes and protein (amylase)
What is the function of salivary amylase?
Begins digestion of carbohydrates (secreted by serous cells)
Describe the antibacterial action of saliva.
- Saliva rinses away material that could serve as a food source for bacteria
What kind of epithelium is contained within the esophagus?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What does the esophagus contain instead of serosa?
Adventitia