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The primary functions of the GI tract include the digestion Digestion Digestion refers to the process of the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller particles, which can then be absorbed and utilized by the body. Digestion and Absorption of food and the absorption Absorption Absorption involves the uptake of nutrient molecules and their transfer from the lumen of the GI tract across the enterocytes and into the interstitial space, where they can be taken up in the venous or lymphatic circulation. Digestion and Absorption of nutrients. Multiple organs in the GI system secrete various substances into the lumen to assist in digestion Digestion Digestion refers to the process of the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller particles, which can then be absorbed and utilized by the body. Digestion and Absorption and/or the regulation of GI function. The majority of digestive secretions come from the salivary glands Salivary glands The salivary glands are exocrine glands positioned in and around the oral cavity. These glands are responsible for secreting saliva into the mouth, which aids in digestion. There are 3 major paired salivary glands: the sublingual, submandibular, and parotid glands. Salivary Glands: Anatomy, stomach Stomach The stomach is a muscular sac in the upper left portion of the abdomen that plays a critical role in digestion. The stomach develops from the foregut and connects the esophagus with the duodenum. Structurally, the stomach is C-shaped and forms a greater and lesser curvature and is divided grossly into regions: the cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus. Stomach: Anatomy, pancreas Pancreas The pancreas lies mostly posterior to the stomach and extends across the posterior abdominal wall from the duodenum on the right to the spleen on the left. This organ has both exocrine and endocrine tissue. Pancreas: Anatomy, and gallbladder Gallbladder The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac, located directly beneath the liver, that sits on top of the superior part of the duodenum. The primary functions of the gallbladder include concentrating and storing up to 50 mL of bile. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy, although the intestines secrete fluids and mucus too, which are critical in protecting their inner walls.
Last updated: Aug 4, 2022
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Digestion Digestion Digestion refers to the process of the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller particles, which can then be absorbed and utilized by the body. Digestion and Absorption is divided into 3 phases, namely cephalic, gastric, and intestinal.
There are 3 primary salivary glands Salivary glands The salivary glands are exocrine glands positioned in and around the oral cavity. These glands are responsible for secreting saliva into the mouth, which aids in digestion. There are 3 major paired salivary glands: the sublingual, submandibular, and parotid glands. Salivary Glands: Anatomy (all with a tubuloacinar structure), which together produce a combination of serous and mucous secretions.
Saliva Saliva The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains mucins, water, organic salts, and ptyalin. Salivary Glands: Anatomy consists of:
Overview:
Acinar cells:
Acinar cells secrete a filtrate containing Na+, K+, Cl–, HCO3–, water, and other substances.
Ductal cells:
Ductal cells modify the filtrate as it moves through the ducts, ultimately reabsorbing Na+ and Cl– and secreting more K+ and HCO3–.
Xerostomia Xerostomia Decreased salivary flow. Sjögren’s Syndrome, or dry mouth, is the clinical term used to identify impaired salivary secretion Secretion Coagulation Studies, which occurs commonly as part of Sjögren syndrome Sjögren Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis, as an adverse effect of some medications (such as antidepressants, antihypertensives Antihypertensives The 1st-line medication classes for hypertension include thiazide-like diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers (CCBS). Contraindications, adverse effects, and drug-to-drug interactions are agent specific. Hypertension Drugs, or anticholinergics Anticholinergics Anticholinergic drugs block the effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the muscarinic receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Anticholinergic agents inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in effects on the smooth muscle in the respiratory tract, vascular system, urinary tract, GI tract, and pupils of the eyes. Anticholinergic Drugs), and in individuals undergoing radiation Radiation Emission or propagation of acoustic waves (sound), electromagnetic energy waves (such as light; radio waves; gamma rays; or x-rays), or a stream of subatomic particles (such as electrons; neutrons; protons; or alpha particles). Osteosarcoma therapy for head and neck Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the head to the rest of the body. Peritonsillar Abscess cancers.
Gastric oxyntic glands are found below (and emptying into) the gastric pits. The glands contain numerous cell types, including:
Layers of the stomach wall:
In the epithelium, gastric pits lead to gastric glands that secrete a variety of substances to aid in digestion.
Structure of a gastric gland with its different cell types
Image by Lecturio.Ion movement in parietal cells:
Carbonic acid dissociates into H+ and HCO3–. The H+ is exchanged for K+ in the apical membrane by H+/K+ ATPase. An HCO3– is exchanged for Cl– in the basolateral membrane; Cl– is then moved into the lumen.
Gastric secretions are heavily influenced by parasympathetic signaling via the vagus nerve Vagus nerve The 10th cranial nerve. The vagus is a mixed nerve which contains somatic afferents (from skin in back of the ear and the external auditory meatus), visceral afferents (from the pharynx, larynx, thorax, and abdomen), parasympathetic efferents (to the thorax and abdomen), and efferents to striated muscle (of the larynx and pharynx). Pharynx: Anatomy (cranial nerve X), which releases ACh ACh A neurotransmitter found at neuromuscular junctions, autonomic ganglia, parasympathetic effector junctions, a subset of sympathetic effector junctions, and at many sites in the central nervous system. Receptors and Neurotransmitters of the CNS that induces acid production by several pathways.
Diagram showing stimulation and inhibition pathways for acid secretion in a parietal cell:
Gastrin and acetylcholine activate Gq, a G protein, which cleaves phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). Inositol trisphosphate causes calcium (Ca+2) release from the ER, while DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC) via phosphorylation. Both Ca+2 and PKC stimulate the H+/K+ pump to secrete acid. Histamine activates Gs, which activates adenylate cyclase (AC), resulting in an increase of intracellular cAMP. Next, cAMP activates protein kinase A (PKA), which stimulates the H+/K+ pump to secrete acid. Somatostatin and prostaglandins inhibit acid production by inducing Gi, which inhibits AC.
CCK: cholecystokinin
PLC: phospholipase C
Ach: acetylcholine
Diagram detailing the direct and indirect pathways of acid-release stimulation by acetylcholine (ACh):
The direct pathway involves stimulation of the muscarinic (M3) receptors on parietal cells. The indirect pathways involve the stimulation of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, inducing the release of histamine, and the stimulation of G cells inducing them to secrete gastrin. Both histamine and gastrin then stimulate parietal cells to secrete acid.
ENS: enteric nervous system
CCK: cholecystokinin
Somatostatin and prostaglandins Prostaglandins A group of compounds derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway. They are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiological processes. Eicosanoids:
There are 2 types of pancreatic tissues:
A drawing of the pancreas identifying its 2 major tissue components: the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans or pancreatic islets) and exocrine pancreas (exocrine cells or pancreatic acini)
Image by Lecturio.The exocrine pancreas Exocrine pancreas The major component (about 80%) of the pancreas composed of acinar functional units of tubular and spherical cells. The acinar cells synthesize and secrete several digestive enzymes such as trypsinogen; lipase; amylase; and ribonuclease. Secretion from the exocrine pancreas drains into the pancreatic ductal system and empties into the duodenum. Pancreas: Anatomy secretes a mixture known as pancreatic juice Pancreatic Juice The fluid containing digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas in response to food in the duodenum. Pancreas: Anatomy, which contains water, enzymes Enzymes Enzymes are complex protein biocatalysts that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed by them. Due to the body’s constant metabolic needs, the absence of enzymes would make life unsustainable, as reactions would occur too slowly without these molecules. Basics of Enzymes, zymogens (inactive proteins Proteins Linear polypeptides that are synthesized on ribosomes and may be further modified, crosslinked, cleaved, or assembled into complex proteins with several subunits. The specific sequence of amino acids determines the shape the polypeptide will take, during protein folding, and the function of the protein. Energy Homeostasis), HCO3–, and electrolytes Electrolytes Electrolytes are mineral salts that dissolve in water and dissociate into charged particles called ions, which can be either be positively (cations) or negatively (anions) charged. Electrolytes are distributed in the extracellular and intracellular compartments in different concentrations. Electrolytes are essential for various basic life-sustaining functions. Electrolytes:
Pancreatic secretion of ions and their plasma levels:
Note that as the flow rate (x-axis) increases, HCO3– concentration in the pancreatic secretion (y-axis) increases above plasma levels, indicating secretion. The opposite happens to Cl–, where its concentration drops lower than plasma levels, indicating reabsorption.
Secretion of HCO3– by pancreatic ductal cells: CO2 enters the cells, combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3), and then splits into H+ and HCO3–. The H+ is moved back across the basolateral membrane into the interstitial space via an H+/Na+ exchanger, whereas HCO3– is secreted across the apical membrane into the lumen via an HCO3–/Cl– exchanger. The Cl– can be recycled back into the lumen through a Cl– channel. Next, Na+ is removed from the cell across the basolateral membrane via Na+/K+ ATPase. Some of the Na+ moves paracellularly into the lumen, bringing water with it.
Image by Lecturio.Percentage of secretions produced:
Secretion Secretion Coagulation Studies stimulation:
Diagram of an exocrine pancreatic cell and its secretion-stimulation pathways:
Note how vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and secretin increase the concentration of intracellular cAMP, whereas gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), acetylcholine (ACh), and cholecystokinin (CCK) increase intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Both pathways result in phosphorylation of the structural and regulatory proteins, ultimately inducing docking and fusion of secretory granules that contain enzymes.
The primary function of the gallbladder Gallbladder The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac, located directly beneath the liver, that sits on top of the superior part of the duodenum. The primary functions of the gallbladder include concentrating and storing up to 50 mL of bile. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy is the storage and concentration of bile Bile An emulsifying agent produced in the liver and secreted into the duodenum. Its composition includes bile acids and salts; cholesterol; and electrolytes. It aids digestion of fats in the duodenum. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy. Bile Bile An emulsifying agent produced in the liver and secreted into the duodenum. Its composition includes bile acids and salts; cholesterol; and electrolytes. It aids digestion of fats in the duodenum. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy can be concentrated in the gallbladder Gallbladder The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac, located directly beneath the liver, that sits on top of the superior part of the duodenum. The primary functions of the gallbladder include concentrating and storing up to 50 mL of bile. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy by about 5%‒20% through dehydration Dehydration The condition that results from excessive loss of water from a living organism. Volume Depletion and Dehydration:
Mechanism of biliary concentration: Na+ is exchanged for H+ in the apical membrane and later exchanged for K+ in the basolateral membrane. Next, Cl– is exchanged for HCO3– in the apical membrane and moves to the interstitial space through its own channels. The concentration gradient that is produced induces the transcellular and paracellular movement of water.
Image by Lecturio.Bile Bile An emulsifying agent produced in the liver and secreted into the duodenum. Its composition includes bile acids and salts; cholesterol; and electrolytes. It aids digestion of fats in the duodenum. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy is continuously produced by the liver Liver The liver is the largest gland in the human body. The liver is found in the superior right quadrant of the abdomen and weighs approximately 1.5 kilograms. Its main functions are detoxification, metabolism, nutrient storage (e.g., iron and vitamins), synthesis of coagulation factors, formation of bile, filtration, and storage of blood. Liver: Anatomy; thus, regulation is via release Release Release of a virus from the host cell following virus assembly and maturation. Egress can occur by host cell lysis, exocytosis, or budding through the plasma membrane. Virology from the gallbladder Gallbladder The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac, located directly beneath the liver, that sits on top of the superior part of the duodenum. The primary functions of the gallbladder include concentrating and storing up to 50 mL of bile. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract: Anatomy.