GIT Physiology 1
GIT Physiology 1
GIT Physiology 1
Tract Physiology
By. Dr. Ayesha Fatima
GI
T
Function: The GI tract provides a continuous
supply of water, nutrients and electrolytes to
the body.
To achieve this target we need:
1. M ovement (Motility)
2. Secretion of glands
3. Absorption of nutrients
4. Circulation of blood (splanchnic circulation)
5. Control of all these functions (nervous and
hormonal)
Major Components of GIT
1.Mouth (oral cavity)
•
2.Pharynx (throat)
3.Esophagus (food pipe)
4.Stomach
5.Small intestine
•
Duodenum
•
jejunum ileum
5.
Large
intestine
•
Cecum appendix
colon
•
Rectum Anus
Typical cross section of Gut
•
A typical cross section
shows:
1. Serosa
2. Longitudinal smooth
Muscle layer
3. Circular smooth
–
muscle
–
4. Submucosa
5. Mucosa
Outer most Layer: Serosa (serous
layer)
•
Outer covering of the
tube.
•
Visceral peritoneum.
•
Secretes serous fluid to
keep the outside of
the organs lubricated
and moist, thus
performs a protective
function.
Peritoneum
•
The GI smooth muscle acts as a functional
syncytium.
– Due to presence of Gap junctions.
•
Therefore, whenever an action potential is
generated within the muscle mass, it travels in all
directions.
Electrical activity in GIT
•
The RMP is -50 to -55
mV. This can be
changed to different
levels to control the
motor activity of the
gut.
There are two types of
electrical waves:
– Slow waves-
– Spike potentials.
Slow W aves
• Not true action
potential
• Function:
They lead the RMP to
threshold value so that
–
•
Ionic basis of action potentials/spike potential:
– In GIT, the ion channels involved are slow Calcium-
Sodium channels.
– The slowness accounts for the long duration of the action
potential in the GI smooth muscle.
Neural Control of the GI
Function
•
Neural Controls:
– Extrinsic (3)
Parasympathetic.
Sympathetic.
•
– Intrinsic(2)
Myenteric plexus.
Submucosal plexus.
– Neurotransmitter:
•
Norepinephrine.
•
Some amounts of Epinephrine
•
.
– Function:
Inhibition of GI secretion, motor activity.
Contraction of GI sphincters and blood
vessels.
Intrinsic/ Enteric Nervous System:
Submucosal (Meissner’s)
plexus.
Myenteric (Auerbach’s)
plexus.
Enteric Nervous System
Myenteric plexus (AuerbaCh’s plexus):
Exerts control
primarily over
digestive tract
motility.
–
Myenteric plexus
Principal effects:
•
Increased tone.
•
Increased intensity of
contractions.
•
Increased rate of contractions.
•
Increased velocity of conduction.
Enteric Nervous System
Submucosal plexus
(M e i s s n e r ’ s plexus)
– Buried in the
Submucosa.
– Controls epithelial
cell function (local
intestinal secretion
and absorption).
– May be sparse or
missing in some parts of
GI tract.
Types of Enteric Neurotransmitters in enteric
neurons
– Acetylcholine:
Excitatory
– Stimulates smooth muscle contraction.
– Increases intestinal secretions.
– Releases enteric hormones.
– Dilates the blood vessels.
– Norepinephrine:
Derived from extrinsic sympathetic neurons.
•
Inhibits the GI activity.
Causes vasoconstriction
– Others (some are
excitatory some are
inhibitory)
•
Adenosine tri phosphate (ATP), Serotonin,
Dopamine, Cholecystokinin, VIP, Somatostatin,
Factors that increase depolarization
of membrane (more excitable)
Sympathetic stimulation
Effect of epinephrine and nor epinephrine
Hormonal Control of the GI M otility
•
Following hormones affect the motility of the
gut in addition to their digestive functions:
1. Gastrin.
2. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
3. Secretin.
4. Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP)
5. Motilin.
1. GASTRIN:
Actions:
– 1. Increases HCl production in stomach.
– 2. Increases gastric motility.
– 3. Stimulates growth of gastric mucosa.
– 4. Contracts lower esophageal sphincter.
– 5. Relaxes pyloric sphincter.
2. CHOLECYSTOKININ
(CCK):
Secretion: By I cells in the mucosa of the
duodenum
and jejunum.
Stimulus: Chyme rich in digestive products of
triglycerides and fatty acids and monoglycerides
and amino acids.
Actions:
– Contracts the gallbladder.
– Opens the Sphincter of Oddi.
– Increases secretion of pancreatic juice rich in digestive
enzymes.
– Inhibits gastric secretion and motility.
–
3.
SECRETIN
Secretion: By S cells in the mucosa of the
duodenum.
Stimulus: Acid chyme (H+), fatty acids in the
small intestine causes secretion of Secretin.
Actions:
– Stimulates the watery secretion of pancreatic juice and
bile that is rich in bicarbonate ions. MCQ
– Inhibit production of HCl in stomach.
– Promotes growth and maintenance of the pancreas.
– Enhances the effects of Cholecystokinin (CCK)
4. Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP)/Glucose
dependent insulinotropic peptide
1. Propulsive movements/peristalsis
2. M ixing movements.
•
Both are brought about by the Enteric nervous system, but
are influenced by the Extrinsic nervous system, especially
the Parasympathetic nervous system.
Propulsive movements/peristalsis
•
Controlled by:
– Actual peristalsis is brought about by the Myenteric
nervous system.
– But it is influenced by the Parasympathetic nervous
system.
Mixing Movements
•
Differ in most parts of the gut.
•
Segmentations in small
intestines
•
Haustrations in large
intestines
•
They bring about chopping
and shearing of food.
–