Gastrointestinal

Physiology
Introduction To Gastrointestinal
Physiology
Secretory Functions Of
Alimentary Tract:Ch.64.
Dr. Nusrat Tariq (M.Phill., Ph.D Scholar)
Associate Professor
Department of physiology
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lecture you should be able to:
1- Describe the structure of Gastrointestinal tract.
2. Elaborate various functions of GIT.
3. Enlist anatomical Types of GIT glands.
3. Explain general principles of GIT Secretions.
Gastrointestinal physiology:

A branch of human physiology that addresses

the physical function of the gastrointestinal
(GI) system.

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 .

Gastrointestinal system:
1-The GIT— a series of hollow organs:
Mouth
Esophagus
stomach
small intestine
large intestine— rectum and anus.
2- Solid accessory organs:
Liver
Pancreas
Gallbladder
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 Primary Functions of Digestive System
1.Ingestion - getting food into the GI tract (eating)
2.Propulsion - moving food along the tract by swallowing and peristalsis (wave-
like motion)
3.Mechanical Digestion - the physical grinding and churning of foodstuffs to
breakdown and expose to enzymes and the surface of the GI tract
4.Chemical Digestion - breakdown of larger molecules into absorbable parts by
enzymatic action
5.Absorption - transport of digested molecules, vitamins, minerals, water, into
blood
6. Excretion - elimination of unused foodstuff, heavy metals, toxins,
alkaloids.(feces).
7. Helps Erythropoises by secreting intrinsic factor needed for Vitamin B12
absorption
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.

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Typical cross section of the Gut
Typical cross section of the Gut
Typical cross section of the Gut
Typical cross section of the Gut
Typical cross section of the Gut
Dr. Alzoghaibi 16
The Musculature of the Digestive
Tract

• Two Main Muscle Layers:

 Longitudinal muscle layer
 Circular muscle layer
 Oblique muscle layer (stomach only)

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 The Musculature of the Digestive Tract
Longitudinal Muscle:
 Contraction shortens the segment of the
intestine and expands the lumen
Circular muscle:
 Thicker and more powerful than longitudinal.
 Contraction reduces the diameter of the lumen
and increases its length .

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 SMOOTH MUSCLE OF G.I.T

1.Unitary type,visceral or syncytial

smooth muscle.
2.Multiunit type smooth muscle.

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Unitary type,visceral or syncytial smooth
muscle.

Contract spontaneously in response to

stretch (such as in stomach and
intestine)
Cells are electrically coupled via gap
junctions so each muscle layer functions
as a syncytium.
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Multiunit type smooth muscle.
Contract in response to neural
input (such as in esophagus & gall
bladder).
Composed of discrete
independently working smooth
muscle fibers ,each of which is
innervated by single nerve ending.

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 GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF
ALIMENTARY TRACT SECRETION

Dr.Nusrat Tariq (M.Phill., Ph.D Scholar)

Associate Professor
Department of physiology
 Types of Alimentary Tract Glands
1-single-cell mucous glands/mucous cells /goblet
cells:
Secrete mucus. Present in most parts of GIT.
2-Pits: Invaginations of the epithelium into the
submucosa.
Example: crypts of Lieberkühn in small intestine
3-Deep tubular glands:
Mostly in the stomach and upper duodenum
4- Complex glands:
Example: the salivary glands, pancreas, and liver
 BASIC MECHANISMS OF STIMULATION
OF THE GIT GLANDS
1-Contact of Food with the Epithelium Stimulates
Secretion—Function of Enteric Nervous Stimuli
2-Autonomic Stimulation of Secretion:
 Parasympathetic Stimulation Increases the GIT
Glandular Secretion Rate.
Sympathetic Stimulation Has a Dual Effect on the
Alimentary Tract Glandular Secretion Rate
Sympathetic stimulation reduces the secretion due
to vasoconstriction.
3-Regulation of Glandular Secretion by Hormones
 BASIC MECHANISM OF SECRETION
BY GLANDULAR CELLS
1- Secretion of Organic Substances.
2-Water and Electrolyte Secretion.
 BASIC MECHANISM OF SECRETION
BY GLANDULAR CELLS
1- Secretion of Organic Substances.
 BASIC MECHANISM OF SECRETION
BY GLANDULAR CELLS
2-Water and Electrolyte Secretion.
• Hormonal and nervous stimulation
cause secretory effects.
Thank You
for your
attention