Biol 2420 Lecture 26

Sphincter - thick circular muscles controlling the flux of chyme. portions the amount of chyme moved to
the next section of the GI tract. Makes sure there is no reflux of material

Upper Esophageal Sphincter

under voluntary control

opens so the bolus can pass into the esophagus

the secondary role is to reduce backflow to the pharynx

Lower Esophageal Sphincter (Cardia Sphincter)

made of SM (not a true sphincter)

usually prevents food reflux into esophageus - when not that is heart burn

in infants it is not under good control

Pyloric Sphincter

from stomach to duodenum

portions the amount of chyme entering the duodenum

Ileocaecal Valve

from ileum to caecum

when pressure is on the cecal cide, the valve closes

opens in response to pressure on ileal side

also gastrin opens it

Anal Sphincter

Internal

External is under voluntary control

Serosa - a continuation of the peritoneal membrane

lines the abdominal cavity

made of CT and simple squamous epithelium

Mesentery - holds the small intestine in place, carries blood vessels and nerves
GI control systems and motility

locally controlled by the Enteric Nervous System

all the way from the esophagus to the anus

2 nerve networks, myenteric and submucosal

sensory neurons:

chemo and mechanoreceptors

motor neurons

muscle contraction and relaxation

gland secretion

Interneurons

connect the sensory and motor neurons

Submucosal Plexus

in the submucosal layer

controls mucosal functions

gland secretions

local blood flow

Myenteric Plexus

in muscularis externa

between the circular and longitudinal layers

controls GI movement

Excitatory functions

increased muscle tone - increased intensity of contraction, increased rate of contraction,

increased velocity of waves

Inhibitory functions

decreased sphincter muscle tone

Intrinsic control of GI function

slow waves at rest are triggered by ICC Pacemaker cells

waves spread to SM cells

changes to MP spread via gap junctions

note: no contraction unless MP threshold is reached

A single unit SM cells is electronically connected to others by cap junctions. the Postganglionic
autonomic neuron divides into branches in SM fibres.

Depolarization occurs by:

stretch

parasympathetics (ACh)

Spike potentials occur when threshold is met

there is a large influx of Ca

the frequency of potentials determines the strength of contraction

Calmodulin and MLCK initiate muscle contraction

Hyperpolarization from norepinephrine - no muscle contraction

Although the GI can work independently, coordination relies on extrinsic factors

ANS - para and sympa

Hormonal Regulation

Cognitive and Emotional

Parasympathetic NS increases the function of the GI

the proximal gut is innervated by the Vagus Nerve

the rest, (lower large intestine and defecation stuff) by pelvic nerves

there is little innervation of the small intestine

Sympathetic NS

decreases the function

Post-ganglionic fibres from T5 to L2

have inhibitory effects