FUNCTION COLON

1. •Describe the mechanisms involved in colonic motility, haustrations

and mass movements, and describe the defaecation reflex.

Activation of mass movement

Gastro-colic reflex----causes the mass movement

Duodenum colic reflex

Defaecation reflex

INTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER EXTERNAL ANAL SPHINTER

SMOOTH MUSCLE VOLUNTARY SKELETAL

SYMPATHETIC- SYMPATHETIC

1.SYMAPTHETIC SOMATIC PUDENDAL NERVE

HYPOGASTRIC NERVE (L1-L3) (S2-S3)

2.NA contracts internal anal

splinter

PARASYMPATHETIC PARASYMPATHETIC

1.parasympathetic pelvic nerve-

main activation NO

2.sacral parasympathetic(S2-S4)-
amplifies the reflex
 2. •Describe the fluid volumes secreted and absorbed.

•Daily fluid ingested in food/drink: 2.5 litres.

•Secreted in saliva, gastric juice, bile, pancreatic and intestinal juice. 7.5
litres.

•Total 10 litres.

•Small intestine 9 litres re-absorbed.

•Large intestine 0.9 litres re-absorbed

• 100 ml in faeces (total volume 150 ml with solids)

 3. •Explain the mechanism of electrolyte and water reabsorption in
the large intestine.

Na+/Glu cotransport Colonic cell Bicarbonate

reabsorption
(oral rehydration) (chloride ion enter into blood)
4. •Describe secretions of the colon and explain the mechanism of
chloride secretion and the effects of cholera toxin.

Secreation
1.mucus with some bicarbonate

Serves to lubricate and

neutralise the acid contents
(acid due to bacterial action).

2.chloride- ion

in response to irritation to
wash out gut contents (e.g.
harmful bacteria).
 5. MOTILITY DISORDERS

Non-Obstructive Disorders
1•Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Uncertain cause. Either diarrhoea or constipation
or both alternating.
2•Crohn’s disease: inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) (typically ileo-colic or colon);
diarrhoea.

Obstructive Disorders
1•Megacolon (Hirschsprung’s disease). Usually due to deficiency of myenteric plexus
ganglion cells in a segment of sigmoid colon. This area then has only weak motility.
Hence, faeces accumulates proximal to this, causing distention.

2•Ileus (Paralytic ileus) intestinal obstruction due to partial or total paralysis of gut
motility. Can be caused by abdominal surgery, low K+, opioids etc. Symptoms:
Constipation, abdominal distension etc.
DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea: rapid movement of soft faecal matter (decreased absorption and/or

increased secretions). Due to enteritis, cholera toxin, psychological stress,
malabsorption etc.

1•Enteritis (infection):
irritates mucosa leading to increased motility, large increase in fluid secretion. Can
be protective to wash out harmful bacteria.

2•Cholera toxin increases cAMP in crypt cells to activate the CFTR. Hence, Cholera
toxin stimulates massive secretion- very debilitating (treatment: oral rehydration
therapy)

3•Psychological stimuli (nervousness causing parasympathetic activation) can result

in bowel movements of mainly mucus.