Throughout its length, the alimentary tract is composed of the same four tissue layers; the details of their structural arrangements vary to fit their specific functions. Starting from the lumen and moving outwards, the first three layers are the mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis. The final layer is either the serosa or the adventitia, depending on the portion of the GI tract you are looking at. The mucosa is referred to as a mucous membrane, because mucus production is a characteristic feature of gut epithelium. The membrane consists of the epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa (not to be confused with the muscularis externa, described later). Epithelium—This layer is in direct contact with ingested food. In the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and anal canal, the epithelium is primarily a non-keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. In the stomach and intestines, it is a simple columnar epithelium. Interspersed among the epithelial cells are mucus-secreting goblet cells. Epithelial cells have a very brief lifespan, averaging from only a couple of days (in the mouth) to about a week (in the gut). This process of rapid renewal helps preserve the health of the GI tract, despite the wear and tear resulting from the digestive process. Lamina propria—This loose connective tissue layer contains numerous blood and lymphatic vessels to transport nutrients absorbed through the GI tract to other parts of the body, and also serves an immune function to defend against possible food-borne bacteria and other pathogens. Muscularis mucosae—This thin layer of smooth muscle (also called the muscularis interna) is in a constant state of tension, pulling the mucosa of the stomach and small intestine into undulating folds. These folds dramatically increase the surface area available for digestion and absorption. As its name implies, the submucosa lies immediately beneath the mucosa. A broad layer of dense connective tissue, it connects the overlying mucosa to the underlying muscularis. It includes blood and lymphatic vessels (which transport absorbed nutrients), nervous system structures, and a scattering of submucosal glands that release digestive secretions. The third layer of the GI tract is the muscularis externa (also called muscularis propria). In some regions - including the oral cavity, pharynx, and external anal sphincter - this layer is skeletal muscle, which gives you some control over swallowing and defecation. But in most of the GI tract, the muscularis externa is a double layer of smooth muscle: an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. In the intestines, the contractions of these layers promotes mechanical digestion, exposes more of the food to digestive chemicals, and moves the food along the tract. In the stomach, an additional third layer, called the oblique layer, helps with churning of food. The most superficial layer of the GI tract is either the serosa or the adventitia.  Regions of the GI tract within the abdominal cavity have a serosa, which is a layer of visceral peritoneum that provides a slippery smooth surface to reduce friction as the intestines and stomach churn, mix, and move the ingested food. Regions outside of the abdominal cavity - the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, rectum, and anus - have a dense sheath of collagen fibers called the adventitia. These tissues serve to hold the GI tract firmly in place during mastication, swallowing, and defecation. To visualize the GI tract wall, watch the following video, then based on everything you've learned and read above, answer the questions below.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++FILL IN THE BLANK++++++   This layer is sandwiched in-between layers of muscle.__________________                                                                                                                                  This layer may be composed of non-keratinzied stratified squamous or simple columnar. ______________________________                                                                                                                                This layer would be found in the stomach, but not in the rectum. _________________________________                                                                                                                                This layer layer of connective tissue plays a role in immune function and defending against pathogens. ___________________________                            The hollow inside of the GI tract is called the. _________ This layer has a circular layer and longitudinal layer. ___________   This layer contains glands, nervous structures, blood vessels, and lymphatics.____________   This layer would be found in the esophagus, but not in the small intestine._______    The layer of the GI tract that touches the lumen is the. __________                                                                         The stomach has three layers in this area, while other parts of the GI tract have only two.__________

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Chapter6: Gut Instincts
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Throughout its length, the alimentary tract is composed of the same four tissue layers; the details of their structural arrangements vary to fit their specific functions. Starting from the lumen and moving outwards, the first three layers are the mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis. The final layer is either the serosa or the adventitia, depending on the portion of the GI tract you are looking at.

The mucosa is referred to as a mucous membrane, because mucus production is a characteristic feature of gut epithelium. The membrane consists of the epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa (not to be confused with the muscularis externa, described later).

  • Epithelium—This layer is in direct contact with ingested food. In the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and anal canal, the epithelium is primarily a non-keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. In the stomach and intestines, it is a simple columnar epithelium. Interspersed among the epithelial cells are mucus-secreting goblet cells. Epithelial cells have a very brief lifespan, averaging from only a couple of days (in the mouth) to about a week (in the gut). This process of rapid renewal helps preserve the health of the GI tract, despite the wear and tear resulting from the digestive process.
  • Lamina propria—This loose connective tissue layer contains numerous blood and lymphatic vessels to transport nutrients absorbed through the GI tract to other parts of the body, and also serves an immune function to defend against possible food-borne bacteria and other pathogens.
  • Muscularis mucosae—This thin layer of smooth muscle (also called the muscularis interna) is in a constant state of tension, pulling the mucosa of the stomach and small intestine into undulating folds. These folds dramatically increase the surface area available for digestion and absorption.

As its name implies, the submucosa lies immediately beneath the mucosa. A broad layer of dense connective tissue, it connects the overlying mucosa to the underlying muscularis. It includes blood and lymphatic vessels (which transport absorbed nutrients), nervous system structures, and a scattering of submucosal glands that release digestive secretions.

The third layer of the GI tract is the muscularis externa (also called muscularis propria). In some regions - including the oral cavity, pharynx, and external anal sphincter - this layer is skeletal muscle, which gives you some control over swallowing and defecation. But in most of the GI tract, the muscularis externa is a double layer of smooth muscle: an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. In the intestines, the contractions of these layers promotes mechanical digestion, exposes more of the food to digestive chemicals, and moves the food along the tract. In the stomach, an additional third layer, called the oblique layer, helps with churning of food.

The most superficial layer of the GI tract is either the serosa or the adventitia.  Regions of the GI tract within the abdominal cavity have a serosa, which is a layer of visceral peritoneum that provides a slippery smooth surface to reduce friction as the intestines and stomach churn, mix, and move the ingested food. Regions outside of the abdominal cavity - the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, rectum, and anus - have a dense sheath of collagen fibers called the adventitia. These tissues serve to hold the GI tract firmly in place during mastication, swallowing, and defecation.

To visualize the GI tract wall, watch the following video, then based on everything you've learned and read above, answer the questions below.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++FILL IN THE BLANK++++++

 
This layer is sandwiched in-between layers of muscle.__________________
 
                                                                                                                            
 
This layer may be composed of non-keratinzied stratified squamous or simple columnar.
______________________________
                                                                                                                            
 
This layer would be found in the stomach, but not in the rectum.
_________________________________
                                                                                                                            
 
This layer layer of connective tissue plays a role in immune function and defending against pathogens.
___________________________
                          
The hollow inside of the GI tract is called the.
_________
This layer has a circular layer and longitudinal layer.
___________
 
This layer contains glands, nervous structures, blood vessels, and lymphatics.____________
 
This layer would be found in the esophagus, but not in the small intestine._______ 
 
The layer of the GI tract that touches the lumen is the.
__________                                                                      
 
The stomach has three layers in this area, while other parts of the GI tract have only two.__________
 
                                                                                                                            
 
 


 
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