Exercise 38

Anatomy of the Digestive System

Pre-Lab Quiz

1. Circle the correct underlined term. Digestion / Absorption occurs when small
molecules pass through epithelial cells into the blood for distribution to the body
cells.

2. The _____ abuts the lumen of the alimentary canal and consists of epithelium,
lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae.
a. mucosa b. serosa c. submucosa

3. Wavelike contractions of the digestive tract that propel food along are called:
a. digestion c. ingestion
b. elimination d. peristalsis

4. Circle the correct underlined term. The ascending colon / descending colon
traverses down the left side of the abdominal cavity and becomes the sigmoid
colon.

5. A tooth consists of two major regions, the crown and the:

a. dentin c. gingiva
b. enamel d. root
REVIEW SHEET

General Histological Plan of the Alimentary Canal

1. The general anatomical features of the alimentary canal are listed below. Fill in
the table to complete the information.
Wall layer Subdivisions of the layer (if Major functions
applicable)
Mucosa 1) epithelium 1.) absorption
2) lamina propria 2.) secretion
3) muscularis mucosa
Submucosa (Not applicable) 1.) Vascular supply for
mucosa
2.) Protection
Muscularis externa 1.) Circular layer 1.) Churning
2.) Longitudinal layer 2.) Mixing
3.) Propulsion of food
along the tract
Serosa or adventitia (Not applicable) 1.) Protection and
anchoring for adventitia
2.) Reduction of
friction for abdominal
organs by serosa

Organs of the Alimentary Canal

2. The tubelike digestive system canal that extends from the mouth to the anus is
known as the alimentary canal or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

3. How is the muscularis externa of the stomach modified?

It has a third (obliquely oriented) muscle layer.

How does this modification relate to the function of the stomach?

Vigorous churning activity occurs here.

4. What transition in epithelial type exists at the esophagus-stomach junction?

Changes from stratified squamous (esophagus) to simple columnar (stomach).
How do the epithelia of these two organs relate to their specific functions?
The esophagus is subjected to constant abrasion (stratified squamous is well
adapted for this). The stomach has secretory (and some absorptive) functions
and is better protected from acid.

5. Differentiate the colon from the large intestine.

The large intestine includes the colon, but also includes the cecum, vermiform
appendix, rectum, and anal canal.

6. Match the items in column B with the descriptive statements in column A.

Column A Column B
L 1. structure that suspends the small intestine a. anus
from the posterior body wall b. appendix
W 2. fingerlike extensions of the intestinal mucosa c. circular folds
that increase the surface area for absorption d. esophagus
O 3. large collections of lymphoid tissue found in the e. frenulum
submucosa of the small intestine f. greater omentum
C 4. deep folds of the mucosa and submucosa that g. hard palate
extend completely or partially around the circumference h. haustra
of the small intestine i. ileocecal valve
V 5. mobile organ that manipulates food in the mouth j. large intestine
and initiates swallowing k. lesser omentum
P 6. conduit for both air and food l. mesentery
D 7. food passageway that has no digestive/absorptive function m. microvilli
R 8. folds of the gastric mucosa n. oral vestibule
H 9. pocketlike sacs of the large intestine o. Peyer's patches
M 10. projections of the plasma membrane of a mucosal p. pharynx
epithelial cell q. pyloric
sphincter
I 11. valve at the junction of the small and large intestines r. rugae
S 12. primary region of nutrient absorption s. small intestine
E 13. membrane securing the tongue to the floor of the mouth t. soft palate
J 14. absorbs water and forms feces u. stomach
vestibule 15. area between the teeth and lips/cheeks v. tongue
B 16. wormlike sac that out pockets from the cecum w. villi
U 17. initiates protein digestion
K 18. structure attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach
F 19. covers most of the abdominal organs like an apron
pyloric valve 20. valve controlling food movement from the stomach into the
duodenum
T 21. posterosuperior boundary of the oral cavity
A 22. region containing two sphincters through which feces are expelled from
the body
G 23. bone-supported anterosuperior boundary of the oral cavity

7. Correctly identify all organs depicted in the diagram below.

Parotid gland
Sublingual gland

Pharynx
Submandibular gland

Esophagus

Liver

Stomach
Gallbladder
Hepatic Duct
Cystic Duct
Duodenum Pancreas
Transverse colon
Descending colon
Ascending colon
Jejunum
Taenia coli

Cecum Sigmoid colon

Appendix Rectum

Ileum Anal canal

8. You have studied the histologic structure of a number of organs in this
laboratory. The stomach and the duodenum and the diagrammed below. Label the
structures indicated by leader lines.

Villus

Lamina
Simple
propria
columnar
epithelium

Gastric pit

Intestinal
glands
Gastric glands
Duodenal
glands

Accessory Digestive Organs

9. Correctly label all structures provided with leader lines in the diagram of a molar
below. (Note: Some of the terms in the key for question 10 may be helpful in this
task.)
Enamel

Dentin
Crown
Pulp cavity

Gingival sulcus

Periodontal ligament

Root Cement

Root canal
10. Use the key to identify each tooth area described below.
B 1. visible portion of the tooth Key: a. cement
A 2. material covering the tooth root b. crown
D 3. hardest substance in the body c. dentin
G 4. attaches the tooth to the tooth socket d. enamel
I 5. portion of the tooth embedded in bone e. gingival sulcus
C 6. forms the major portion of tooth structure; f. odontoblast
similar to bone g. periodontal ligament
F 7. produces the dentin h. pulp
H 8. site of blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics I. root
E 9. narrow gap between the crown and the gum

11. In the human, the number of deciduous teeth is 20 the number of permanent
teeth is 32.

12. The dental formula for permanent teeth is

Explain what this means.
There are 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 3 molars in each jaw (upper
and lower) from the median line posteriorly.

2, 1 , 0 ,2
What is the dental formula for the deciduous teeth? 2, 1 , 0 ,2 x 2 (20 deciduous
teeth)

13. Which teeth are the "wisdom teeth”? The number 3 (most posterior) molars.

14. Various types of glands form a part of the alimentary canal wall or duct their
secretions into it. Match the glands listed in column B with the function/locations
described in column A.

Column A Column B
A 1. produce(s) mucus; found in the submucosa a. duodenal glands
of the small intestine b. gastric glands
F 2. produce(s) a product containing amylase that c. intestinal crypts
begins starch breakdown in the mouth d. liver
E 3. produce(s) many enzymes and an alkaline fluid e. pancreas
that is secreted into the duodenum f. salivary glands
D 4. produce(s) bile that it secretes into the duodenum
via the bile duct
B 5. produce(s) HCI and pepsinogen
C 6. found in the mucosa of the small intestine; produce(s) intestinal juice

15. Which of the salivary glands produces a secretion that is mainly serous?
Parotid

16. What is the role of the gallbladder?

Bile is the greenish-yellow fluid (consisting of waste products, cholesterol, and
bile salts) that is secreted by the liver cells to perform 2 primary functions: To
carry away waste. To break down fats during digestion.

17. Name three structures that form a portal triad of the liver. Branch of the bile
duct, branch of hepatic artery, and branch of hepatic portal vein.

18. Where would you expect to find the stellate macrophages of the liver?
Lining the sinusoids.

What is their function?

Phagocytosis of debris and worn-out blood cells.

19. Why is the liver so dark red in the living animal?

Because it is saturated in blood.

20. The pancreas has two major populations of secretory cells- those in the islets
and the acinar cells. Which population serves the digestive process?
Acinar cells.

21. Pyloric stenosis is a type of gastric outlet obstruction caused by a narrowing of

the pyloric part of the stomach. It is most common in infants. Describe the clinical
signs that you would expect to see with this condition.
Signs of pyloric stenosis usually appear within three to five weeks after birth.
Pyloric stenosis is rare in babies older than 3 months. Signs include, vomiting
after feeding, persistent hunger, stomach contractions, dehydration, changes
in bowel movements, and weight problems.

22. Surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. The presence

of gallstones that block any of the ducts that carry bile is the usual reason for the
surgery. Explain why the gallbladder is not an essential organ and predict possible
dietary changes that a patient might need to make post-cholecystectomy.
Without a gallbladder, there’s no place for bile to collect. Instead, your liver
releases bile straight into the small intestine. This allows you to still digest
most foods. However, large amounts of fatty, greasy, or high-fiber food
become harder to digest. This can result in gas, bloating, and diarrhea. A
patient without gallbladder is advised to avoid high-fat foods, fried and greasy
foods, and fatty sauces and gravies for at least a week after surgery. Instead,
choose fat-free or low-fat foods. Low-fat foods are those with no more than 3
grams of fat a serving.