MODULE 3 ANAT SC 1103

Digestive System Human Biology IB

Tutorial 5 (Week 7)
Digestive System
Pre-Tutorial Question
(To be completed prior to the tutorial session)

1. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the layered arrangement of the walls of the

digestive tract.
a. Identify, and label on Figure 1, the four layers of the GIT wall. Indicate the main
function of each wall layer. 

b. Label any other features in Figure 1 of functional significance. 

c. List the tissues located in each of the wall layers. 


Figure 1 Diagrammatic representation of GIT wall 


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Digestive System

2. Construct a table that indicates the major regional differences in the structure of the GIT
wall between the oesophagus, stomach, proximal small intestine, distal small intestine
and colon (large intestine). Relate the structural differences in each region to the
functional specialisations of the region.

Please refer to provided support material/images to extract answers for pre-

tutorial questions 1 and 2.

Student Name: ______________________________________ Student ID: _________________________ 2

MODULE 3 ANAT SC 1103
Digestive System Human Biology IB

Tutorial Exercises
(To be completed during the tutorial session)

1. Mark likes to drink four to six cups of caffeinated coffee during the day, as well as a few
alcoholic beverages at night. Unfortunately, he also constantly complains of heartburn.
a. What is heartburn, and why does it cause a “burning” sensation?

Heartburn, or acid indigestion, is not related to the heart, but is caused by a

backflow, or reflux, of stomach acids into the oesophagus - a condition called
gastroeosophageal reflux. Caffeine and alcohol stimulate the secretion of HCl
in the stomach. When the HCl is refluxed into the oesophagus, it causes the
burning sensation. Gastroeosophageal reflux is a common problem in infants,
although it commonly corrects itself by 2 years of age. Although most people
experience heartburn occasionally, persistent reflux can cause eosophagitis.

b. How is heartburn treated?

Heartburn can be treated with antacids (base substance that raises stomach
pH – helping to neutralise stomach acid), or a combination of antacids and
alginic acids (form a foam when it comes into contact with gastric acid that
rises into oesophagus if reflex occurs, rather than acid). Histamine type 2
receptor (H2)-
blocking drugs, which inhibit gastric acid production, are often recommended
when additional treatment is needed. Proton pump inhibitors act by inhibiting
the gastric!proton pump, which regulates the final pathway for
acid secretion.

2. For almost a year, Lucy has been suffering from excessive stress at work. Unfortunately,
she is now complaining of recurring abdominal pains, usually 2-3 hours after eating.
Additional eating seems to relieve the pain. She finally agrees to see her doctor, who
diagnoses her condition as a duodenal ulcer.
a. How does the duodenum compare structurally and functionally to the:
(i) Other segments of the small intestine?
(ii) Large intestine?

A sample answer for this question is not included. I suggest asking students to
use white boards to compare/contrast the appearance of each segment of GIT,
and relate this to function. They should have done this in table form as part of
their preparation.

b. Use your understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the GIT to explain the
diagnosis to Lucy.

Excessive stress can increase sympathetic nervous system activity, which may
inhibit duodenal gland secretion, increasing susceptibility to a duodenal ulcer.

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Digestive System
Decreased duodenal gland secretion reduces the duodenal wall’s coating of
mucus, which protects it against gastric enzymes and acid.

3. A 70-year old man presents to his doctor with abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant
for 2 days. The pain is constant and deep. He has also developed mild diarrhoea since
the pain started. He is sent home on a liquid diet and antibiotics and is soon better. Two
weeks later, a barium enema is performed (an abdominal X-ray is taken after barium is
introduced into the colon), and the results indicate the man is suffering from a condition
called diverticulosis (see Figure 2).

a. Define diverticulosis and explain why there are many ‘blebs’ (arrows) on the X-ray in
Figure 2. (Hint: What layers of the colon wall are affected?)

The blebs are called diverticulae and this condition is called diverticulosis. Each
colonic diverticulum is a herniation of the mucosa through the muscularis layer
of the colon. Diverticulae tend to occur at the weakest parts of the muscularis
layer where nutrient vessels penetrate the muscle. They are more numerous
with advancing age and are thought to result from the high pressures the
colon generates when moving hard faeces.
b. Explain this man’s earlier abdominal pain.

His abdominal pain was likely the result of diverticular inflammation

(diverticulitis). It is believed that bacteria and undigested food can clog a
diverticular sac, leading to infection. Symptoms range from mild to severe
depending on extent of infection.
c. What other complications can accompany this condition?

Erosion of a diverticular vessel can produce massive, painless, rectal bleeding.

Figure 2: Abdominal X-ray following barium enema

Student Name: ______________________________________ Student ID: _________________________ 4

MODULE 3 ANAT SC 1103
Digestive System Human Biology IB

4. Charlie has a blood test that shows a normal level of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDLs)
but an elevated level of High-Density Lipoproteins (HDLs) in his blood. Since his family
has a history of cardiovascular disease, he wonders whether he should modify his
lifestyle. What would you tell him?

Based just on the information given, Charlie would appear to be in good health, at least
relative to his diet and probably exercise. Problems are associated with elevated levels
of LDLs, which carry cholesterol to the peripheral tissues and make it available for the
formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels. High levels of HDLs indicate that a
considerable amount of cholesterol is being removed from the peripheral tissues and
carried to the liver for disposal. You should encourage Charlie not to change and keep up
the good work!

Student Name: ______________________________________ Student ID: _________________________ 5

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Digestive System

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