Chapter 56:

Introduction to the
Gastrointestinal System

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GI System #1

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GI System #2

 The GI system is the only system in the body open to the

external environment
 Composed of one continuous tube
o Begins at the mouth
o Progresses through the esophagus, stomach, and
small and large intestines
o Ends at the anus
 Accessory Organs
o Pancreas
o Liver
o Gallbladder

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Major Activities of the GI System
 Secretion: Of enzymes, acid, bicarbonate, and mucus
 Absorption: Of water and almost all of the essential
nutrients needed by the body
 Digestion: Of food into usable and absorbable component
 Motility: Movement of food and secretions through the
system

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Layers of the GI Tube
 Mucosa
 Muscularis Mucosa
 Nerve Plexus
 Adventitia

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Layers of Nerves in the Nerve Plexus
 Submucosal Layer
 Myenteric Layer

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Layers of the Gastrointestinal Tract

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Control of the GI System
 GI system is controlled by the nerve plexus
o Maintains basic electrical rhythm
o Responds to local stimuli to increase or decrease
activity
 Activity of GI tract can be influenced by the autonomic
system
 Initiation of activity depends on local reflexes

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Types of Secretions of the GI Tract
 Saliva
 Mucus
 Acid and Digestive Enzymes (Gastrin)
 Secretin
 Sodium Bicarbonate
 Pancreatic Enzymes, Other Lipases, and Amylases
 Bile
 Endocrine Hormones

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Question #1
Please answer the following statement as true or false.

The GI system is controlled by the nerve plexus which

maintains basic electrical rhythm.

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Answer to Question #1

True

Rationale: GI system is controlled by the nerve plexus,

which maintains basic electrical rhythm and responds to
local stimuli to increase or decrease activity.

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Digestion
 Is the process of breaking food into usable, absorbable
nutrients
 Begins in the mouth with enzymes in the salvia
 The stomach continues the digestion process
 In the small intestines, the food mixes with bile which
breaks down the fat molecules

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Absorption
 Is the active process of removing water, nutrients, and
other elements from the GI tract
 Once removed from the GI tract, they are delivered to
the bloodstream for use in the body

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Motility
 GI tract depends on an inherent motility to keep things
moving through the system.
 In the esophagus, the basic movement is peristalsis.
 The stomach uses its three muscle layers to produce a
churning action.
 Small intestines use a process of segmentation.
 Large intestines use a process of mass movement.

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Local Gastrointestinal Reflexes
 Gastroenteric Reflex: Stimulation of the stomach by
stretching
 Gastrocolic Reflex: Stimulation of the stomach causing
increased activity in the colon
 Duodenal–Colic Reflex: Stimulation of colon activity and
mass movement by the presence of food or stretch in the
duodenum

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Other Local GI Reflexes
 Ileogastric Reflex
 Intestinal–Intestinal Reflex
 Peritoneointestinal Reflex
 Renointestinal Reflex
 Vesicointestinal Reflex
 Somatointestinal Reflex

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Centrally Mediated Reflexes of the GI
Tract
 Swallowing Reflex
o Stimulated when a food bolus stimulates pressure
receptors in the back of the throat and pharynx
 Vomiting Reflex
o Protects the system from unwanted irritants
o Stimulated by two centers in the medulla

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Swallowing Reflex
 Stimulated whenever a food bolus stimulates pressure
receptors in the back of the throat and pharynx.
 This send impulses to the medulla, which stimulates a
series of nerves.
 Involves more than 25 pairs of muscles
 This reflex can be facilitated in a number of ways if
swallowing is a problem.

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Stimulation of the Chemoreceptor Trigger
Zone (CTZ)
 Tactile stimulation of the back of the throat
 Excessive stomach distention
 Increasing intracranial pressure by direct stimulation
 Stimulation of the vestibular receptors in the inner ear

 Stimulation of stretch receptors in the uterus and bladder

 Intense pain fiber stimulation
 Direct stimulation by various chemicals

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Maintaining Homeostasis of the GI Tract
 A series of local reflexes within the GI tract helps
maintain homeostasis within the system
 Overstimulation can result in:
o Constipation (underactivity)
o Diarrhea (overactivity)

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Question #2
Please answer the following statement as true or false.

When the renal capsule becomes irritated the

gastrointestinal tract shuts down.

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Answer to Question #2

True

Rationale: Renointestinal Reflex: Irritation or swelling of

the renal capsule causes a cessation of movement in the
GI tract, again to prevent further irritation to the capsule.

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