Digestive System

1
Mariebs Human Anatomy and Physiology Ninth
Edition Marieb w Hoehn

• Chapter 23
• Digestive System
• Lecture 11
• Part 2 Small Intestine

2
Three Parts of Small Intestine
Mixing bowl acid neutralization
Bulk of chemical digestion and nutrient
absorption occurs here
The bowel consists of the small and large
intestines.
Vitamin B12 absorption
Main functions of small intestine 1) chemical
digestion 2) absorption of nutrients (90) from
chyme
3
Blood Supply and Drainage of Small Intestine
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
4
Wall of Small Intestine
Plicae circulares permanent circular folds of
mucosa that further increase surface area for
absorption do not flatten out with distention
like rugae of stomach. Especially prominent in
lower duodenum and upper jejunum
Submucosa of duodenum contains mucus-secreting
glands (Brunners glands) that protect the small
intestine
5
Intestinal Villi Glands
Enterocyte Intestinal Cell
Figure from Saladin, Anatomy Physiology,
McGraw Hill, 2007
Intestinal glands secrete an abundant watery
fluid that helps absorb products of digestion.
They also contain enteroendocrine cells
(enterokinase, gastrin, secretin, CCK)
6
Intestinal Epithelium
Microvilli further increase the surface area
available for absorption in the small
intestine Form a brush border on the
intestine Digestive enzymes are embedded in the
membrane of microvilli
Main function of plicae, villi, and microvilli is
to increase the surface area for absorption
(from about 3.6 ft2 to about 2200 ft2!)
7
Secretions of Small Intestine

• peptidase breaks down peptides into amino
  acids
• sucrase, maltase, lactase break down
  disaccharides into monosaccharides
• intestinal lipase breaks down fats into fatty
  acids and glycerol
• enterokinase converts trypsinogen to trypsin
• gastrin/somatostatin hormones that
  stimulate/inhibit acid secretion by stomach
• cholecystokinin (CCK) hormone that inhibits
  gastric glands, stimulates pancreas to release
  enzymes in pancreatic juice, stimulates
  gallbladder to release bile, and relaxes
  hepatopancreatic sphincter (of Oddi)
• secretin stimulates pancreas to release
  bicarbonate ions in pancreatic juice stimulates
  gall bladder to release bicarbonate-rich bile

Brush border
See Table 23.32 in Marieb for summary of
digestive enzymes great to use for XC!!
8
Control of Intestinal Secretion and Absorption

• mucus secretion (protective) stimulated by
  presence of chyme in small intestine
• distension of intestinal wall activates nerve
  plexuses in wall of small intestine
• motility/secretion stimulated by gastroenteric
  reflex
• parasympathetics trigger release of intestinal
  enzymes

Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
9
Movements of the Small Intestine
Movements in local segments can occur without
stimulation by parasympathetic NS. However,
nervous stimulation accelerates segmentation and
peristalsis.

• peristalsis pushing movements
• segmentation ringlike contractions that aid in
  mixing and slowing peristalsis
• overdistended or irritated wall triggers
  peristaltic rush resulting in diarrhea

Long distance movements are triggered by
stomach filling - gastroenteric reflex (?
motility and secretion along length of small
intestine) - gastroileal reflex (relaxation of
ileocecal sphincter)
10
Absorption in the Small Intestine

• monosaccharides and amino acids
• through facilitated diffusion and active
  transport
• absorbed into blood

• electrolytes and water
• through diffusion, osmosis, and active transport
• absorbed into blood

• vitamins
• fat-soluble dissolve in dietary fats (vit
  A,D,E,K)
• Water-soluble through diffusion, except B12
  (active transport)
• Vitamin K (large intestine) with other lipids
• absorbed into blood

11
Absorption of Fats in the Small Intestine

• fatty acids and glycerol
• several steps
• absorbed into lymph into blood

Chylomicrons contain TG, cholesterol, and
phospholipids