Gastrointestinal physiology

GIT- A long muscular tube with accessory organs (tongue, teeth, salivary glands,liver, pancreas, GB) Basic wall structure of the GIT

Functions of the Gastrointestinal tract

Has digestive and absorptive functions They depend on gastrointestinal motility and secretions Each part of the GIT has a specific function The structure of each part is adapted to its function

Importance of GI motility
helps to move food along the GIT (at a speed required for optimum digestion & absorption) softens/grinds food mixes food with GIT secretions helps to absorb water, electrolytes & products of digestion eliminates undigested products from the GIT

keeps the intestines clean - House keeping action

Gastrointestinal tract motility depends on:

intrinsic properties of GI smooth muscle cells intrinsic neurons of the gut the CNS (via extrinsic/autonomic nerves) GI hormones & other chemical messengers

 intrinsic properties of GI smooth muscle cells (myogenic properties)

Resting membrane potential (RMP) of GI smooth muscle cells shows rhythmic fluctuations (except in the oesophagus and proximal stomach)-BER
-45mv -65mv The basic electrical rhythm (BER) of GI smooth muscle

The basic electrical rhythm (BER)It is generated in special pacemaker cells in the gut wall (interstitial cells of Cajal)
Pacemaker cell Smooth muscle cells

*BER-rate vary from region to region

e.g. In the stomach 3/min, duodenum-12/min

*BER alone does not produce muscle contractions

Spike potentials on top of the depolarizing phase of the BER produce muscle contractions Spike potentials
Threshold level

electrical recording

Mechanical recording

Neural and chemical factors- increase or decrease the number of spikes produced.

Ach
Increases the number of spikes Increases the mechanical activity of GI smooth muscle cells (stimulate muscle contraction) NorepinephrineReduces the number of spikes

Reduces the mechanical activity of GI smooth muscle cells

Neural control of GI motility

CNS Extrinsic nerves (Autonomic nerves)

Intrinsic nerves of the gut

afferents Mechanoreceptors Chemoreceptors efferents Smooth muscle cells /Secretory cells

Intrinsic nerves of the gut (Enteric nervous system, gut brain) Two major net woks of intrinsic nerves Myenteric plexus mainly involved in GI motility Submucous plexus influences GI secretions

Intrinsic nerves,

*can function autonomously without the extrinsic

innervation *consist of sensory neurons, interneurons & motor neurons * use many different neurotransmitters - Ach, norepinephrine, NO, VIP, serotonin etc. Extrinsic (autonomic) nerves of the GIT

The GIT receives a dual extrinsic innervation * Parasympathetic innervation * Sympathetic innervation

Parasympathetic Vagus nerve

Sympathetic

SM
IM

Cholinergic innervation of the striated muscle

Parasymp. innervation *Stimulates GI motility *Relaxes sphincters

Symp. innervation *Inhibits GI motility *Contracts sphincters

Chemical control of GI motility

occurs via endogenous substances synthesized in neurons and in endocrine or paracrine cells They are released in response to chemicals found in food physical distension of parts of the GIT neural activity Some are excitatory and some have inhibitory effects on GI motility.

Important chemical agents affecting GI motility ???