Small Intestine-Pancreas

Three segments of the small intestine

duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

What are the absorptive structures of the small intestine?

Kerckring folds, villi, microvilli, and glycocalyx

Kerckring folds function

Increase surface area to slow down rate of passage (Kp) for absorption

Where are the Kerckrings fold more present in small intestine?

jejumum

Main function in duodeum?

start enzymatic digestion of NCHO,, protein and lipids

Main function in jejumum?

absorb nutrients and water from digested food into the bloodstream

Main function of ileum?

absorb B12, bile salts, and what’s left

What is the pH of jejumum? Why?

7-7.5 to neutralize the highly acidic food mixture coming from the stomach

As we move distal from jejumum, what happens?

Enzyme production decrease due to fewer nutrients available to digest, surface area and rate of passage decrease

Why its important to increase surface area and decrease rate of passage?

maximize chyme contact area for better digestion

Exocrine function of pancreas

secretes NaHCO3 to neutralize acidic chyme and release active digestive enzymes to doudeum

Primary function of gallbaldder?

stores and concentrates bile thats produced by liver, releasing it into duodenum to breakdown fats

Primary digestive role of the liver?

synthesize bile salts for lipid digestion and process nutrients via hepatic portal circulation

What is hepatic portal circulation? Why is the liver involved?

blood vessels that moves nutrient-rich blood straight from your digestive organs to your liver before it flows back to heart. Liver filters

Sphincter of Oddi

muscle valve that controls release of bile and pancreas secretions into duodenum

What is Glycocalyx?

glycoprotein rich area that binds digestive enzymes, traps water, and provides mucosal protection.

What is Islets of Langerhans?

Endocrine cells within pancreas that produce and secrete hormones, insulin and glucagon into bloodstream