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SMALL INTESTINE

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Vishnu Prakash
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10 views4 pages

SMALL INTESTINE

Uploaded by

Vishnu Prakash
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SMALL INTESTINE

• The small intestine is a convoluted tube that extends from the pylorus to the
ileocaecal valve
• It is about 6–7 m in length
• Parts: Duodenum, Jejunum and Ileum.
• Important function of small intestine is absorption

FUNCTIONS OF SMALL INTESTINE


1. Mechanical function: Mixing movements of small intestine help in the
thorough mixing of chyme with the digestive juices like succus entericus,
pancreatic juice and bile.
2. Secretory function: Small intestine secretes succus entericus, enterokinase
and the GI hormones.
3. Hormonal function: Small intestine secretes many GI hormones such as
secretin, cholecystokinin, etc. These hormones regulate the movement of GI
tract and secretory activities of small intestine and pancreas
4. Digestive function
5. Hemopoietic function
6. Activator function
7. Hormonal functions: The small intestine secretes secretin and
cholecystokinin, which exert their effect on the secretions and motility of
gastrointestinal tract
8. Absorptive function: accomplished by the huge surface area created by the
presence of plicae circulares, villi and microvilli

SUCCUS ENTERICUS
Secretion of small intestine is called succus entericus

PROPERTIES
Daily secretion: 1–2 liters
pH: 8
Reaction: Alkaline

COMPOSITION
INTESTINAL ENZYMES
Brush border of epithelial cells covering the villi contains a large number of
intracellular digestive enzymes:-
a) Peptidases (proteolytic enzymes) which digest peptides into amino acid, e.g.
aminopeptidases, dipeptidases, nuclease, related enzymes and so on
b) Disaccharidases such as sucrase, maltase and lactase which split the
respective disaccharidases into the monosaccharides
c) Intestinal lipases that split triglycerides present in small amount.
d) Enterokinase or enteropeptidase which activates trypsinogen to trypsin.

INTESTINAL GLANDS (CRYPTS OF LIBERKUHN)


• Intestinal glands are simple tubular glands of intestine, which opens into the
lumen of intestine between the villi.
• They are lined by columnar cells
• Types of cells interposed between columnar cells of intestinal glands:
a) Argentaffin cells (enterochromaffin cells) - secrete intrinsic factor of Castle
b) Goblet cells- secrete mucus
c) Paneth cells- secrete the cytokines called defensins.
• BRUNNER GLANDS- In addition to intestinal glands, the first part of duodenum
contains some mucus glands, which are called Brunner glands.
Brunner gland secretes mucus and traces of enzymes
FUNCTIONS OF INTESTINAL SECRETIONS
• Intestinal secretion helps in proper mixing of chyme. This provides suitable
environment for digestion and absorption of food materials in the intestine.
• Intestinal secretion contains enzymes for digestion of various nutrients.
• Mucus of intestinal secretion protects intestinal epithelium from damage. It
also traps and kills bacteria
• Mucus in the intestinal secretion contains immunoglobulins that play an
important role in local defenses
• The alkaline secretion of Brunner’s gland protects upper intestinal mucosa
from damage by acidic chime
• Intestinal secretion helps in forward propulsion of chyme in the intestine.
• Enterokinase present in intestinal juice activates trypsinogen into trypsin.
Trypsin, in turn activates other enzymes
• Hemopoietic function- Intrinsic factor of Castle present in the intestine plays
an important role in erythropoiesis

REGULATION OF SECRETION
a) VIP stimulates secretion
b) Vagal stimulation increases intestinal secretion
c) Many toxins stimulate intestinal secretion

APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
• Malabsorption Syndrome: The commonest abnormality due to inappropriate
intestinal secretion is malabsorption syndrome
• Crohn’s disease (Enteritis): Enteritis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
characterized by inflammation of small intestine

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