Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

23. The Digestive System

Introduction to the Digestive System

Anatomy & Physiology

23. The Digestive System

Introduction to the Digestive System

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Multiple Choice

Which layer of the digestive tract contains the effectors responsible for digestive propulsion?

Submucosa

Serosa

Muscularis externa

Mucosa

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of the digestive tract, which consists of four main layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa.

Learn the function of each layer: the mucosa is responsible for secretion and absorption, the submucosa provides support and contains blood vessels and nerves, the muscularis externa is responsible for propulsion and mixing of food, and the serosa is the outermost protective layer.

Focus on the muscularis externa, which contains smooth muscle layers organized into circular and longitudinal layers. These muscle layers are the effectors responsible for peristalsis and segmentation, the processes that propel and mix food through the digestive tract.

Understand the mechanism of peristalsis: the circular muscle layer contracts behind the food bolus while the longitudinal muscle layer contracts ahead of it, creating a wave-like motion that moves food forward.

Recognize that the muscularis externa is controlled by the enteric nervous system, specifically the myenteric plexus, which coordinates the contraction of these muscle layers to ensure effective propulsion.