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The digestive system is composed of the gastrointestinal tract—commonly referred to as the GI tract or digestive tract—as well as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The gastrointestinal system is made up of a succession of hollow organs connected by a long, twisting tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. The mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus are the hollow organs that comprise the GI tract. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the digestive system’s solid organs (NIDDK, 2019).
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This histology slide shows the wall of the stomach under the microscope. You can clearly see the rugae, which are folds in the mucosa that allow the stomach to expand after eating. The surface has gastric pits that lead into gastric glands, where important digestive secretions like hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen are made. The muscularis mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis externa layers help move and mix food through contractions. Each layer works together to help the stomach break down food and begin digestion efficiently.
At first, it looks like a Ureter but, it's actually a stomach 😳
This picture effectively conveys the stomach wall's intricate structure and the vital roles played by each layer. It's incredible how well these components cooperate to aid in digestion, from the mucosa secreting digestive juices to the muscular layers combining food. Gaining insight into this intricate structure helps us better understand how our bodies effectively handle such an important function.
The wall of the stomach is made up of four main layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The mucosa contains gastric glands lined by simple columnar epithelium that secrete mucus, acid, and digestive enzymes to break down food, while the muscularis externa enables mechanical mixing through strong muscle contractions.
Seen under the microscope, the stomach looks surprisingly beautiful, with its folded lining and tiny glands working hard to break down the food we eat and keep us energized. <3
The stomach wall is structured in layers that each serve a specific function in digestion. The mucosa plays a key role in chemical digestion by releasing enzymes, acid, and mucus to break down food and protect the stomach lining. Meanwhile, the muscularis externa contributes to mechanical digestion by powerfully churning food into chyme for easier absorption later in the digestive tract.