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Ch. 22 The Digestive System
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksAmerman 2nd EditionCh. 22 The Digestive SystemProblem 3a
Chapter 22, Problem 3a

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
The mucosa from the stomach to the anus consists of an inner layer of stratified columnar epithelium.

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1
Understand the structure of the mucosa: The mucosa is the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and consists of three sublayers: the epithelium, the lamina propria, and the muscularis mucosae. The type of epithelium varies depending on the region of the GI tract.
Recall the type of epithelium in the stomach: The stomach's mucosa is lined with simple columnar epithelium, which is specialized for secretion and protection against the acidic environment.
Recall the type of epithelium in the intestines: The small and large intestines are also lined with simple columnar epithelium, which facilitates absorption and secretion.
Recall the type of epithelium in the anus: The epithelium transitions to stratified squamous epithelium near the anus to provide protection against mechanical stress during defecation.
Evaluate the statement: The claim that the mucosa from the stomach to the anus consists of stratified columnar epithelium is false. Correct the statement by noting that the mucosa consists of simple columnar epithelium from the stomach to the rectum, transitioning to stratified squamous epithelium in the anal canal.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mucosal Layers

The mucosa is the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and intestines. It is primarily composed of epithelial tissue, which varies in type along the digestive tract. While the stomach has a simple columnar epithelium, the rectum and anus feature stratified squamous epithelium, not stratified columnar.
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Epithelial Tissue Types

Epithelial tissues are classified based on cell shape and layering. Stratified columnar epithelium consists of multiple layers of column-shaped cells, typically found in areas requiring protection and secretion. However, it is not the predominant type found throughout the gastrointestinal tract, which features a mix of simple and stratified epithelia depending on the specific region.
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Identifying Types of Epithelial Tissue Example 1

Gastrointestinal Tract Structure

The gastrointestinal tract is structured to facilitate digestion and absorption, with each section having specialized functions and corresponding epithelial types. The stomach has a simple columnar epithelium for secretion and protection, while the anal canal has stratified squamous epithelium to withstand abrasion, highlighting the diversity of epithelial types along the tract.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Mr. Williams presents to your clinic with a complaint of abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. He says that the pain worsens when he eats, particularly when he eats fatty meals. He has noticed that his stool has been an unusual clay color recently. You perform an ultrasound of his abdomen and find that gallstones are blocking his common bile duct, preventing bile from entering the duodenum.

You test Mr. Williams's stool and find high amounts of undigested fats. Explain this finding.

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The muscularis externa of most of the alimentary canal consists of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smooth muscle.

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Textbook Question

Match the following terms with the correct definition. 

__Chief cells          

__Parietal cells           

__Gastrin           

__Pyloric sphincter         

__Diffuse neuroendocrine (DNES) cells         

__Gastroesophageal sphincter         

__Pepsin         

__Chyme

a. Hormone that stimulates multiple digestive processes

b. Enzyme that begins protein digestion

c. Produce acid and intrinsic factor

d. Liquid produced as a result of stomach churning

e. Produce pepsinogen

f. Cells in gastric glands that produce hormones

g. Controls passage of bolus from esophagus to stomach

h. Controls passage of stomach contents to duodenum

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Textbook Question

Individuals experiencing prolonged vomiting lose a great deal of hydrochloric acid with the vomitus. Predict the effect this loss of acid will have on the pH of the blood. How will the respiratory system respond to the change in pH?

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Textbook Question

Mr. Williams presents to your clinic with a complaint of abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. He says that the pain worsens when he eats, particularly when he eats fatty meals. He has noticed that his stool has been an unusual clay color recently. You perform an ultrasound of his abdomen and find that gallstones are blocking his common bile duct, preventing bile from entering the duodenum.

Explain why his feces have become a clay color instead of a normal brown color.

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Textbook Question

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

The mucosa of the esophagus, pharynx, and oral cavity contains simple squamous epithelium to protect it from abrasion.

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