BIOL 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology II: Module 6
Digestive System and Metabolism Comprehensive Exam
SECTION I: ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
1. Starting from the lumen and moving outward, what are the four primary tissue
layers of the alimentary canal?
Answer: Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa (or adventitia).
2. What specific type of epithelium lines the esophagus to protect it from abrasive
food particles?
Answer: Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
3. What type of epithelium lines the stomach and intestines to facilitate secretion
and absorption?
Answer: Simple columnar epithelium.
4. Which layer of the alimentary canal contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels,
and the submucosal (Meissner) nerve plexus?
Answer: Submucosa.
5. What is the name of the longitudinal folds of the mucosa and submucosa in the
stomach that allow it to expand when filled?
Answer: Rugae.
, 6. Name the four main regions of the stomach.
Answer: Cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus.
7. How does the muscularis externa of the stomach differ from the rest of the
alimentary canal?
Answer: It contains a third, inner layer of smooth muscle oriented obliquely to
help with physical churning.
8. What are the three anatomical subdivisions of the small intestine in sequential
order from the stomach?
Answer: Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
9. Name the three structural modifications of the small intestine that increase
surface area for nutrient absorption.
Answer: Plicae circulares (circular folds), villi, and microvilli.
10. What are the microscopic projections on the apical surface of enterocytes that
form the brush border called?
Answer: Microvilli.
11. What are the pocket-like sacs of the large intestine caused by the muscle tone
of the taeniae coli?
Answer: Haustra.
12. What are the three thickened bands of longitudinal smooth muscle running
the length of the large intestine called?
Answer: Taeniae coli.
13. Which nerve plexus is located between the circular and longitudinal smooth
muscle layers of the muscularis externa and regulates GI motility?
Digestive System and Metabolism Comprehensive Exam
SECTION I: ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
1. Starting from the lumen and moving outward, what are the four primary tissue
layers of the alimentary canal?
Answer: Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa (or adventitia).
2. What specific type of epithelium lines the esophagus to protect it from abrasive
food particles?
Answer: Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
3. What type of epithelium lines the stomach and intestines to facilitate secretion
and absorption?
Answer: Simple columnar epithelium.
4. Which layer of the alimentary canal contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels,
and the submucosal (Meissner) nerve plexus?
Answer: Submucosa.
5. What is the name of the longitudinal folds of the mucosa and submucosa in the
stomach that allow it to expand when filled?
Answer: Rugae.
, 6. Name the four main regions of the stomach.
Answer: Cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus.
7. How does the muscularis externa of the stomach differ from the rest of the
alimentary canal?
Answer: It contains a third, inner layer of smooth muscle oriented obliquely to
help with physical churning.
8. What are the three anatomical subdivisions of the small intestine in sequential
order from the stomach?
Answer: Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
9. Name the three structural modifications of the small intestine that increase
surface area for nutrient absorption.
Answer: Plicae circulares (circular folds), villi, and microvilli.
10. What are the microscopic projections on the apical surface of enterocytes that
form the brush border called?
Answer: Microvilli.
11. What are the pocket-like sacs of the large intestine caused by the muscle tone
of the taeniae coli?
Answer: Haustra.
12. What are the three thickened bands of longitudinal smooth muscle running
the length of the large intestine called?
Answer: Taeniae coli.
13. Which nerve plexus is located between the circular and longitudinal smooth
muscle layers of the muscularis externa and regulates GI motility?
