Layers of Alimentary Tract

Serosa
Mucosae

Submucosa

Muscularis

-epithelial lining
-Lamina propia loose connective
tissue rich in blood vessels,
lymphatics, lymphocytes and smooth
muscle cells, sometimes glands
-Muscularis mucosae thin layer of
smooth muscle separating mucosa
from submucosa
-denser connective tissue with many
blood and lymph vessels
-Submucosal plexus (of Meissner)
GI secretion and local blood flow
-smooth muscles cells that are spirally
oriented
-2 sublayers:
Internal (Circular)
External (longitudinal)
-in between muscle sublayers are
blood and lymph vessels and
myenteric nerve plexus
-Myenteric nerve plexus (of Auerbach)
concerned mainly with controlling

Esophagus

muscle activity; when stimulated,

principal effects are:
(1) increased tonic contraction, or
"tone,";
(2) increased intensity of the
rhythmical contractions;
(3) slightly increased rate of the
rhythm of contraction; and
(4) increased velocity of conduction of
excitatory waves along the gut wall,
causing more rapid movement of the
gut peristaltic waves
-thin layer of loose connective tissue
rich in blood vessels, lymphatics and
adipose tissue, with a simple
squamous covering epithelium
(mesothelium)
-in places where organ is not
suspended in a cavity but bound to
other structures (ex. Esophagus) the
serosa is replaced by adventitia
(lacks mesothelium)