MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -distended with chyme, stretching of the intestinal wall elicits localized concentric contractions spaced at intervals along the intestine and lasting a fraction of a minute. The contractions cause “segmentation” of the small intestine, as shown in figure below.

Detailed explanation-2: -Once the chyme is well mixed, waves of muscle contractions propel it through a valve called the pylorus and into the upper section of your small intestine (duodenum). The pylorus might release about an eighth of an ounce (about 4 milliliters) of chyme at a time. The rest is held back for more mixing.

Detailed explanation-3: -This is because chyme from the stomach is typically hypertonic, and if large quantities were forced all at once into the small intestine, the resulting osmotic water loss from the blood into the intestinal lumen would result in potentially life-threatening low blood volume.

Detailed explanation-4: -The stomach acid is neutralised in the duodenum because of its alkaline environment. The entry of chyme triggers the release of digestive pancreatic enzymes and bile which enter the duodenum via the pancreatic and common bile ducts, respectively.