Practice Question
Why are the hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes from the stomach unable to digest the stomach itself?
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Correct Answer:
Stomach wall is protected by large amounts of mucus.
Rationale:
🛡️The stomach is protected by the mucus-bicarbonate barrier, a thick, alkaline mucus layer secreted by surface mucous cells.
🛡️This layer neutralizes hydrochloric acid (HCl) at the epithelial surface, maintaining a near-neutral pH next to the mucosa.
🛡️Tight junctions between epithelial cells and rapid mucosal cell turnover further preserve the gastric mucosal integrity.
🛡️Prostaglandins stimulate mucus and bicarbonate secretion and promote mucosal blood flow, enhancing defense.
🛡️Chief cells release pepsinogen (inactive), which limits self-digestion until it’s activated to pepsin in the lumen, away from the epithelium.
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This question is from HESI Admission Assessment (A²) Exam Anatomy & Physiology which contains 30 questions.
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From Exam
HESI Admission Assessment (A²) Exam Anatomy & Physiology
30 Questions
View Full Exam Start PracticingQuestion Details
- Category: HESI A2
- Subcategory: Anatomy & Physiology Exam(s)
- Domain: Anatomy & Physiology~2025
- Answer Choices: 4