Why muscles are arranged in circular and longitudinal layers?

In smooth muscle these transitionally alternating muscle fibers help to serve the actions of peristalsis. As the circular fibers contract the tube (lumen) constricts and as the longitudinal fibers contract it opens up the lumen.

What muscle tissue has longitudinally and circularly arranged layers?

smooth muscle

What are the functions of the circular and longitudinal muscles in the small intestine?
The circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward and the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.

The muscularis externa ("muscularis" for short) is the muscular wall of the GI tract, deep to (surrounding) the submucosa. The tongue and the muscularis of the upper esophagus consists of striated muscle. Along the rest of the tract, the muscularis consists of two distinct layers of smooth muscle.
The inner circular layer consists of smooth muscle fibers wrapped around the long axis of the tract. The outer longitudinal layer consists of smooth muscle fibers extending parallel to the long axis of the tract. More precisely, muscle fibers in both layers spiral around the tract, either at a very shallow angle (the circular fibers) or a much steeper angle (the longitudinal fibers). The muscularis of the stomach is thicker than that elsewhere, with the muscle fibers layered in more orientations (often described as assuming three layers, which are not readily distinguishable in routine sections). In the colon, the longitudinal muscle is gathered into three longitudinal bands, the taenia coli.

Between the two muscle layers lies Auerbach's plexus of parasympathetic nervous tissue. Coordinated contraction of these layers is responsible for rhythmic peristalsis.

Intestinal villus
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Intestinal villus

Micrograph of the small intestine mucosa showing intestinal villi - top half of image. H&E stain

Section of duodenum of cat. X 60. Latin Gray's villi intestinales subject #248 1174

Intestinal villi (singular: villus) are tiny, finger-like projections that are approximately 0.51mm in length and come out from the wall of the small intestine and have additional extensions called microvilli (singular: microvillus) which protrude from epithelial cells lining villi. They increase the absorptive area and the surface area of the intestinal wall. It is important that the food is absorbed at a considerably fast rate so as to allow more food to be absorbed. (If the process is too slow, the concentration of the nutrients in the blood vessels and the food will be equal, thus, diffusion will not occur.) Digested nutrients (including sugars and amino acids) pass into the villi through diffusion. Circulating blood then carries these nutrients away.[1] Intestinal villi should not be confused with the larger folds of mucous membrane in the bowel known as the plicae circulares. From the plicae circulares project microscopic finger-like pieces of tissue called villi (Latin for "shaggy hair"). The individual epithelial cells also have finger-like projections known as microvilli. The function of the plicae circulares, the villi and the microvilli is to increase the amount of surface area available for the absorption of nutrients. Each villus has a network of capillaries and fine lymphatic vessels called lacteals close to its surface. The epithelial cells of the villi transport nutrients from the lumen of the intestine into these capillaries (amino acids and carbohydrates) and lacteals (lipids). The absorbed

substances are transported via the blood vessels to different organs of the body where they are used to build complex substances such as the proteins required by our body. This is called diffusion. The food that remains undigested and unabsorbed passes into the large intestine.

Circular folds

Function
The circular folds slow the passage of the food along the intestines, and afford an increased surface for absorption. They are covered with small fingerlike projections called villi (singular, villus). Each villus, in turn, is covered with microvilli. The microvilli absorb fats and nutrients from the chyme.

. Structurally, the mucosa is covered in wrinkles or folds called plicae circulares, which are considered permanent features in the wall of the organ. They are distinct from rugae which are considered non-permanent or temporary allowing for distention and contraction. From the plicae circulares project microscopic finger-like pieces of tissue called villi (Latin for "shaggy hair"). The individual epithelial cells also have finger-like projections known as microvilli. The function of the plicae circulares, the villi and the microvilli is to increase the amount of surface area available for the absorption of nutrients. Each villus has a network of capillaries and fine lymphatic vessels called lacteals close to its surface. The epithelial cells of the villi transport nutrients from the lumen of the intestine into these capillaries (amino acids and carbohydrates) and lacteals (lipids). The absorbed substances are transported via the blood vessels to different organs of the body where they are used to build complex substances such as the proteins required by our body. This is called diffusion. The food that remains undigested and unabsorbed passes into the large intestine.

The submucosa is a layer of connective tissue that derives its name from its position beneath the mucosa. Just outside the submucosa is a band of circular muscle. The band surrounds the entirecolon and is the first half of the muscularis externa. When this circular muscle contracts, it helps move waste material along the colon. If you prefer a more familiar example, envision a fat, flexible hose with some water standing in it. If you were to wrap your hand around that hose and squeeze, the water would move along. Circular muscle performs the same sort of function in the colon. The second half of the muscularis externa is comprised of a band of longitudinal muscle. It's referred to as "longitudinal" because it runs lengthwise along the colon. When this muscle contracts, it works in conjunction with the circular muscle to create a wavelike motion (called peristalsis) that moves waste material through the colon. For a familiar example, think of someone playing an accordian. When the longitudinal muscle contracts, it makes the colon shorter.

The inner circular layer is larger than the outer longitudinal layer. An Auerbach s plexus lies between the two layers

Submucosa The submucosa consists of a dense irregular layer of connective tissue with large blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves branching into the mucosa and muscularis. It contains Meissner's plexus, an enteric nervous plexus, situated on the inner surface of the muscularis externa . Muscularis externa The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer. The circular muscle layer prevents the food from going backwards and the longitudinal layer shortens the tract. The coordinated contractions of these layers is called peristalsis and propels the bolus, or balled-up food, through the GI tract. Between the two muscle layers are the myenteric or Auerbach's plexus.

Unlike the outer walls of the small intestine, the inner walls are made up of two kinds of wrinkles and folds called plicae circulares and rugae. The plicae circulares are a fixed feature of the small intestinal walls, while the rugae allow extra tissue for the small intestine to distend and contract as needed. The plicae circulares have two kinds of microscopic textures called villi (a Latin word meaning "shaggy hair") and microvilli. The microvilli covers the villi like a velvet coating. These two kinds of fine, frond-like protrusions work together, to maximize the small intestine surface, for ultra efficient nutrient absorption. Each villus is the home of lacteal and capillaries, which are close to the surface, and absorb fats and nutrients.

Skin Skin is a soft outer covering of an animal, in particular a vertebrate. Other animal coverings such as the arthropod exoskeleton or the seashell have different developmental origin, structure and chemical composition. In mammals, the skin is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of ectodermal tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. All mammals have some hair on their skin, even marine mammals which appear to be hairless. Because it interfaces with the environment, skin plays a key role in protecting (the body) against pathogens[3] and excessive water loss.[4] Its other functions are insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, and the protection of vitamin B folates. Severely damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue.

Skin performs the following functions: 1. Protection: an anatomical barrier from pathogens and damage between the internal and external environment in bodily defense; Langerhans cells in the skin are part of the adaptive immune system.[3][4] 2. Sensation: contains a variety of nerve endings that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure, vibration, and tissue injury; see somatosensory system and haptic perception. 3. Heat regulation: increase perfusion and heatloss, while constricted vessels greatly reduce cutaneous blood flow and conserve heat. Erector pili muscles are significant in animals. 4. Control of evaporation: the skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to fluid loss.[4] 5. Storage and synthesis: acts as a storage center for lipids and water 6. Absorption: Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide can diffuse into the epidermis in small amounts, some animals uses their skin for their sole respiration organ (contrary to popular belief, however, humans do not absorb oxygen through the skin).[5] 7. Water resistance: The skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed out of the body.