DIGESTIVE SYSTEM REVIEWER
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM REVIEWER
Peristalsis – is the involuntary muscular force the propels food through the digestive tract (like an ocean wave pushing
foods from one organ to the next)
Lower Esophageal Spincter – a ring-like muscle relaxing and lets the food pass to the stomach and contracts. Weakness
of the Spincter causes back flux of the stomach acid and heart burn.
Digestive Juices/Enzymes – breakdown the food, this helps make nutrients available for absorption later in the small
intestine.
Digestive Juices – powerful hydrochloric acids that kills pathogen in foods and gives the stomach a low Ph (2)
that the enzymes need. This acid is harmful to other organs of the body. Stomach contains thick mucous lining.
BUT too much acid, it can eat away the inner surface causing an ULCER.
Simple Carbs (FAST) > Protein >> FATS (longest) time to digest.
Small Intestine – the walls are covered with tiny finger-like projections called VILLI, it increases surface area to which
nutrients can be absorb to the bloodstream.
Large Intestine – the waste products are move, is named for the diameter of the cavity not for its length..also called as
COLON. Its role is to absorb any extra water from the digestive material before it is finally excreted.
If the passes too quickly, too little water is absorbed – causing DIARRHEA
If it passes too slow, too much water is absorbed – causing CONSTIPATION
TAKES about 30hrs for food to move to the large intestine. 2 to 4 days from Digestion to stool.
Waste is usually brown and stinky – the cause of the smell is bacteria (microbes), come from the gases release of the
bacteria.
The Salivary glands -These glands increase their output of secretions through three pairs of ducts into the oral
cavity. Saliva lubricates the food enabling it to be swallowed and contains the enzyme ptyalin which serves to
begin to break down starch
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STOMACH - lies below the diaphragm and to the left of the liver. It is the widest part of the alimentary canal and acts as
a reservoir for the food where it may remain for between 2 and 6 hours.
Pepsinogen – enzyme, which begins the digestion of protein.
PANCREAS - connected to the duodenum via two ducts and has two main functions
1. To produce enzymes to aid the process of digestion
2. To release insulin directly into the blood stream for the purpose of controlling blood sugar levels
LIVER - acts as a large reservoir and filter for blood, occupies the upper right portion of abdomen and has several
important functions:
1. Secretion of bile to the gall bladder
2. Carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
3. Storage of glycogen ready for conversion into glucose when energy is required.
4. Storage of vitamins
The GALL BLADDER - stores and concentrates bile which emulsifies fats making them easier to break down by the
pancreatic juices.
The LARGE INTESTINE - The colon is divided into the ascending, transverse and descending colons, before reaching the
anal canal where the indigestible foods are expelled from the body.
SUMMARY
- Amylase: a digestive enzyme in the Saliva that already begins to digest carbohydrates in the mouth.
- Esophageal Lumen –the opening inside the esophagus
- Stomach walls contains Gastric glands – it produces mucous which is able to protect stomach walls from
secreted gastric acid.
o About 1 to Liters of gastric juice are produced per day
o Gastric is consist of Hydro chloric acid, enzyme pepsin (break protein in the stomach), intrinsic factor
(combined with B12 (helps make DNA) in the small intestine) and lipase (digestion of FAT)
- Pyloric Sphincter – a stomach exit, opens only a few millimeters, before going to the Duodenom
- Doudenum, Bile (breaks the fat), Pancreatic secretion are mixed with the Chyme via the Ampula of Vater.
- Pancreatic Juice – contains numerous digestive proenzymes and enzymes. It also contains HydrogenCarbonate
neutralizes the acid in the chime producing optimum PH value of 7 or 8. Proenzyme like tripsinogen
o Pancreatic Lipase – breaks the Triglycerides, leaving only one Free fatty acid.
- Bile – is produced by the Liver cells and transported to the Gall Bladder, it is stored in the Gall Bladder and
finally added to the food in the Duodenum via the Ampula of Vater.
o The pancreas also releases juice via the Ampula of Vater
- Small Intestine is consists of Duodenum, Ileum (continuous into the large Colon/Intestine) and Jejunum (have
circular surface to increase contact w/ the food -same with Duodenum).
o Each Villi (Villus) consist of blood capillaries and lymphatic capillaries called lacteals.
- Some nutrients such as Glucose (simple sugar) does not require carrier, they are transported freely in the blood
stream. Other nutrients such as IRON requires carrier like Transferrin. Fat are transported via Chylomicrons
(lycoproteins).
- Ileum – does not have circular fold, it absorbs electrolytes such as Calcium for building bones,hair and teeth.
Zinc for sperm production and the immune system. Vitamins such B12 for the maturation of the red blood cells,
and remaining Bile acid (which is transported back to the liver via the blood stream).
- Large Intestine: thicker than SI, and about 1 meter long.
- The small intestine is connected to the larger intestine via BAUHIN’s VALVE
- Chyme is a semi-fluid, partially digested food mass produced in the stomach, consisting of food, digestive juices,
and stomach acid.