DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Functions of the Digestive System

 Ingestion - eating food
 Digestion - breakdown of the food
 Absorption - extraction of nutrients from the food
 Defecation - removal of waste products
The digestive system also builds and replaces cells and tissues that are constantly dying.

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 Buccal Cavity

 Food enters the mouth and is chewed by the teeth, turned over and mixed with saliva by the tongue. The
sensations of smell and taste from the food sets up reflexes which stimulate the salivary glands.

 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

Minor and Major Salivary Glands

 Minor – scattered throughout the oral cavity. Produces saliva continuously without neuronal stimuli. Majority is
Seromucous Glands
o Labial – glands in the lips
o Buccal – glands in buccal region
o Palatine Glands
o Lingual Glands
 Major – has ducts the open in the oral cavity to secrete saliva.
o Parotid – largest salivary gland, purely serous gland, produce watery secretions containing enzymes.
Located on the lateral surface of the head, ventral to the auricle. Parotid/Stensen duct -open in upper
side of the cheeks, the opening has a papilla around it called Papilla of the Parotic duct (a small
elevation around the parotic opening). Above it is the Accessory parotic gland which also assist in
producing saliva.
 Superficial part
 Zygomatic Arch
 Angle of the mandible
o Submandibular - contains seromucous gland, lies under the Mylohyoid muscle, it also ends up in the
sublingual space. Submandibular/Wharton’s duct which opens up in the middle of the floor of the oral
cavity.
o Sublingual – located in the sublingual space, the anterior part is seromucous, and posterior is purely
mucous.
Saliva is made up of THREE (3) components.
1) Serous - contains enzymes that helps in food digestion - contains lot of granules
2) Mucous - lubricates the inner surface of our mouth and food so it passes easily in the DS. maintains lighter (mucin +
water=mucous) equals
3) SeroMucous – produces both mucous and enzymes.

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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.

Age Related changes in the Digestive System

 Slower movement of food through the digestive tract due to weaker muscles.
 Reduced amounts of gastric, pancreatic, and other digestive system secretions.
 Changes in stomach acid levels and enzymes.
 Increased risk of constipation, heartburn, and other digestive problems.
 Weaker digestion and reduced nutrient absorption

Common Diseases of the Digestive System

 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Symptoms: Heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain.
 Peptic Ulcers
Symptoms: Burning stomach pain, bloating, nausea.
 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
 Crohn's Disease (Inflammatory bowel disease)
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss
 Ulcerative Colitis
Symptoms: Diarrhea with blood, abdominal pain.
 Gallstones
Symptoms: Pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea
 Celiac Disease (Autoimmune disorder reaction to Gluten)
Symptoms: Diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss
 Diverticulitis (Inflammation of the pouches)
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, fever, nausea
 Hepatitis
Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain.
 Pancreatitis
Symptoms: Severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting