ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The human digestive system is a complex series of organsand glands that processes food. In order to
use the food we eat,

our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules, andit also has to excrete waste.Most of
the digestive organs (like the stomach and theintestines) are tube-like and contain the food as it
makes its waythrough the body. The digestive system is essentially a long,twisting tube that runs
from the mouth to the anus, plus few otherorgans (like the liver and pancreas) that produce or
storedigestive enzymes.

THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS

The digestive process begins in the mouth. Food is partlybroken down by the process of chewing
and by chemical action of salivary enzymes (these enzymes are produced by the salivaryglands and
break down starches into smaller molecules).After being chewed and swallowed, the food enters
theesophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that runs from themouth to the stomach. It uses
rhythmic, wave-like musclemovements

Then, food enters the stomach which is a large, sac-likeorgan that churns the food and bathes it in a
very strong acid(gastric acid). Food in the stomach that is partly digested andmixed with stomach
acids is called chyme.After being in the stomach, food enters the jejunum, theduodenum and then
the ileum of the small intestine. In the smallintestine, bile (produced in the liver and stored in the
bladder),pancreatic enzymes and other digestive enzymes produced bythe inner wall of the small
intestine help in the break downof food.After passing through the small intestine, food passes
intothe large intestines. Here, some of the water and electrolytes areremoved from the food. Many
microbes (like

Bacteroides,Lactobacillus acidophilus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella

) in thelarge intestines help in the digestion process. The first part of thelarge intestine is called
cecum in which the appendix isconnected, food then travels upward in the ascending colon,
thentravels across the abdomen in the transverse colon to thedescending colon then to the sigmoid
colon.

Solid waste is then stored in the rectum until excreted viathe anus.
The illustration above shows two cycles occurring separately to maintain homeostasis in the body.
When glucose levels are toohigh the pancreas secretes

insulin

to convert excess glucose togycogen for storage. When glucose levels are too low thepancreas
produces

glucagon

to convert stored glycogen to glucose, resulting in an increase in glucose levels.

DIABETES MELLITUS

DESCRIPTION

Diabetes Mellitus is a group of metabolic disorderscharacterized by elevated levels of blood glucose

(hyperglycemia)resulting from defects in insulin production or secretion,decreased cellular response
to insulin or both. Because cellscannot use glucose, fats and even proteins are broken down andused
to meet the energy requirements of the body. As a result,body weight begins to decline. Loss of body
proteins leads to adecreased ability to fight infections, so diabetics must be carefulwith their hygiene
and in caring for even small cuts and bruises