DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The Digestive System break food to small molecules that the body can absorb.
COMPONENTS:
 Mouth
 Pharynx
 Esophagus
 Stomach
 Small intestine
 Large intestine

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES:
Salivary glands, pancreas, liver

GIT CONSISTS OF:-

 Oral cavity or mouth
 Pharynx
 Esophagus
 Stomach
 Small intestine
 Large intestine
 Rectum
 Anus

“Digestive System Total length 8-9 meters –2/3 small intestines”

PARTS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM :

Mouth, Salivary glands , Stomach ,Pancreas (behind stomach), Large intestine ,Small
intestine, Rectum ,Gallbladder (behind liver), Liver, Esophagus, Pharynx .
UPPER DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Lips, Mouth (lips, tongue, teeth), salivary glands, pharynx, esophogus,

MOUTH

MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL DIGESTION

1:-MASTICATION“chewing”
a) Lips – hold food in
b) Tongue – moves food around
c) Teeth – cut, tear and crush

2:-SALIVATION
a. chemical digestion begins
b. Moistens food – salt, water, mucous
c. Amylase – starch breakdown to sugars
d. Lysozyme – breaks down cells (especially pathogens)
3:-END RESULT:
a) Bolus
b) Bolus pushed to esophagus
c) Tongue and throat muscles

SALIVARY GLANDS AND PHARYNX SALIVARY GLANDS:-

Three pairs
 Parotid
 Submandibular
 Sublingual
 Pharynx is a Common passage
 Epiglottis Covering for the glottis (opening to the larynx)
 Esophogus is about 25 cm (10 inches)
 Peristalsis----Movements in the “food tube” that push food to the stomach (voluntary
muscle)
 Can eat in no gravity
 Can eat lying down
 Cardiac Sphincter (involuntary)
 Ring of muscle between stomach and esophagus
 Heartburn; acid reflux Overeating, high acid foods, high caffeine

STOMACH:-

Muscular sac
CHEMICAL DIGESTION MUCUS :-
It lubricates and protects the stomach wall Hydrochloric acid – provides acidity Pepsin –
Activated by HCl –Begins protein digestion (with HCl)
MUSCULAR DIGESTION
Fluids and food mix to form chyme –After ~1 to several hours, goes through pyloric valve to
duodenum (1 st part of small intestine)

ULCER:-

Caused by Helicobacter pylori –

Requires antibiotics, not bland diets –
Bacteria damage cells of stomach lining, make stomach susceptible to ulcers, acid further
irritates.

DUODENUM:-

1 st part of small intestine

Most chemical digestion here –Enzymes & digestive juices from pancreas, liver, and
duodenum lining.
PANCREASE &LIVER:-

As chyme enters duodenum of small intestine, add from:

Pancreas –
For digestion:
Amylase – continued starch breakdown
Trypsin – protein;
Lipase – fat breakdown Sodium bicarbonate – neutralizes stomach acid –
Also: Enzymes that regulate blood sugar levels.
Liver –
Bile –
acts like a detergent
Disperses fat into droplets
Lipase then breaks down fats
Gall bladder – Bile storage area

SMALL INTESTINE:-

Three parts –
Duodenum – very short (< 1 meter) –
Jejunum (3 meters) –
Ileum (3 meters)
Role: Absorption of nutrients –
Folds - Villi Microvilli
Contain capillary fields
Chyme moved slowly across surface
Absorb protein and carbohydrate products
Lacteals Lymph vessels which absorb fatty acids and undigested fats
LARGE INTESTINE:-

What remains? –
Cellulose and undigested materials
Water
Bacteria
Purpose:
Water absorption –Some vitamins produced here (K)
Defecation –Elimination of remaining waste material through rectum. (Solid excretion)
FUNCTIONS OF DIGESTION
1. Mastication (Mechanical)
2. Salivation (Chemical)
3. Peristalsis (Mechanical)
4. Actions of Enzymes/Acid (Chemical)
5. Muscular Digestion (Mechanical)
6. Absorption
7. Defecation