Ch25: Digestive

System
Objectives:
Discuss the general functions and anatomy
of the digestive tract
Describe the individual organs of the
system, including a discussion of the gross
and microscopic anatomy.

Digestiv
e System
consists of:

Muscular, hollow tube (= digestive tract)

+
Various accessory organs

Function
Individual parts
function in:
ingestion

The function of the system as a

whole is processing food in such a
way that high energy molecules can
be absorbed and residues
eliminated.

mechanical digestion

chemical and enzymatic digestion

secretion

absorption

compaction

excretion and elimination

Histological
Organization
Tube made up of
four layers.
Modifications
along its
length as
needed.

Muscularis

3 externa

Fig 25.2
The 4 Layers of the Gut

1) Mucosa
Epithelium usually simple columnar with goblets; may be stratified squamous if

protection needed
Lamina propria - connective tissue deep to epithelium
Muscularis mucosae -produces folds - plicae (small intestine) or rugae (stomach)

2) Submucosa made up of loose connective tissue contains submucosal plexus

and blood vessels

3) Muscularis externa smooth muscle, usually two layers (controlled by the

myenteric plexus ) outer layer: longitudinal
inner layer: circular

4) Serosa

visceral layer of mesentery or adventitia depending on location

Membranes
Peritoneum - generic serous membrane in
Mesenteries - double sheets of peritoneum,
suspending portions of the digestive organs

abdominal cavity
surrounding and

Greater omentum - "fatty apron", hangs anteriorly from stomach,

double layer encloses fat

Lesser omentum - between stomach and liver

Mesentery proper - suspends and wraps the small intestine

Mesocolon - suspends and wraps the colon, parts are

i. transverse mesocolon
ii. sigmoid mesocolon

Fig. 25.4

Oral Cavity

Also called buccal cavity - lined

with oral mucosa (type of
epithelium ?)
Hard and soft palates - form roof
of mouth

Tongue - skeletal muscle

Salivary glands - three pairs

Teeth

Three pairs of

Glands

Salivary

1-1.5 l / day for

digestion (?)
lubrication (swallowing)
moistening (tasting)

Parotid lateral side of face, anterior to ear, drain by parotid

duct to vestibule near 2nd upper molar
mumps

Submandibular medial surface of mandible drain near

lingual frenulum drain posterior to lower molars
Sublingual in floor of mouth - drain near frenulum

Structure of
Teeth
Crown - exposed surface of tooth
Neck - boundary between root and crown
Fig 25.7

Enamel - outer surface

Dentin bone-like, but noncellular
Pulp cavity - hollow with blood vessels and
nerves
Root canal - canal length of root
gingival sulcus - where gum and tooth meet

Types and Numbers of

Teeth

Dental succession
Deciduous (baby, milk) teeth - 20, replaced by
Permanent teeth - 32 teeth

Gross Anatomy of the

Stomach
Lesser curvature

Greater curvature
Cardia - end under the heart
Fundus - bulge above the esophageal opening
Body - largest region
Pylorus - J curve, inferior end, terminates in
Cardiac and Pyloric sphincters (importance?)
Rugae highly extendable interior folds

Figs 25-10/11

Histology of
Stomach

Fig 25.13

Type of epithelium lining stomach?

Gastric pits shallow pits, external half rapidly reproduces for

replacement

Gastric glands deep in lamina propria, 3 types of cells

1.

Parietal cells (produce HCl and intrinsic factor)

2.

Chief cells (produce pepsinogen)

Enteroendocrine cells G cells (several hormones

3.

including gastrin which stimulates both parietal and chief cells)

Regions of Small
Intestine

SI is longest part of dig. tube

Duodenum (short, 12 inches)

fixed shape & position
Mixing bowl for chyme & ?

Jejunum (2.5 m long)

Most of digestion

Ileum (longest at 3.5 m)

Most of absorption, ends in

Ileocecal valve slit valve into large intestine (colon)

Structure of Small Intestinal Wall

Fig 25.15

Plicae circulares circular pleats around the interior of the small

intestine
Villi minute finger-like projections, contain capillaries & lacteals
Microvilli sub-microscopic size, projections on single cells
Function of all three?

Intestinal glands (crypts)

intestinal juice production

Cell regeneration

Histology in lab

Regions of Large Intestine

Cecum pocket at proximal end with
Appendix

Colon
Ascending colon - on right, between
cecum and right colic flexure
Transverse colon - horizontal portion
Descending colon - left side, between left
colic flexure and
Sigmoid colon - S bend near terminal end

Fig 25-17

Rectum terminal end is anal canal - ending at the anus -

which has internal involuntary sphincter and external voluntary

sphincter

Histology of Large Intestine

1. Mucosa - abundant goblet cells,
stratified squamous epithelium near anal
canal
2. No villi
3. Longitudinal muscle layer incomplete,
forms three bands or taenia coli
4. Circular muscle - forms pockets or
haustra between bands

Fig 25.19

Liver
On right under diaphragm, largest
organ made up of 4 lobes (left and
right, caudate, and quadrate)
Hilus (porta hepatis) underside
"entry" point
Extremely versatile: Know a few functions?
Gall bladder
Blood supply to liver

Microscopic anatomy: Liver lobules and triads

Fig 25.20
Fig 25.21

Pancreas

Retroperitoneal

Endocrine or
exocrine gland?

Common bile duct

and pancreatic duct
lead to duodenal
ampulla and papilla

Compare to Figs 25-22 / 23