Assignment Topic:
Digestive System
Submitted To:
Dr Sara Zahid
Submitted By:
Ali Zain
Sap ID:
70181557
Primary Components of Alimentary Canal
The Alimentary Canal , also known as gastrointestinal (GI) tract or digestive tract is
a continous muscular tube that runs from mouth to the anus . In an adult it is approximately
9 metres (30 feet) long. Its primary role is to break down complex molecules of food
, provide nutrients and expel waste.
The 6 main components are :
• Oral Cavity
• Pharynx
• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small Intestine
• Large Intestine
The Oral Cavity
The oral cavity , also known as mouth or buccal cavity is the entry point of the
alimentary canal . It is especially designed to for the intake of food (ingestion) and the first
stages of digestion .
Structural divisions
The oral cavity is divided into two main regions :
The Vestibule:
The narrow slit like space between the inner space of the cheeks/lips and the
outer surface of the teeth and gums.
The Oral Cavity Proper:
The large internal space bounded by teeth at the front/sides , the
palate at the top , and the tongue at the bottom .
Key Components and functions
The oral cavity uses a combination of mechanical and chemical processes to prepare food for
swallowing.
Teeth:
Responsible for mastication . Humans have four types : incisors (cutting), canines
(tearing), and premolars/molars (grinding).
Tongue:
A muscular organ that moves food during chewing and forms it into a soft form
called bolus. It also contains taste buds for sensory perception .
Palate:
The roof of the mouth . The anterior hard palate provides a surface for the tongue to
press against , while the posterior soft palate closes off the nasal cavity during swallowing.
Salivary Glands:
Three pairs ( parotid , sublingual, and submandibular ) that
secrete saliva . Saliva moistens the food and contains the enzyme amylase , which begins
breaking down the complex carbohydrates into simple sugars .
Uvula:
The fleshy dandly bit at the back of the soft palate ; it prevents the food from entering
the nasal cavity.
Digestion in the mouth
[Link] Digestion:
Teeth break down the complex food particles into simpler ones
, increasing the surface area for the enzymes to work.
[Link] Digestion:
Salivary amylase starts the breakdown of starches.
[Link]:
Mucus in saliva coats the food, make it slippery enough to travel safely down
the esophagus.
Pharynx
The pharynx , commonly known as throat is a muscular tube that connects the oral
and nasal cavities to the esophagus and larynx. It is a unique part of the body because it
serves both the digestive system and repsiratory system .
It is divided into 3 regions:
• Nasopharynx
• Oropharynx
• Laryngopharyx
Role in Digestion
[Link] the swallowing
Once your tongue pushes the bolus to back of the mouth the
pharynx takes control over it automatically.
[Link] traffic
To ensure food doesn’t go to the wrong path , the pharynx triggers the
soft palate to block the nose and the epiglottis to block the windpipe.
[Link] the bolus
Muscular walls contract in a wave like motion to push food into
esophagus in less than one second.
Keytakeaway:
The pharynx is the bridge where the voluntary acts of chewing ends and
involuntary act of digestion begins .
The Esophagus
The esophagus is a muscular tube , approximately 25 centimetres long
(10 inches) that connects the pharynx to the stomach . Its function is to transport food and
liquid using a specific muscular action .
Role of esophagus
[Link]:
The esophagus doesn’t rely only on gravity . It uses peristalsis – rhythmic
, wave like muscle contractions to squeeze the food bolus downwards . This is why you even
swallow when you are lying down .
[Link] control:
There are two valves that act as security gates :
Upper Sphincter: Opens to let food in from throat .
Lower Sphincter: Opens to let food into the stomach and closes tightly to prevent stomach
acid from splashing back up (heartburn).
[Link]:
The lining of esophagus secretes the mucus to keep the bolus moist and its
smooth flow to the stomach .
Stomach
The stomach is a hollow J shaped organ that acts as temporary storage site and
chemical processor for food .
Structural Regions
Cardia
Fundus
Body
Pylorus
Layers
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis
Serosa
Function
Mechanical digestion :
The stomach allows the churning and grinding of food . This physical mixing turns
solid bolus into a semi liquid substance called chyme .
Chemical digestion:
The stomach lining secretes the gastric juice containing :
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) that kills bacteria and create acidic environment for the
enzymes to work .
Enzyme Pepsin for the breakdown of protiens .
Protective lining
The thick layer of alkaline mucous is secreted to protect the stomach from
digested itself .
Small Intestine
It is called the absorption hub and it is 6 metres long with a narrow diameter .
3 sections
Duodenum
This is where chemical digestion peaks from the secretions from the liver(BILE)
and pancreas (the pancreatic juice).
Jejunum
It is the middle portion of small intestine
Ileum
The final section that absorbs the vitamin B12, bile salts , nutrients from food , and
all other useful substance before passing waste to the large intestine .
Surface Area
The surface area for absorption is increased by presence of circular folds
, villi and microvilli.
Function
Completes the digestion of protiens , fats and carbohydrates .
Moves water , vitamins , minerals, and digested food into the blood stream and lymphatic
system.
Large Intestine
The large intestine is the finishing part of the digestive system
. It doesn’t digest food but it focuses on recycling water and manage wastes .
The four main parts :
Caecum
Colon
Rectum
Anus
Functions:
Water Absorption:
It absorbs most of the water from the remaining food residue, turning
liquid into solid stool.
Vitamin production :
Friendly bacteria (gut flora) live here and produce vitamin B and K .
Waste compaction :
It collects the indigestible food and bacteria to form faeces .
Storage and elimination :
It holds waste until it can be comfortably removed from the body
.