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Digestive System Overview and Functions

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358 views5 pages

Digestive System Overview and Functions

Uploaded by

adrielvamos28
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

LESSON 14 | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM


DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 5. ABSORPTION
- The entrance of ingested and secreted fluids, ions,
Two (2) Important Functions and the products of digestion into the epithelial cells
1. Breaking down large food molecules into small lining the lumen of the GI tract
molecules
2. Absorbing small molecules, minerals, water into 6. DEFECATION
the body - Wastes, ingestible substances, bacteria, cells
sloughed from the lining of the GI tract and
Composed of: Digested materials that were not absorbed in their
a. Gastrointestinal Tract journey through the Digestive tract leave the body
b. Accessory Digestive organs through the anus.

6 BASIC PROCESSES 4 DISTINCT LAYERS

1. INGESTION 1. SEROSA – Outermost layer


- Intake of Food and Liquid into the mouth. - Composed of Visceral peritoneum continuous with
parietal peritoneum
2. SECRETION - Secrete serous fluid to keep surfaces moist and
- 7 liters/day of water, acid, buffers, and enzymes into reduce friction.
the lumen of the tract.
2. MUSCULAR EXTERNA
3. MIXING AND PROPULSION - Two sets of smooth muscle layers
- Alternating contractions and relaxations of smooth a. Inner circular
muscle in the walls of the GI tract mix food and b. Outer longitudinal
secretions and move them towards the anus.
- MOTILITIY – capability of the GI tract to mix and 3. SUBMUCOSA
move material along its length. - Blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves

4. DIGESTION 4. MUCOSA – Innermost layer


- Contains glands that secrete enzymes to digest
Mechanical Digestion food molecules.
- Physical breakdown on food into smaller pieces. - Mucus to protect tissues of the GIT.
- Food molecules become more dissolved and
thoroughly mixed with digestive enzymes. CONTRACTION OF THE SMOOTH MUSCLE LAYERS

Chemical Digestion Mixing Movements


- Splitting of Complex, non-absorbable food - Alternating Rhythmic contractions in short
molecules into small absorbable nutrient molecules segments
by addition of water (hydrolysis). - Ripple-like contractions mixing food substances
- Digestive enzymes catalyze these catabolic with digestive secretions.
reactions in the body.
Peristalsis
- Propelling movements
- Wave-like manner pushing food in front of it moving
from on portion to another.

1
Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 14 | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS Basic Functions
1. MOUTH – Oral Cavity a. Mixes saliva, food, and gastric juices to form
- Intake of food, mechanically breaking into small chyme.
pieces, mix with saliva and swallowing. b. Serves as reservoir for food before release into
small intestine.
Digestion in the Mouth c. Secrete gastric juices.
- Mechanical and Chemical digestion takes place. → HCI – Kills bacteria and denatures proteins.
Mechanical – Mastication (Chewing) → Pepsin – Begins the digestion of Proteins.
Chemical – Breakdown of Carbohydrates; → Intrinsic factor – Aids absorption of B12
Salivary Amylase. → Gastric Lipase – Aids digestion of triglycerides.
d. Secretes gastrin into blood.
Mastication (chewing)
- Involves voluntary and reflexive actions of the 4 Regions:
cheeks, lips, tongue, and teeth to break down a) Cardia
food. b) Fundus
Deglutition (swallowing) c) Pylorus
- Comprises voluntary buccal and involuntary d) Body (largest region)
pharyngeal-esophageal phases. - Pyloric Sphincter: Junction of stomach and
duodenum.
2. PHARYNX – Throat
- Respiratory and Digestive functions 3 Layers of the Muscle
- Transport food from mouth to esophagus during → Outer longitudinal layer
swallowing → Middle circular layer
→ Inner oblique layer
3. ESOPHAGUS
- Muscular tube from pharynx through the Rugae
thoracic cavity and diaphragm to join stomach. - Numerous folds on empty stomach
Peristalsis - food carried to stomach by (wave-like - Allows mucosa to stretch as stomach fills with
movement of the muscles that line our GI tract). food.

Deglutition – Action or Process of Swallowing Gastric Pits


- Mucosa openings of gastric glands which secrete
Mucosa - produces mucus to lubricate esophagus and gastric juices.
aids passage of food.
- Superficial layer – adventitia, rather than the
serosa
- Sphincters:
a. Upper esophageal sphincter
b. Lower esophageal (cardiac) sphincter

4. STOMACH
- J-shaped; pouched like portion.
- Lies below the diaphragm in upper left quadrant
of abdomen.

2
Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 14 | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
5. SMALL INTESTINE Intestinal Juice
- 2.5 cm in diameter and 6.4 (21 ft) long - Fluid secreted by the intestinal glands; slightly
- Has 3 sequential segments: alkaline which contains mucus and water.
a. Duodenum – shortest 25cm - Juice provides appropriate environment for the
b. Jejunum – middle; 2.5m action of bile salts and pancreatic digestive
c. Ileum – longest; 3.6m enzymes within the SI.
- Intestinal secretions are regulated by neural
reflex (parasympathetic impulses to the
submucosa)
- Stimulate increase in the rate of the intestinal
secretions.

Carbohydrate Digestion
- Begins in the mouth and ends in the Small
Intestine.
- 3 Intestinal enzymes that split disaccharides into
monosaccharides.

Mesentery Fat (Triglyceride) Digestion


- Organ that attaches the intestines to the - Occurs in the Small Intestine
posterior abdominal wall and formed by the - Intestinal Lipase – splits fat (triglycerides into
double fold of the peritoneum. monoglycerides).
- Allow the movement with blood vessels, - End product: Diffuse into epithelial cells of Villi.
lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
Protein Digestion
BOLUS – Food that has been chewed and mixed in the - Begins at stomach and ends in the Small
mouth with Saliva. Intestine.
- Peptidase – breaks peptides into amino acids.
CHYME – Part liquid and part solid: a thick semifluid - End Products: Amino acids actively absorbed in
mass of partially digested food and digestive the capillaries of the Villi.
secretions that is formed in the stomach and small
intestine during digestion.

FUNCTIONS: 6. LARGE INTESTINE


1. Segmentation - Terminal part of the Alimentary canal
- Mix Chyme with digestive juices and bring food - Primary function is to finish absorption of
into contact with mucosa for absorption; nutrients and water, synthesize certain vitamins.
Peristalsis propels chyme through the small - Form Feces and eliminate feces from the body.
intestine.
2. Completes digestion of carbohydrates, a. Cecum
proteins, and lipids; begins and completes - First part of the large intestine
digestion of nucleic acids. - Suspended inferior to the ileocecal valve.
3. Absorbs about 90% of nutrients and water - Receives the contents of the Ileum.
that pass through digestive system. - Absorption of water and salts.
4. Major Site of Digestion.

3
Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 14 | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Appendix Mucosa has no Villi.
- A winding tube that attaches to the cecum - Columnar epithelium contains goblet cells.
- Serves as a bacterial reservoir to repopulate the
enteric bacteria. Anus kept close except during DEFECATION.
Mesoappendix Internal Anal Sphincter – Involuntary control
- The mesentery of the Appendix External Anal Sphincter – Voluntary control
- Tethers to the mesentery of the Ileum

b. Colon ACCESSORY ORGANS


- Food residue travels up the Ascending colon. 1. PANCREAS
- 4 Segments - Small, pennant-shaped gland
a. Ascending colon - Posterior to pyloric portion of the stomach
b. Transverse colon - Connects to duodenum by a duct.
c. Descending colon - Endocrine and exocrine functions
d. Sigmoid colon - Secretes pancreatic juice.

c. Rectum Control of Pancreatic secretions


- Short, terminal portion: last portion as the anal a. Neural (parasympathetic)
canal opening into anus. b. Hormonal: Secretin and Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Digestion by Pancreatic enzymes


a. Pancreatic amylase
- Acts on starch and glycogen
- Split into maltose (disaccharide)

b. Pancreatic lipase
- Acts on Fat
- Monoglycerides and fatty acids

c. Trypsin
- Major pancreatic enzyme
- Split protein into peptides

2. LIVER
Taeniae Coli - Largest gland in the body
- Unique to the colon - Located mostly in the RUQ just below the
- Portions of thickened longitudinal muscles, Diaphragm.
forming 3 conspicuous bands
Haustra Divided into 2 Lobes
- Tonic contractions gather the colon into a series - Hepatic Artery – Oxygenated blood into the liver
of pouches. - Hepatic Portal Vein – Unoxygenated, nutrient
- These are saccules in the colon that give it its rich blood.
segmented appearance. • Has many functions (not associated with
digestion).

4
Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
LESSON 14 | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
PHASES OF DIGESTION Cholecystokinin:
1. CEPHALIC PHASE - Stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes and
- Salivary glands secrete saliva. bile from the liver; release of bile from the
- Gastric glands secrete gastric juice. gallbladder.
- Preparation of the Mouth and Stomach for food
to be ingested. Gastric Inhibitory Peptide
- Inhibits gastric excretion and slows gastric
2. GASTRIC PHASE emptying and motility.
- Caused by the presence of food in the stomach.
- Promotes gastric juice secretion and Gastric CLINICAL INTERESTS
motility. a. Hematemesis
- A very dangerous condition in which a person
3. INTESTINAL PHASE bleeds internally and vomits as a result.
- Food is Digested in the Small intestine
b. Melena
REGULATORY MECHANISMS - Black, tarry stool that comes from bleeding in
- These mechanisms work to maintain the optimal your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
conditions on the lumen needed for digestion and
absorption. c. Hematochezia
- These regulatory mechanisms stimulate digestive - The passage of fresh blood per anus, usually in or
activity through mechanical and chemical activity. with stools.
- Both are controlled Extrinsically and Intrinsically.
d. Dysphagia
- Difficulty swallowing certain foods or liquids.
NEURAL CONTROL
- The wall of the Alimentary canal contains a variety e. Odynophagia’
of sensors that help regulate digestive function. - Pain when swallowing. The pain may be felt in the
- Mechanoreceptors, Chemoreceptors, and mouth or throat and can occur with or without
Osmoreceptors. difficulty swallowing.
- Activating peristalsis and segmentation that moves
food along the intestinal tract. f. Achalasia
- a rare swallowing disorder that affects the
esophagus (the tube between the throat and the
HORMONAL CONTROL stomach).
Gastrin:
- Main digestive hormone of the stomach g. Reflux
- Gastrin stimulates the secretion in response to the - Occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower
presence of food. end of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time,
- Stimulates the secretion of gastric acid by the allowing stomach acid to back up into your
parietal cells of the stomach mucosa. esophagus.

Secretin:
- Stimulates watery secretion of Bicarbonate by the
pancreas.

5
Adriel Vamos | BSN 1-F

Common questions

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Digestive activity is regulated through both neural and hormonal control mechanisms. Neural control involves sensors like mechanoreceptors, chemoreceptors, and osmoreceptors that activate responses such as peristalsis and segmentation. Hormonal control involves substances like gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin, which stimulate activities like gastric acid secretion and bile release to maintain optimal conditions for digestion and absorption .

The small intestine is adapted for efficient digestion and absorption through its structure and function. Its length (6.4 meters) and internal surface area (villi and microvilli) maximize contact with digested food for absorption. Segmentation and peristalsis ensure thorough mixing and propulsion of chyme. Additionally, it completes carbohydrate, protein, and lipid digestion and absorbs about 90% of nutrients and water through its extensive mucosal lining .

Digestion occurs in three phases: cephalic, gastric, and intestinal. The cephalic phase involves the secretion of saliva and gastric juices in preparation for food ingestion. The gastric phase is initiated by the presence of food in the stomach, promoting gastric juice secretion and motility. The intestinal phase involves the digestion of food in the small intestine, ensuring nutrients are absorbed properly. Each phase is crucial for efficient digestion and nutrient absorption .

The pancreas plays a crucial role in digestion by secreting pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes like pancreatic amylase, lipase, and trypsin that aid in the breakdown of starch, fats, and proteins respectively. Pancreatic secretions are regulated through neural and hormonal controls, with secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) being key hormones that stimulate the secretion of digestive juices .

The gastrointestinal tract has four distinct layers: serosa, muscular externa, submucosa, and mucosa. The serosa is the outermost layer, secreting serous fluid to reduce friction. The muscular externa facilitates mixing and propulsion through its smooth muscle layers. The submucosa contains vessels and nerves that support the digestive process. The mucosa, being the innermost layer, secretes enzymes and mucus to protect tissue and aid digestion .

Accessory digestive organs, including the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder, play significant roles in the digestive process. The pancreas secretes essential digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid. The liver produces bile necessary for fat emulsification, while the gallbladder stores and concentrates bile for release into the small intestine. These organs ensure efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients by assisting in the chemical breakdown of food .

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth where salivary amylase breaks down carbohydrates into simpler molecules. It continues as the chyme enters the small intestine, where the pancreatic amylase further breaks down the carbohydrates. The process finishes in the small intestine, where intestinal enzymes split disaccharides into monosaccharides, which are absorbed by the intestinal walls .

The large intestine's primary function is to complete the absorption of nutrients and water, synthesize certain vitamins, form feces, and eliminate them from the body. Structures like the cecum, colon, rectum, and anus contribute to these functions. The process involves absorbing remaining water and salts, with goblet cells lining the mucosa aiding in this absorption and forming feces ready for elimination .

The two main functions of the digestive system are breaking down large food molecules into smaller molecules and absorbing small molecules, minerals, and water into the body. This is facilitated by the gastrointestinal tract and accessory digestive organs. The gastrointestinal tract includes processes like ingestion, secretion, mixing and propulsion, digestion (mechanical and chemical), absorption, and defecation, which all contribute to breaking down food and absorbing nutrients .

The stomach's structure, including its J-shaped form and the presence of different muscle layers, allows it to mix saliva, food, and gastric juices to form chyme. The stomach has four regions: cardia, fundus, pylorus, and body, which help in various digestive functions. It also secretes gastric juices like HCI, pepsin, intrinsic factor, and gastric lipase that aid in digestion . Additionally, the rugae allow the stomach to stretch, and gastric pits secrete necessary juices .

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