Anon
Digestive
System
welcome!
01
Functions of Digestive system
What does the digestive system do?
What does the digestive system
do?
The digestive is responsible for breaking
down and absorbing food and
converting into nutrients that your body
can absorb for energy,repair and
growth. It consists of the stomach, the
small and large intestines,the liver,
esophagus, gallbladder, and pancreas.
They all work together to process food,
identify waste and expel said waste.
02
How does it break down food?
What is the order and each organ’s
responsibility?
Mouth
The mouth is the only entry point for food or
drinks into the digestive system.
✦ Using your teeth it cuts,chews and
grinds down food, your tongue helps in
forming a food bolus ( chewed food ball)
✦ The enzyme in saliva commences the
chemical digestion of food. It also
begins to break down starches into
simple sugars
✦ your saliva also contains antibacterial
properties that can help protect you
Esophagus
The main role of the Esophagus is to transport
food and liquids from the mouth to the
stomach.
Esophagu
● Food enters the esophagus by getting
swallowed. It uses circular and s
longitudinal muscle contractions called
peristalsis to move the bolus to the
stomach.
● a muscle ring between the esophagus
and the stomach. Its purpose is to
prevent backflow of stomach contents
into the esophagus.
● It also protects by secreting mucus to
lubricate the passage of the bolus and
protect cells from damage by food
Stomach
The stomach acts as a temporary storage
that allows food to slowly be processed in the
small intestine
✦ The walls of the stomach contract to
“churn the food” causing it to
breakdown and allowing more area for
enzymes.
✦ The stomach also secretes gastric juices
such as HCI which makes proteins easier
to digest and kills bacteria and pepsin
that breaks proteins in small peptides.
Small
intestine
The small intestine further breaks down
food into nutrients that can be absorbed
using enzymes.
✦ After digestion the small intestine
absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream
via vessels and tissues.
✦ The small intestine has 3 sections
duodenum,jejunum and ileum. In
duodenum bile emulsifies fats and
enzymes digest proteins, carbs and fats
✦ The interior lining is covered in tiny
projections called villi which increase
the surface area for absorption.
✦ Primarily occurs in jejunum and ileum
Liver
✦ The liver produces bile a fluid essential
for digesting fats by breaking the fat
into small droplets allowing for more
area for enzymes to act on.
✦ The liver processes and metabolizes
absorbed nutrients and stores minerals.
✦ It also eliminates any toxins that were
absorbed
Gallbladder
✦ The gallbladder stores and releases bile
into the small intestine when needed for
digestion
✦ When food is not being digested bile is
diverted from liver to gallbladder.
Pancreas
✦ Produces digestive enzymes such as amylase and proteases that are
secreted into the small intestine to help digesting carbs, fats and proteins.
✦ It also secretes bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid in small intestine
Large
intestine/colon
✦ Remaining water is absorbed
from the indigestible part of the
food, this turns into feces.
✦ It stores this feces until its moved
to the rectumm
Rectum
The main role of the rectum is to store feces until it is
expelled from the body through the anus. ‘
✦ It has sensory receptors which identify the consistency
of the feces and aids in the proper response and control
during defecation
✦ The rectum helps stop you from involuntary defecation
Anus
✦ One of the only ways waste or
feces is expelled ( throwing up is
another one)
✦ It regulates the process of
expelling waste through
defecation to allow it to occur at
certain times.
✦ It contains sensory receptors that
detect feces and signal the need
to realease your waste.
03
How does the digestive system
work with other systems
The digestive system and the
circulatory system
Nutrients enter the bloodstream through the villi of the small intestine. The
liver also processes the nutrients removes any toxins and regulates their
release into the bloodstream
The digestive system and the muscular
system
Allows for food to move throughout the digestive system. It propels food from
the esophagus to the stomach and through the intestines. Skeletal muscles in
the mouth and pharynx also aid in chewing and swallowing.
04
Diseases that affect the
digestive system
Colorectal cancer
A type of cancer that starts in the colon(large intestine) or in the rectum it starts to
occur when small clumps of cells called polyps form in the lining of the colon or
rectum, over time som polyps become cancer.
Symptoms
- Change in feces consistency
- Blood in stool or dark stool
- Weakness due to blood loss
- Loss of appetite
- Constant urge to expel feces
Some treatment options
Colostomy: an opening is created for waste to leave the body through an external
bag
Colectomy : a bit orthe whole colon is removed
Chemotherapy: drugs are used to kill the cancerous cells
Celiac disease
An autoimmune disorder where eating gluten leads to damage in the small
intestine, when people who have this disease eat gluten their immune system
target it as a harmful substance and attacks again it in response this damages the
villi and a damaged villi affects how nutrients are absorbed causing deficiencies.
Symptoms
-bone or joint pain
- Mouth ulcers
- infertility or miscarriages
- osteoporosis(decreased bone density making you prone to fractures)
- Peripheral neuropathy ( affects your nerves can cause sensitivity to touch,
muscle weakness, blood pressure changes or reduced touch ability))
Treatment options
-avoid food containing wheat, barley and rye by using gluten free products
- supplements may be needed to address deficiencies.
If left untreated celiac can lead to increased risk of certain cancer, lactose
intolerance,etc
05
Tips for you!
Let us help you
Some tips from us
1. Eat lots of fiber such as fruits,vegetables and legumes
- Fiber helps prevent constipation and keep food moving
1. Drink lots of water
- Helps to dissolve fats and allows it to pass easily results in a less hard stool
1. Chew your food properly
- It is recommended to chew your food atleast 30 times this helps make it
easier for your digestive system to process
1. Avoid any foods that you notice cause you discomfort
2. There are meany gut and digestive vitamins and they can help if you struggle
with digestive problems
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06
Fun Time!
Fun facts
Fun facts
1. Your saliva gland produce about 1.5 liters of saliva every single day!
2. In the average adult the digestive tract from mouth to anus is around 30
feet( 9 meters) long!!
3. The growling/rumbling sound in your stomach when your hungry is caused by
gas and fluids moving through your intestines as they contract.
4. The digestive system has its own nervous system jokingly referred to as the
“second brain”. It has over 100 million nerve cells that coordinate how
digestion works without the use of the central nervous system!!
5. The average person passes gas 13-21 dont worry its completely normal
Byee