The Digestive System

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Learning Outcomes
33.1 List the functions of the digestive system.
33.2 Trace the pathway of food through the alimentary
canal.
33.3 Describe the structure and functions of the mouth,
teeth, tongue, and salivary glands.
33.4 Describe the structure and function of the
pharynx.
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Learning Outcomes (cont.)

33.5 Describe the swallowing process.
33.6 Describe the structure of the esophagus and tell
how it propels food into the stomach.
33.7 Describe the structure and functions of the
stomach.
33.8 List the substances secreted by the stomach and
give their functions.
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Learning Outcomes (cont.)

33.9 Describe the structure and functions of the small
intestine.
33.10 List the substances secreted by the small intestine
and describe the importance of each.
33.11 Describe the structure and functions of the large
intestine, including the anal canal and rectum.
33.12 Explain the structures and functions of the liver,
gallbladder, and pancreas.
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Learning Outcomes (cont.)

33.13 List the substances released by the liver,
gallbladder, and pancreas into the small intestine
and give the function of each secretion.
33.14 Tell what types of nutrients are absorbed by the
digestive system and where they are absorbed.
33.15 Describe the causes, signs and symptoms, and
treatments of various diseases and disorders of
the digestive system.
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Introduction

Digestion

Mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods

into forms that body cells can absorb
The organs of the digestive system carry out
digestion

Two categories

Alimentary canal organs

Accessory organs
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Characteristics of the
Alimentary Canal

Wall of alimentary canal

Mucosa

Submucosa

Inner most layer; epithelial tissue

Secretes enzymes and mucus into lumen
Absorbs nutrients
Inferior to mucosa; loose connective tissue, blood vessels,
glands, and nerves
Blood vessels carries away absorbed nutrients

Muscular layer

Just outside submucosa; layers of smooth muscle

Contracts to move materials through the canal
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Characteristics of the
Alimentary Canal (cont.)

Serosa

Double-walled outermost layer: peritoneum

Visceral peritoneum

Innermost wall of serosa

Secretes serous fluid to keep outside of canal moist

Parietal peritoneum

Abdominal lining

Movements

Churning mixes substances in the canal

Peristalsis propels substances through the tract
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Apply Your Knowledge

What are the layers of the wall of the alimentary canal and what
do they do?
ANSWER: The layers are:
Mucosa: innermost layer; secretes enzymes and mucus into the canal and
absorbs nutrients
Submucosa: inferior to the mucosa; carries away absorbed nutrients
Muscular layer: just outside the submucosa; contracts to move materials
through the canal
Serosa: double-walled outer layer; secretes serous fluid to keep outside of
canal moist

Bravo

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The Mouth

Buccal cavity
Mechanical digestion

Takes in food and reduces

its size by chewing

Starts chemical digestion

Saliva contains enzyme

amylase, which breaks
down carbohydrates
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The Mouth (cont.)

Cheeks hold food in mouth

Lips sensory nerve fibers that judge temperature of
food
Tongue

Skeletal muscles covered by mucous membrane

Lingual frenulum holds tongue to floor of mouth
Mixes food, holds food between teeth, contains taste buds
Lingual tonsils lymphatic tissue destroys bacteria and
viruses on back of tongue
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The Mouth (cont.)

Palate

Roof of mouth
Separates oral cavity from nasal cavity
Uvula portion of soft palate that hangs down in
throat

Lymph tissue

Palatine tonsils (oropharynx)

Pharyngeal tonsils adenoids (nasopharynx)
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The Mouth (cont.)

Teeth decrease size

of food particles

Incisors bite off

food pieces
Cuspids tear tough
food
Bicuspids and
molars grind food

Salivary glands

Cells

Serous
Mucous

Glands

Parotid
Submandibular
Sublingual

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Apply Your Knowledge

Matching:

ANSWER:

___
B Buccal cavity

A. Saliva

D Roof of mouth
___

B. Mouth

E Grind food
___

C. Bolus

F Adenoids
___

D. Palate

A Water, enzymes, and mucus

___

E. Bicuspids

B Mass of food mixed with saliva and mucus

___

F. Pharyngeal
gland

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Pharynx

Throat
Functions

Divisions

Connects nasal
cavity with oral
cavity for breathing
Pushes food into
esophagus

Nasopharynx

Oropharynx

Behind nasal cavity

Behind oral cavity

Laryngopharynx

Behind larynx
Continues as
esophagus

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Pharynx (cont.)

Swallowing automatic
process
1.

Soft palate raises, uvula covers

opening between nasal and oral
cavity

2.

Epiglottis covers larynx, keeping

food out of it

3.

Tongue presses against roof of

mouth, forcing food into
oropharynx

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Pharynx (cont.)
4.

Muscles in pharynx contract,

moving food toward esophagus

5.

Esophagus opens

6.

Food is pushed into esophagus

by muscles of pharynx

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The Esophagus

Muscular tube connecting pharynx to stomach

Esophageal hiatus hole in diaphragm through

which esophagus passes

Cardiac sphincter

Circular band of muscle at the opening of the

stomach
controls movement of food into stomach
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Apply Your Knowledge

Matching:

ANSWER:

___
E Connects nasal cavity with oral cavity

A. Cardiac sphincter

___
D Covers the opening of larynx

B. Esophageal hiatus

___
B Hole in diaphragm

C. Sphincter

___
A Controls movement of food into stomach

D. Epiglottis

___
C Circular bands of muscle

E. Pharynx

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The Stomach

Below the diaphragm in

the upper left quadrant of
the abdominal cavity

Functions

Sections

Receive food from

esophagus
Mix bolus with gastric juice
Start protein digestion
Move food into small
intestine

Cardiac region
Fundus
Body
Pylorus

Pyloric sphincter

Controls movement of
substances into small
Stomach
intestine

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The Stomach (cont.)

Lining of stomach

Rugae folds of the inner lining

Gastric glands

Mucous cells secrete mucus to protect the lining

Chief cells secrete pepsinogen pepsin, which
digests protein
Parietal cells

Hydrochloric acid needed to convert pepsinogen to pepsin

Intrinsic factor needed for vitamin B12 absorption
Stomach

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The Stomach (cont.)

Gastric glands stimulated by

Parasympathetic nervous system

Gastrin (hormone)

Cholesystokinin (hormone) secreted by the small

intestine inhibits gastric glands

Stomach absorbs alcohol, water, and some fatsoluble drugs

Chyme mixture of food and gastric juices

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Apply Your Knowledge

What are the functions of the stomach?
ANSWER: The stomachs functions are to receive
the bolus of food, mix it with gastric juice, start
protein digestion, and move food into the small
intestine. It also absorbs alcohol, water, and some
drugs.

Right
Answer!
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The Small Intestine

Tubular organ
extending from the
stomach to the large
intestine

Functions

Duodenum

Digestion
Absorption of nutrients

C-shaped
Short

Jejunum

Coiled
Majority of small
Small
intestine
Intestine

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The Small Intestine

Ileum

Mesentery

Attached to large intestine

Fan-like tissue that holds jejunum and ileum in the
abdominal cavity
Attaches to the posterior wall of the abdomen

Ileocecal sphincter

Controls movement of chyme from the ileum to the

cecum of the large intestine

Small
Intestine

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The Small Intestine (cont.)

Lining of small intestine

Microvilli increase surface area

Intestinal glands

Mucus and water

Enzymes

Peptidases digest proteins

Sucrase, maltase, and lactase digest sugars
Intestinal lipase digests fats

Primary controls

Parasympathetic nervous system

Stretching of intestinal wall
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Apply Your Knowledge

Your patient states that she is lactose intolerant.
What does that mean?
ANSWER: She cannot produce lactase and cannot
digest lactose, which is the sugar in dairy products.

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The Large Intestine

Extends from the ileum to the anus

Cecum

Beginning of large intestine

Veriform appendix

Ascending colon

Portion that goes up the right side of the

abdominal cavity

Large
Intestine

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The Large Intestine (cont.)

Transverse colon

Descending colon

Down left side of abdominal cavity

Sigmoid colon

Crosses abdominal cavity from right to left

S-shaped portion in pelvic cavity

Absorbs water and electrolytes

Large
Intestine

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The Rectum and Anal Canal

Rectum off sigmoid colon

Anal canal

Last few centimeters of rectum

Opening to outside of body is the anus

Large
Intestine

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The Rectum and Anal Canal

Feces

Leftover chyme
Consists of undigested solid materials, little
water, ions, mucus, cells of intestinal lining, and
bacteria

Defecation reflex

Triggered by periodic contractions of large

intestine
Allows anal sphincters to relax
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Apply Your Knowledge

Matching:

ANSWER:

Supe
r!

G Vermiform appendix
___

A. Feces

F Crosses the abdomen

___

B. Ascending colon

B Up right side of abdomen

___

C. Anal canal

E S-shaped tube
___

D. Defecation reflex

H Down left side of abdomen

___

E. Sigmoid

A Leftover chyme
___

F. Transverse colon

C Last section of rectum

___

G. Cecum

D Allows anal sphincters to relax

___

H. Descending colon

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The Liver

Lobular organ in right upper quadrant

Large right lobe and smaller left lobe

Hepatic lobules contain macrophages

Hepatocytes process nutrients in blood and
make bile

Part of livers function

Store vitamins and iron

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The Liver (cont.)

Hepatic portal vein carries

blood from digestive organs to
hepatic lobules
Hepatic duct bile from liver
Hepatic duct merges with cystic
duct from gallbladder and forms
common bile duct
Common bile duct delivers bile
to duodenum
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The Gallbladder

Small sac-like structure

located beneath the
liver

Only function is to
store bile

Cholecystokinin causes
the gallbladder to
release bile
Gallbladder
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Apply Your Knowledge

What is the route of bile through the liver and
gall bladder?
ANSWER: Bile is made in the hepatocytes and leaves the liver
through the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct merges with the
cystic duct from the gall bladder to form the common bile duct,
which delivers bile to the duodenum.

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The Pancreas
Located behind the stomach
Acinar cells produce pancreatic juice, which contains
these enzymes:
Pancreatic amylase
Nucleases digests
nucleic acids
digests carbohydrates

Pancreatic lipase
digests lipids

Trypsin, chymotrypsin,
and carboxypeptidase
digest proteins

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The Pancreas (cont.)

Also secretes bicarbonate ions into duodenum

Neutralize acidic chyme

Enzyme release stimulated by

Parasympathetic nervous system

Hormones secretin and cholecystokinin (from
small intestine)

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Apply Your Knowledge

What are the pancreatic enzymes and what do they do?
ANSWER: They are:
Pancreatic amylase digests carbohydrates
Pancreatic lipase digests lipids
Nucleases digest nucleic acids
Trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase digest proteins

Good Job!
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The Absorption of Nutrients

Nutrients are necessary food

substances

Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
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The Absorption of Nutrients (cont.)

Carbohydrates provide energy

Polysaccharides starches
Monosaccharides and disaccharides simple sugars
Cellulose provides fiber or bulk

Lipids used for energy when glucose levels are low

Triglycerides
Cholesterol essential for cell growth and function

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The Absorption of Nutrients (cont.)

Protein used for growth and repair of tissue

Vitamins

Essential amino acids body can not make

Fat-soluble
Water-soluble

Minerals used to make enzymes, cell membranes,

and proteins

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Apply Your Knowledge

True or False:

ANSWER:
___
T Carbohydrates are starches, simple sugars, and cellulose.
liver

___
F Excess glucose is stored in the gallbladder as glycogen.
___
F Triglycerides are the least abundant lipids

most

___
T Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid.
___
F A, D, E and K are water-soluble vitamins. fat-soluble
___
T Minerals are used by cells to make enzymes.
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Aging and the Digestive System

Decreased motility
GERD

Decreased ability to
detoxify blood

Decreased absorption

Sense of taste altered

Dietary changes due to

More likely to develop

ulcers and cancers

Isolation
Depression

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Common Diseases and Disorders

Disease / Disorder

Description

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix; can be lifethreatening if not treated promptly

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease; normal tissue is

replaced with nonfunctional scar tissue

Colitis

Inflammation of the large intestine; can be

acute or chronic

Colorectal cancer

Arises from lining of rectum or colon; curable

if treated early
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Common Diseases and Disorders (cont.)

Disease / Disorder Description
Constipation

Difficult defecation

Crohns disease

Inflammatory bowel disease; typically effects

small intestine

Diarrhea

Watery and frequent feces; usually selflimiting

Diverticulosis

Abnormal pouches in the intestinal wall; no

inflammation present
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Common Diseases and Disorders (cont.)

Disease / Disorder

Description

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticuli (abnormal

pouches in intestinal wall) of the intestine

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach lining; upset

stomach

Heartburn

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);

stomach acids push into esophagus

Hemorrhoids

Varicose veins of rectum or anus

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver; various types

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Common Diseases and Disorders (cont.)

Disease / Disorder

Description

Hiatal hernia

Portion of stomach protrudes into the chest

through an opening (usually the esophageal
hiatus) in the diaphragm

Inguinal hernia

Portion of large intestine protrudes in the

inguinal canal (where thigh and trunk meet)
or, in males, into the scrotum

Oral cancer

Usually involves the lips or tongue but can

occur anywhere in the mouth; tends to spread
rapidly
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Common Diseases and Disorders (cont.)

Disease / Disorder Description
Pancreatic cancer

Fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the

U.S.

Stomach cancer

Commonly in cardiac portion of the stomach;

occurs more frequently in Japan, Chili, and
Iceland

Stomach ulcers

Breakdown in lining of the stomach; can be

caused by bacteria (H. pylori) or smoking,
alcohol, excessive aspirin use, and
hypersecretion of stomach acid
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Apply Your Knowledge

Matching:

ANSWER:

E Inflammation of the large intestine

___

A. Heartburn

D Inflammatory bowel disease

___

B. Hemorrhoids

F Watery and frequent feces

___
C Difficult defecation
___

C. Constipation

G Inflammation of the stomach lining

___

E. Colitis

H Inflammation of pouches in the intestinal wall

___

F. Diarrhea

A GERD
___

G. Gastritis

B Varicose veins of rectum

___

H. Diverticulitis

D. Chrons disease

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In Summary

Purpose of the digestive system is to provide nutrients

to the body
Organs of alimentary canal are responsible for
mechanical and chemical breakdown of food
Accessory organs

Assist in breakdown of food

Eliminate waste

Medical assistant must have

knowledge of this system

Assist with procedures

Patient education
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Take all that is given

whether wealth, love
or language; nothing
comes by mistake and
with good digestion all
can be turned to
health.
~ George Herbert
2009 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved