Digestive System
Major functions of the digestive system
Digestive enzymes
Major organs of the digestive system
Layers of GI Tract
Consists of organs that are involved in the breaking down of food into molecules that an pass through the wall of the digestive tract and can be taken up by cells
Esophagus- collapsible tube runs from pharynx to stomach, through diaphragm
Stomach- food enters the at the cardioesophageal sphincter
Pharynx- involved in deglutition
Small intestine- muscular tube extending from the pyloric sphincter
Mouth- opening into the oral cavity
Oropharynx- passage for food, water and air
Laryngopharynx- inferior to oropharynx
Where most chemical digestion of all foods occurs
Site of nutrient absorption into blood and lymphatic vessels
Large intestine- site of absorption of water and electrolytes
Anus- eliminates feces from rectum to exterior
Amylase- produced in the mouth and it helps break down large starch molecules into smaller sugar molecules.
Pepsin, produced in the stomach. Pepsin helps break down proteins into amino acids.
Trypsin, produced in the pancreas. Trypsin also breaks down proteins.
Pancreatic lipase, produced in the pancreas. It is used to break apart fats.
Stomach
Submucosa- arelor connective tissue containing major blood vessels
Mucosa membrane- produces mucus for reduction of friction and protection
Disorder of the Digestive System
Esophageal varices – bulging, engorged veins in the walls of the esophagus are often a complication of chronic alcoholism
Crohn’s Disease – a chronic inflammatory disease primarily of the bowel and some of the symptoms are abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea.
Diverticulosis/diverticulitis – Small pouches may form along the walls of the large intestine called diverticuli
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)- Weakness of the valve between the esophagus and stomach may allow stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus and irritate and inflame the lining.
Peritonitis – Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Muscularis layer- 2 layers of smooth muscles to allow peristalsis
Cardiac region- near heart
Fundus- dome shaped, filled with gas
Body- main portion
Pylorus- funnels shaped end
Pyloric sphincter- controls food leaving stomach and entering small intestine