Anatomy and Physiology Digestive System - Ingests Food (Takes It In), Digests It (Breaks It Down) Into Nutrient Molecules, Absorbs The

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
- Ingests food (takes it in), digests it (breaks it down) into nutrient molecules, absorbs the
nutrients into the bloodstream, and then defecates (excretes) to rid the body of the indigestible
wastes.
Functions of the Digestive System:
1. Ingestion
2. Propulsion
3. Food breakdown
4. Food breakdown
5. Absorption
6. Defecation
Alimentary Canal
The alimentary canal, also called the gastrointestinal tract, is a continuous, hollow muscular
tube that winds through the ventral body cavity and is open at both ends.
MOUTH
 Food enters the digestive tract through the mouth, or oral cavity, a mucous membrane-
lined cavity.
 The oral cavity represents the first part of the digestive tube.
 Its primary function is to serve as the entrance of the alimentary tract and to initiate the
digestive process by salivation and propulsion of the alimentary bolus into the pharynx.
Palate- The hard palate forms its anterior roof, and the soft palate forms its posterior roof.
PHARYNX
 Also called the throat, is the passageway leading from the mouth and nose to the
esophagus and larynx. The pharynx permits the passage of swallowed solids and liquids
into the esophagus.
 From the mouth, food passes posteriorly into the oropharynx and laryngopharynx.
ESOPHAGUS
 Also called as a gullet, a muscular tube extending from the pharynx and behind the
trachea to the stomach. Food is pushed through the esophagus and into the stomach by
means of a series of contractions called peristalsis.
 Before the opening to the stomach is an important ring-shaped muscle called the lower
esophageal sphincter (LES). This sphincter opens to let food pass into the stomach
and closes to keep it there. If your LES doesn't work properly, you may suffer from a
condition called GERD, or reflux, which causes heartburn and regurgitation (the feeling
of food coming back up).
STOMACH
 A sac-like organ with strong muscular walls. In addition to holding food, it serves as the
mixer and grinder of food.
 The stomach secretes acid and powerful enzymes that continue the process of breaking
the food down and changing it to a consistency of liquid or paste.
 Stomach secretions are made up of hydrochloric acid, several enzymes, and a mucus
coating that protects the lining of your stomach.
 Gastrin targets the stomach and stimulates gastric glands to release hydrochloric acid
(HCL).
 Intestinal Gastrin targets the stomach and stimulates gastric glands and motility.
SMALL INTESTINE
 This the body’s major digestive organ.
 Made up of three segments -- the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
 The small intestine also breaks down food using enzymes released by the pancreas and
bile from the liver, and is where most nutrients are absorbed.
 Peristalsis is also involved by moving food through and mixing it up with the digestive
secretions from the pancreas and liver, including bile.
 The duodenum is largely responsible for the continuing breakdown process, with the
jejunum and ileum being mainly responsible for absorption of nutrients into the
bloodstream.
LARGE INTESTINE
 The large intestine is much larger in
diameter than the small intestine but
shorter in length.
 Its major functions are to dry out
indigestible food residue by absorbing
water and to eliminate these residues
from the body as feces.
 Stool, or waste left over from the
digestive process, passes through the
colon by means of peristalsis, first in a
liquid state and ultimately in solid
form. As stool passes through the
colon, any remaining water is
absorbed. Stool is stored in the
sigmoid (S-shaped) colon until it
empties it into the rectum, usually
once or twice a day.
Accessory Digestive Organ

TEETH
 The teeth tear and grind the food, breaking it down into smaller fragments.
 The tooth has two anatomical parts, the crown and the root. The crown is the top part
that is exposed and visible above the gum (gingiva). It is covered with enamel, which
protects the underlying dentine. The root of a tooth descends below the gum line
anchoring the tooth in the mouth.
SALIVARY GLANDS
 Secrete saliva into the oral cavity, which is essential for the lubrication, digestion,
immunity, and overall maintenance of homeostasis within the body.
Parotid glands- The large parotid glands lie anterior to the ears and empty their secretions into
the mouth.
Submandibular and sublingual glands- The submandibular and sublingual glands empty their
secretions into the floor of the mouth through tiny ducts.
Salivary amylase- The clear serous portion contains an enzyme, salivary amylase, in a
bicarbonate-rich juice that begins the process of starch digestion in the mouth.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
- The nervous system is the master control and communication system of the body.
Functions of the Nervous System:
 It uses its millions of sensory receptors to monitor changes occurring both inside and
outside the body. These changes are called stimuli, and the gathered information is
called sensory input.
 It processes and interprets the sensory input and decides what should be done at each
moment-a process called integration.
 It then causes a response, or effect, by activating muscles or glands (effectors) via motor
output.
NEURONS
 Also called nerve cells.

 Specialized to transmit messages (nerve
impulses) from one part of the body to
another.
NEUROTRANSMITTER
 Chemical messengers in the body.

 Transmit signals from nerve cells to target cells like muscles, glands, or other nerves.
Serotonin
 Also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT is a naturally occurring substance that

functions as a neurotransmitter to carry signals between nerve cells (called neurons)
throughout the body.
Leptin
 Targets the brain and suppresses appetite

and increases energy expenditure.
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
 Controls most functions of the body and

mind, one of the two major divisions of the
nervous system, it consists of the brain and
spinal cord.
Hypothalamus
 Chief integration center of autonomic (involuntary) nervous system.
 Regulates body temperature, food intake, water balance, and thirst.
 Regulates hormonal output of anterior pituitary gland and acts as an endocrine
(producing ADH and oxytocin).

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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Accessory Digestive Organ

 Also called nerve cells.

 Chemical messengers in the body.

 Also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT is a naturally occurring substance that

 Targets the brain and suppresses appetite

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

 Controls most functions of the body and

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