THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

STRUCTURES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

◦The digestive system consists primarily of

the gastrointestinal tract , which is also
known as the GI tract (gastr/o means
stomach, intestin means intestine, and -al
means pertaining to). These organs work in
cooperation with accessory organs.

◦ The upper GI tract consists of the mouth,

pharynx (throat), esophagus, and stomach.
This transports food from the entry into the
body until digestion begins in the stomach.
STRUCTURES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

◦The lower GI tract, which is sometimes

referred to as the bowels, is made up of the
small and large intestines plus the rectum
and anus. Here digestion is completed, and
waste material is prepared for expulsion
from the body.

◦The accessory organs of the digestive

system include the liver, gallbladder, and
pancreas.
The Oral Cavity
◦The major structures of the oral cavity, also known as the mouth, are the lips,
hard and soft palates, salivary glands, tongue, teeth, and the periodontium

The Lips

◦The lips, surround the opening to the oral cavity.

◦During eating, the lips, tongue, and cheeks hold the food in the mouth.

◦ The lips also have important roles in breathing, speaking, and the expression
of emotions.
◦The Palate

◦The palate , which forms the roof of the mouth,

consists of three major parts;

1- The hard palate is the anterior portion of the

palate. This area is covered with specialized
mucous membrane.

◦ Rugae are irregular ridges or folds in this mucous

membrane .
2- The soft palate is the flexible posterior portion of
the palate. During swallowing, it has the important
role of closing off the nasal passage to prevent food
and liquid from moving upward into the nasal
cavity.

3- The uvula is the third part, and it hangs from the

free edge of the soft palate. During swallowing, it
moves upward with the soft palate.
It also plays an important role in snoring and in the
formation of some speech sounds.
◦The Tongue
◦The tongue is very strong, flexible,
and muscular.
◦The posterior portion of the tongue is
attached to the floor of the mouth.
◦The anterior end of the tongue moves
freely and is flexible.
◦It is the structure of the tongue that
makes it so important for chewing,
speaking, and swallowing.
◦The upper surface of the tongue has a
tough protective covering and in some
areas, small bumps known as papillae.
These papillae contain taste buds, which
are the sensory receptors for the sense of
taste.
◦The Tongue

◦The sublingual surface of the tongue and

the tissues that lie under the tongue are
covered with delicate highly vascular
tissues.

◦Sublingual means under the tongue.

Highly vascular means containing many
blood vessels.
◦The presence of this rich blood supply
under the tongue makes it suitable for
administering certain medications
sublingually by placing them under the
tongue, where they are quickly
absorbed into the bloodstream.
◦The lingual frenum is a band of tissue that
attaches the tongue to the floor of the
mouth.

◦This frenum limits the motion of the

tongue.
 Tissues of the Oral Cavity
◦The term periodontium describes the
structures that surround, support, and are
attached to the teeth.

◦ This consists of the bone of the dental

arches and the soft tissues that surround
and support the teeth.
◦The gingiva, also known as masticatory mucosa or the gums, is
the specialized mucous membrane that covers the bone of the
dental arches and surrounds the neck of the teeth.
 The Dental Arches
◦The dental arches are the bony structures of the oral cavity.

These arches hold the teeth firmly in position to facilitate

chewing and speaking.

◦The maxillary arch is commonly known as the upper jaw

and consists of bones of the lower surface of the skull. This

arch does not move.

◦The mandibular arch, commonly know as the lower jaw, is

a separate bone and is the only movable component part of

the joint.
 The Dental Arches

◦The temporomandibular commonly

known as the TMJ, is formed at the
back of the mouth where the
maxillary and mandibular arches
come together.
 The Teeth
◦The term dentition refers to the natural teeth arranged in the upper and lower jaws.

Human dentition con- sists of four types of teeth

These are the:

◦Incisors and canines (also known as cuspids). These teeth are used for biting and tearing.

◦Premolars, which are also known as bicuspids.

◦ and molars.

premolar and molars are used for chewing and grinding.

Primary and Permanent Dentition
◦ The primary dentition is also known as the
deciduous dentition, or baby teeth.

◦These 20 teeth erupt during early childhood,

are normally lost in late childhood, and are
replaced by the permanent teeth.

◦The primary dentition consists of 8 incisors, 4

canines, and 8 molars, but no premolars.
Primary and Permanent Dentition
◦ The permanent dentition consists of 32 teeth
designed to last a lifetime. Of these teeth, 20 replace
primary teeth and 12 erupt at the back of the mouth.

◦ The permanent dentition includes 8 incisors,

4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars.

◦ The term occlusion, as used in dentistry, describes

any contact between the chewing surfaces of the
upper and lower teeth.
 Structures and Tissues of the Teeth
◦ The crown is the portion of a tooth that is visible
in the mouth. It is covered with enamel, which is
the hardest substance in the body

◦ The roots of the tooth hold it securely in place

within the dental arch. The roots are protected by
cementum. This substance is hard, but it is not as
strong as enamel.

◦ The cervix, also known as the neck of the tooth,

is where the crown and root meet.
 Structures and Tissues of the Teeth
◦ Dentin makes up the bulk of the tooth. The portion
that is above the gum line is covered with enamel. The
root area is covered with cementum.

◦ The pulp cavity is the area within the crown and roots
of the tooth that is surrounded by the dentin to protect
the delicate pulp of the tooth. In the roots, the pulp
continues in the space known as the root canals.

◦ The pulp itself consists of a rich supply of blood

vessels and nerves that provide nutrients and
innervation to the tooth.
 Saliva and Salivary Glands
◦Saliva is a colorless liquid that
maintains the moisture in the mouth.

◦It helps maintain the health of the

teeth, and it begins the digestive
process by lubricating food during
chewing and swallowing.
 Saliva and Salivary Glands
◦ The three pairs of salivary glands secrete saliva that
is carried by ducts into the mouth

◦ The parotid glands are located on the face, slightly

in front of each ear. The ducts for these glands are
on the inside of the cheek near the upper molars.

◦ The sublingual glands and their ducts are located on

the floor of the mouth under the tongue.

◦ The submandibular glands and their ducts are

located on the floor of the mouth near the mandible.
 MEDICAL SPECIALTIES RELATED TO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

◦An oral or maxillofacial surgeon specializes in surgery of the face and jaws to correct
deformities, treat diseases, and repair injuries.

◦An orthodontist is a dental specialist who prevents or corrects malocclusion of the

teeth and related facial structures

(orth means straight or normal, odont means the teeth, and -ist means specialist).

◦A periodontist is a dental specialist who prevents or treats disorders of the tissues

surrounding the teeth

(peri- means surrounding, odont means the teeth, and -ist means specialist).
PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦Aphthous ulcers , also known as mouth ulcers, are

gray-white pits with a red border in the soft tissues
lining the mouth. Although the exact cause is unknown,
the appearance of these very common sores is
associated with stress, certain foods, or fever.

◦An ulcer is an open lesion of the skin or mucous

membrane resulting in tissue loss around the edges
 PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦ Leukoplakia is an abnormal white precancerous lesion (sore)

that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek (leuk/o

means white, and -plakia means plaque).

◦ These lesions develop in response to chronic irritation in the

mouth such as constant rubbing against a broken tooth

 PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦ Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth

(stomat means mouth or oral cavity, and -itis means inflammation).

◦ Stomatomycosis is any disease of the mouth due to a fungus

(stomat/o means mouth or oral cavity, myc means fungus, and -osis means

abnormal condition or disease).

◦ Oral thrush is a type of stomatomycosis that develops when the fungus Candida

albicans grows out of control. The symptoms are creamy white lesions on the

tongue or inner cheeks. This condition occurs most often in infants, older adults

with weakened immune systems, or individuals who have been taking antibiotics.
 PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦ The term trismus

describes any restriction to the opening of the mouth caused by trauma, surgery, or radiation
associated with the treatment of oral cancer. This condition causes difficulty in speaking and affects
the patient’s nutrition due to impaired ability to chew and swallow.
 PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth:

is the lack of adequate saliva due to diminished secretions by

the salivary glands.

◦This condition can be due to medications or radiation of the

salivary glands, and can cause discomfort, difficulty in

swallowing, changes in the taste of food, and dental decay.

PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

◦A cleft lip: also known as a harelip, is

a birth defect in which there is a deep
groove of the lip running upward to
the nose as a result of the failure of
this portion of the lip to close during
prenatal development.
PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Tissues of the Oral Cavity

◦A cleft palate:

◦ is the failure of the palate to close during

the early development of the fetus.

◦This opening can involve the upper lip, hard

palate, and/or soft palate. If not corrected,
this opening between the nose and mouth
makes it difficult for the child to eat and
speak.
 Dental Diseases and Conditions

◦Bruxism:

• is the involuntary grinding or

clenching of the teeth that
usually occurs during sleep and is
associated with tension or stress.

• Bruxism wears away tooth

structure, damages periodontal
tissues, and injures the
temporomandibular joint.
◦ Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or a cavity:
◦ is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroy the
enamel and dentin of the tooth. If the decay process is not
arrested, the pulp can be exposed and become infected.
◦Dental plaque, which is a major cause of
dental caries and periodontal disease, forms
as soft deposits in sheltered areas near the
gums and between the teeth.

◦ Dental plaque consists of bacteria and

bacterial by-products. In contrast, the
plaque associated with heart conditions
consists of deposits of cholesterol that form
within blood vessels.
 Dental Diseases and Conditions

◦Edentulous means without

teeth.

◦This term describes the

situation after the natural
permanent teeth have been
lost.
 Dental Diseases and Conditions

◦ Malocclusion is any deviation

from the normal positioning of the
upper teeth against the lower teeth.
Malocclusion
 Periodontal Disease

◦Gingivitis: is the earliest stage of periodontal disease, and the inflammation

affects only the gingiva.

◦Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, is an inflammation of the

tissues that surround and support the teeth usually involves the alveolar bone.
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