The Digestive System
Explain the structure of the
digestive system
Analyze the function of the
digestive system
Discuss the characteristics and
treatment of common digestive
disorders
Definitions
Digestion- the process
of changing complex
solid foods into
simpler soluble forms
which can be
absorbed by body
cells
Enzymes- chemical
substances that
promote chemical
reactions in living
things
Alimentary Canaldigestive tract or
gastrointestinal tract
(GI Tract) A 30 ft. tube
from mouth to anus.
Tongue
Teeth
Salivary Glands
Pancreas
Liver
Gall Bladder
Physical breakdown of food.
Chemical digestion of food into the
end products of fat, carbohydrates,
and protein.
Absorb nutrients into blood capillaries
of the small intestines.
Eliminate waste products of digestion.
Food enters digestive
system through mouth
(buccal cavity)
Inside mouth covered with
mucous membrane
Roof of mouth is HARD
PALATE (bone) and soft
palate
UVULA- flap that hangs off
soft palate-prevents food
from going up the nose
when you swallow.
Tongue
Attached to floor of
mouth
Helps in chewing
and swallowing
Made of skeletal
muscle attached to
four bones
Papillae (taste
buds) on the
surface
Three pairs of
glands
PAROTID – largest
salivary glands,
they become
inflamed during
mumps
Secrete saliva
Gingiva – gums,
support and protect
teeth
Mastication – chewing,
teeth helps in
mechanical digestion
Deciduous teeth- baby
teeth (#20)
Adult mouth has 32
teeth.
Esophagus
Muscular tube 10”
long
Connects pharynx
and stomach
Upper part of abdominal
cavity
CARDIAC SPHINCTERcircular layer of muscle,
controls passage of food
into stomach
PYLORIC SPHINCTERvalve, regulates the
entrance of food into
duodenum
RUGAE- mucous coat
lining of stomach in folds
when the stomach is empty
Stomach had muscular
coat that allows it to
contract (peristalsis) and
push food into the small
intestine
DUODENUM- first
segment, curves around
pancreas, 12” long
JEJUNUM- next section, 8
ft. long
ILEUM- final portion, 10-12
ft long
ABSORPTION- in small
intestine, digested food
passes into bloodstream
and on to body cells,
indigestible passes on to
large intestine
Accessory Organs of Digestion
Pancreas- located
behind the
stomach
Exocrine functionsecretes digestive
enzymes
Also has endocrine
function
Liver
Largest organ in the
body
Located below the
diaphragm, upper right
quadrant
Manufactures bile
Connected to
gallbladder and small
intestine by ducts
Functions: produce
and store glucose in
the form of
GYCOGENDetoxify alcohol, drugs
and other harmful
substances
Manufacture blood
proteins
Prepare urea from the
breakdown of amino
acids
Store Vitamins A, D,
and B complex
Test Your Gray Matter
The middle segment of the small intestine is called
the: Jejunum
What feather shaped organ secreted enzymes to
digest food? Pancreas
A small muscular sac that secretes bile and is
located in the right upper quadrant of the
Gallbladder
abdominal cavity is the:
Another word or synonym for the throat is: Pharynx
The part of the body that separates the mouth
from the nasal cavity is the: Hard Palate
The external opening of the large intestines is the :
Food moves from the pharynx to the stomach by
passing through the: Esophagus
Anus
The gland which secrete a watery
fluid in the mouth are called: Salivary gland
The organ that is divided into 3
sections and is approximately 20 feet
long is the : Small intestine
The blind sac attached to the cecum
and having no known function is
known as the: Appendix
The purpose of maltase, sucrase and
lactase is to: Break down simple sugars
The physical breakdown of food begins in
the: Mouth
The muscular organ that aids with chewing
and swallowing of food is the Tongue
What is the purpose of peristalsis? To push food forward
Which enzyme causes the INITIAL
chemical breakdown of carbohydrates? Ptyalin
A semisolid mixture of food and gastric
juice in the stomach is called: Chyme
Which part of the small intestine receives
bile form the gallbladder and liver? Duodenum
The muscle between the esophagus
and the stomach that keeps food from
going back up into the esophagus is
the: Cardiac sphincter
What organ detoxifies alcohol? Liver
The process in which broken down
food moves form the intestine into the
blood and lymph is called: Absorption
The wavelike motions of the intestines
that move food along the digestive
tract are called: Peristalsis
That’s All…..