Digestion Functions
Taelar Shelton, MS, ATC, AT/L
Mouth
Food is acted upon physically and
chemically
 Papillae contain taste buds and are
located on the tongue
 32 teeth in mouth
 Tongue positions food toward basic of
mouth to swallow

Salivary Glands
Parotid- secreation of saliva
 Sublingual- amylase is a digestive enzyme
found in saliva
 Submandibular- provides digestive enzyme
(amylase) to moisten food to make it
easier to swallow


Enzymes help begin the digestion of
carbohydrates
Pharynx

Mouth to esophagus
Trachea

Respiratory system functions
Esophagus
About 10-12 inches long
 Peristalsis
 Heartburn in the burning sensation due
to irritation caused by stomach aced
backing up into the esophagus

Cardiac Sphincter
Allows food to enter the stomach
 Prevent stomach contents from backing
up into esophagus

Stomach
Temporary storage of food
 Mix and churns food
 Secretes gastric juices for digestion
(mucus, hydrochloric acid, enzymes)
 The major role of the stomach is not
digestion
 Gastric ulcers can be caused by HCL
irritation of the stomach lining

Pyloric Sphincter
Allows small amounts of food to
intermittantly enter the duodenum
 “ski lift operator”

Duodenum
Can develop ulcers
 Length of all 3 portions of small intestines
is about 20 feet
 Completes charbohydrate and protein
digestion
 Villi help increase surface area

Jejunum and Ilium
Villi helps absorb products of digestion
 Completes digestion of protein, fats and
carbohydrates
 Absorbs the end products of digestion
into blood stream
 Carbohydrates – glucose
 Fats – fatty acid – glycerol
 Proteins – ammino acids

Iliocecal Sphincter

Regulates the passing of material from the
small intestine to large intestine
Cecum

Collects waste products from digestive
process
Appendix
Can become inlammed
 May need to be surgically removed

Colon
Ascending Colon- to absorb excess water
from waste material
 Transverse Colon- peristalsis
 Descending Colon- about 5-6 feet
 Sigmoid Colon- cleans large intestine,
prevents excess absorbtion of water

Rectum

Collects and eliminates waste
Gall Bladder
Collects and secretes bile
 Contracts to release bile into duodenum

Liver
Produces bile- helps digest fats
 Converts glucose into glycogen
 Acts on chyme as it passes through the
duodenum

Pancreas

Secreates pancreatic juices to act on
carbs, fats and proteins