Anatomy for Nutrition’s Sake
Chapter 3
The Digestive System

The gastrointestinal tract
Layers of the GI tract wall
 Mouth
 Esophagus
 Stomach
 Small intestine
 Large intestine (colon)

The Gastrointestinal Tract

Mouth
Chewing
 Saliva
 Swallowing


Esophagus

Passes bolus from mouth to stomach
The Gastrointestinal Tract

Stomach
Stores food
 Forms chyme (semi-liquid blend of food &
gastric secretions)
 Controls movement of chyme into small
intestine

The Gastrointestinal Tract

Small intestine
Primary organ of digestion & absorption
 Adds bile & enzymes to chyme to complete
digestion
 Absorbs nutrients into blood & lymph

The Gastrointestinal Tract

Large intestine
Absorbs dissolved minerals & water
 Eliminates waste products
 Harbors bacteria

The Digestive System

Accessory organs of digestion

Liver


Gallbladder


Makes bile
Stores & releases bile
Pancreas

Makes bicarbonate & digestive enzymes
(exocrine functions)
Metabolism

Breaking down nutrients for energy
Carbohydrate to glucose (catabolic) &
glycogen (anabolic)
 Protein to amino acids (catabolic) & then to
glucose, fat, or protein (anabolic)
 Fat/fat-soluble nutrients packaged in
chylomicrons, then other lipoproteins

Other Systems
Bones
 Muscles
 Nerves
 Lungs
 Reproductive organs

Let Foods Be Your Medicine

Functional foods
Visit the local grocery store
 Follow the research
 Incorporate functional foods into your daily
diet

Do Your Genes Affect What’s in
Your Jeans?
Ancient ancestors’ eating habits vs. the
way we eat today
 How ancient habits & eating patterns
affect likelihood of developing chronic
diseases
 Foods found in modern diets that were
generally unavailable to our prehistoric
ancestors

Gut Feelings--Common
Digestive Problems

Hiccups
Causes
 Potential “cures”

Gut Feelings--Common
Digestive Problems

Constipation
Definition - bowl movements ≤3 times per
week
 Causes
 Treatment

Diet: 20-35 g/fiber per day
 Lifestyle changes
 Laxatives

Gut Feelings--Common
Digestive Problems

Hemorrhoids
Complication of constipation
 Signs & symptoms
 Treatment

Tub baths
 Hemorrhoidal cream or suppository
