UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO – SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY

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Module 11
THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

I. Introduction
This module presents the digestive system. The food we eat contains a variety of nutrients, which
are used for building new body tissues and repairing damaged tissues. Food is also vital to life because it
is our only source of chemical energy. However, most of the food we eat consists of molecules that are
too large to be used by body cells. Therefore, foods must be broken down into molecules that are small
enough to enter body cells for their use. This is accomplished by the digestive system, which forms an
extensive surface area in contact with the external environment, and is closely associated with the
cardiovascular system. The combination of extensive environmental exposure and close association with
blood vessels is essential for processing the food that we eat (Tortora & Derrickson, 2017).
.
II. Learning Outcomes
Successful students will typically be able to:
1. recall the parts and functions of the digestive system.
2. engage in interpreting knowledge from the topics, clarifying knowledge, self- insight, and exploring
learning.
3. practice precautionary measures to avoid digestive system diseases.
4. apply the theories learned to specific field of specialization and daily living especially exercise needs.

Learning Objectives
On completion of the module, the learner should be able to:
1. identify and describe the parts of the digestive system;
2. describe the movements and secretions of the digestive system;
3. relate the movements and secretions of the digestive system to metabolism; and
4. decribe the different enzymes of the digestive system and their functions

III. Content (Tortora & Derrickson, 2017)

LECTURE
A. Learning and Teaching Strategies and the Appropriate Learner Support
1. Discussion

I. INTRODUCTION
A. Food contains substances and energy the body needs to construct all cell components. The
food must be broken down through digestion to molecular size before it can be absorbed by
the digestive system and used by the cells.
B. The organs that collectively perform these functions compose the digestive system.
C. The medical professions that study the structures, functions, and disorders of the digestive
tract are gastroenterology for the upper end of the system and proctology for the lower end.

II. OVERVIEW OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

A. Organs of the digestive system are shown in Figure 24.1.
B. The gastrointestinal tract is the tube open at both ends for the transit of food during
processing. The functional segments of the GI tract include the mouth, esophagus, stomach,
small intestine, and large intestine.
C. The accessory structures that contribute to the food processing include the teeth, tongue,
salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
D. Digestion includes six basic processes.
a. Ingestion is taking food into the mouth (eating).

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b. Secretion is the release, by cells within the walls of the GI tract and accessory
organs, of water, acid, buffers, and enzymes into the lumen of the tract.
c. Mixing and propulsion result from the alternating contraction and relaxation of the
smooth muscles within the walls of the GI tract.
d. Digestion (Figure 24.2)
a. Mechanical digestion consists of movements of the GI tract that aid chemical
digestion.
b. Chemical digestion is a series of catabolic (hydrolysis) reactions that break
down large carbohydrate, lipid, and protein food molecules into smaller
molecules that are usable by body cells.
e. Absorption is the passage of end products of digestion from the GI tract into blood
or lymph for distribution to cells.
f. Defecation is emptying of the rectum, eliminating indigestible substances from the
GI tract.

III. NEURAL INNERVATION OF THE GI TRACT

A. The Enteric Nervous system
1. The submucosal plexus (plexus of Meissner) is one network of neurons (Figure
24.4)
a. It regulates movements of the mucosa, vasoconstriction of blood vessels,
and innervates secretory cells of mucosal glands.
2. The myenteric plexus (plexus of Auerbach) consists of fibers from both divisions of
the ANS.
a. This plexus mostly controls GI tract motility.
B. Autonomic Nervous System
1. In general, stimulation of the parasympathetic nerves that innervate the GI tract
causes an increase in GI secretion and motility by increasing the activity of ENS
neurons
2. In general, the sympathetic nerves that supply the GI tract cause a decrease in GI
secretion and motility by inhibiting the neurons of the ENS
C. Gastrointestinal reflex pathways
1. The gastrointestinal reflexes, made up of the plexuses, regulate GI secretion and
motility in response to stimuli within the GI tract.

IV. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

A. Mouth
Mechanical and Chemical Digestion in the Mouth
1. Through mastication (chewing), food is mixed with saliva and shaped into a bolus
that is easily swallowed.
2. The enzyme salivary amylase converts polysaccharides (starches) to disaccharides
(maltose). This is the only chemical digestion that occurs in the mouth.
3. Table 24.1 summarizes digestion in the mouth.

DEGLUTITION
Deglutition, or swallowing, moves a bolus from the mouth to the stomach. It is facilitated by
saliva and mucus and involves the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus (Figure 24.11).
1. Deglutition consists of a voluntary state (voluntary), pharyngeal stage (involuntary),
and esophageal stage (involuntary).
2. Receptors in the oropharynx stimulate the deglutition center in the medulla and the
lower pons of the brain stem.

B. Stomach
Mechanical and Chemical Digestion in the Stomach
1. Mechanical digestion consists of peristaltic movements called mixing waves.
2. Chemical Digestion

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a. Chemical digestion consists mostly of the conversion of proteins into

peptides by pepsin, an enzyme that is most effective in the very acidic
environment (pH 2) of the stomach. The acid (HCl) is secreted by the
stomach’s parietal cells (Figure 24.14).
b. Gastric lipase splits certain molecules in butterfat of milk into fatty acids and
monoglycerides, and has a limited role in the adult stomach.
3. The stomach wall is impermeable to most substances; however, some water,
electrolytes, certain drugs (especially aspirin), and alcohol can be absorbed through
the stomach lining.
4. Gastric emptying is the periodic release of chyme from the stomach into the
duodenum.
5. Most food leaves the stomach 2-6 hours after ingestion. Carbohydrates leave
earliest, followed by proteins and then fats.
6. Vomiting is the forcible expulsion of the contents of the upper GI tract (stomach and
sometimes duodenum) through the mouth. Prolonged vomiting, especially in infants
and elderly people, can be serious because the loss of gastric juice and fluids can
lead to disturbances in fluid and acid-base balance. (Clinical Connection)
7. Table 24.3 summarizes the digestive activities of the stomach.

C. Pancreas
Composition and Functions of Pancreatic Juice
1. Pancreatic juice contains enzymes that digest starch (pancreatic amylase), proteins
(trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase), fats (pancreatic lipase), and nucleic
acids (ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease).
2. It also contains sodium bicarbonate which converts the acid stomach contents to a
slightly alkaline pH (7.1-8.2), halting stomach pepsin activity and promoting activity
of pancreatic enzymes.
3. Pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis have large effects in terms of the function of the
pancreas (Clinical Connection).

D. Liver and Gallbladder

Functions
1. Bile is partially an excretory product (containing components of worn-out red blood
cells) and partially a digestive secretion.
2. Bile’s contribution to digestion is the emulsification of triglycerides.
3. The liver also functions in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism; removal of
drugs and hormones from the blood; excretion of bilirubin; synthesis of bile salts;
storage of vitamins and minerals; phagocytosis; and activation of vitamin D.
4. The fusion of individual crystals of cholesterol is the beginning of 95% of all
gallstones. Gallstones can cause obstruction to the outflow of bile in any portion of
the duct system. Treatment of gallstones consists of using gallstone-dissolving
drugs, lithotripsy, or surgery (Clinical Connection).

E. Small Intestine
Role of Intestinal Juice and Brush Border Enzymes
1. Intestinal juice provides a vehicle for absorption of substances from chyme as they
come in contact with the villi.
2. Some intestinal enzymes (brush border enzymes) break down foods inside
epithelial cells of the mucosa on the surfaces of their microvilli.
3. Some digestion also occurs in the lumen of the small intestine.

Mechanical Digestion in the Small Intestine

1. Segmentation, the major movement of the small intestine, is a localized contraction
in areas containing food.
2. Peristalsis propels the chyme onward through the intestinal tract.

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Chemical Digestion in the Small Intestine

1. Digestion of Carbohydrates
a. Carbohydrates are broken down into monosaccharides for absorption.
1) Intestinal enzymes break down starches into maltose, maltotriose, and
alpha-dextrins (pancreatic amylase); alpha-dextrins into glucose
(alphadestrinase); maltose to glucose (maltase); sucrose to glucose
and fructose (sucrase); and lactose to glucose and galactose (lactase).
2) In some individuals, there is a failure of the intestinal mucosal cells to
produce the enzyme lactase. This results in lactose intolerance, the
inability to digest the sugar lactose found in milk and other dairy
products. It may be a temporary or long-lasting condition and is
characterized by diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps after
the ingestion of dairy products (Clinical Connection).
2. Digestion of proteins
a. Proteins are converted to peptides by trypsin and chymotrypsin. Also,
enzymes break peptide bonds that attach terminal amino acids to carboxyl
ends of peptides (carboxypeptidases) and peptide bonds that attach terminal
amino acids to amino ends of peptides (aminopeptidases).
b. Finally, enzymes split dipeptides to amino acids (dipeptidase).
3. Digestion of lipids
a. Most lipid digestion in an adult occurs in the small intestine.
b. Bile salts break the globules of triglycerides (fats) into droplets, a process
called emulsification.
c. Pancreatic lipase, due to the increase exposed surface area of the droplets,
can hydrolyze more triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides.
4. Digestion of Nucleic Acids
a. Nucleic acids are broken down into nucleotides for absorption.
5. A summary of digestive enzymes in terms of source, substrate acted on, and
product is presented in Table 24.4.

Absorption in the Small Intestine

1. Absorption is the passage of the end products of digestion from the GI tract into
blood or lymph and occurs by diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active
transport.
2. Absorption of Monosaccharides
a. Essentially all carbohydrates are absorbed as monosaccharides.
b. They are absorbed into blood capillaries (Figure 24.22a).
3. Absorption of Amino Acids, Dipeptides, and Tripeptides
a. Most proteins are absorbed as amino acids by active transport processes.
b. They are absorbed into the blood capillaries in the villus (Figure 24.22).
4. Absorption of Lipids and bile salts
a. Dietary lipids are all absorbed by simple diffusion.
b. Long-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides are absorbed as part of micelles,
resynthesized to triglycerides, and formed into protein-coated spherical
masses called chylomicrons.
1) Chylomicrons are taken up by the lacteal of a villus.
2) From the lacteal they enter the lymphatic system and then pass into the
cardiovascular system, finally reaching the liver or adipose tissue
(Figure 24.22a).
c. The plasma lipids—fatty acids, triglycerides, cholesterol—are insoluble in
water and body fluids.
1) In order to be transported in blood and utilized by body cells, the lipids
must be combined with protein transporters called lipoproteins to make
them soluble.
2) The combination of lipid and protein is referred to as a lipoprotein.

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5. Absorption of Electrolytes
a. Many of the electrolytes absorbed by the small intestine come from
gastrointestinal secretions and some are part of digested foods and liquids.
b. Active transport mechanisms are primarily used for electrolyte absorption.
6. Absorption of Vitamins
a. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are included along with ingested dietary
lipids in micelles and are absorbed by simple diffusion.
b. Water-soluble vitamins (B and C) are absorbed by simple diffusion.
7. Absorption of Water
a. Figure 24.23 reviews the fluid input to the GI tract.
b. All water absorption in the GI tract occurs by osmosis from the lumen of the
intestines through epithelial cells and into blood capillaries.
c. The absorption of water depends on the absorption of electrolytes and
nutrients to maintain an osmotic balance with the blood.
d. Alcohol begins to be absorbed in the stomach. The longer alcohol remains in
the stomach, the slower it is absorbed. Blood alcohol levels rise more slowly
when fat rich foods are consumed with alcohol (Clinical Connection).
8. Table 24.4 summarizes the digestive and absorptive activities of the small intestine
and associated accessory structures.

F. Large Intestine
Mechanical movements of the large intestine include haustral churning, peristalsis, and mass
peristalsis.
Chemical Digestion in the Large Intestine
1. The last stages of chemical digestion occur in the large intestine through bacterial,
rather than enzymatic, action. Substances are further broken down and some
vitamins are synthesized by bacterial action and absorbed by the large intestine.
Absorption and Feces Formation in the Large Intestine
2. The large intestine absorbs water, electrolytes, and some vitamins.
3. Feces consist of water, inorganic salts, sloughed-off epithelial cells, bacteria,
products of bacterial decomposition, and undigested parts of food.
4. Although most water absorption occurs in the small intestine, the large intestine
absorbs enough to make it an important organ in maintaining the body’s water
balance.
5. The main diagnostic value of the occult blood test is to screen for colorectal cancer
(Clinical Connection).
Defecation Reflex
1. The elimination of feces from the rectum is called defecation.
2. Defecation is a reflex action aided by voluntary contractions of the diaphragm and
abdominal muscles. The external anal sphincter can be voluntarily controlled
(except in infants) to allow or postpone defecation.
3. Diarrhea refers to frequent defecation of liquid feces. It is caused by increased
motility of the intestine and can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
4. Constipation refers to infrequent or difficult defecation and is caused by decreased
motility of the intestines, in which feces remain in the colon for prolonged periods of
time. It may be alleviated by increasing one’s intake of dietary fiber and fluids.
5. Dietary fiber may be classified as insoluble (does not dissolve in water) and soluble
(dissolves in water). Both types affect the speed of food passage through the GI
tract and may produce a number of benefits in the GI tract as well as elsewhere in
the body. There is evidence that insoluble fiber may help protect against colon
cancer and that soluble fiber may help lower blood cholesterol level. (Clinical
Connection)
6. Table 24.6 summarizes the digestive activities in the large intestine while Table 24.7
summarizes the organs of the digestive system and their functions.

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V. PHASES OF DIGESTION
A. Digestion occurs in three overlapping phases: cephalic (reflex), gastric, and intestinal.
1. Cephalic Phase
a. The cephalic phase consists of reflexes initiated by sensory receptors in the
head.
b. The cephalic phase stimulates gastric secretion and motility.
2. Gastric Phase
a. The gastric phase can be regulated by neural and hormonal mechanisms.
b. Neural regulation begins when the stomach walls are distended or when pH
increases because proteins have entered the stomach and buffered some of
the stomach acid, the stretch receptors and chemoreceptors are activated
(Figure 24.26), resulting in waves of peristalsis and continual flow of gastric
juice.
c. Hormonal negative feedback also regulates gastric secretions during the
gastric phase.
1) Chemoreceptors and stretch receptors stimulate the ANS to release
acetylcholine, which stimulates the release of gastrin by G cells.
2) Gastrin stimulates growth of the gastric glands and secretion of large
amounts of gastric juice. It also strengthens contraction of the lower
esophageal sphincter, increases motility of the stomach, and relaxes
the pyloric and ileocecal sphincters.
3. Intestinal Phase
a. The intestinal phase begins when partially digested food enters the small
intestine.
b. Neural regulation
1) Neural regulation is stimulated by distension of the duodenum.
2) Distension triggers the enterogastric reflex which reduces gastric
emptying.
c. Hormonal regulation
1) Secretin promotes secretion of bicarbonate ions into pancreatic juice
and bile. It inhibits secretion of gastric juice and promotes normal
growth and maintenance of the pancreas. It enhances the effects of
CCK. Overall, it causes buffering of acid in chyme.
2) CCK stimulates secretion of pancreatic juice rich in digestive enzymes
and ejection of bile into the duodenum. It also slows gastric emptying.
4. Other Hormones of the Digestive System
a. There are other hormones secreted by and having effects on the GI tract.
They include motilin, substance P, bombesin, vasoactive intestinal
polypeptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, and somatostatin.
b. Table 24.8 summarizes the activities of the digestive hormones

VI. DISORDERS: HOMEOSTATIC IMBALANCES

A. Dental caries, or tooth decay, is started by acid-producing bacteria that reside in dental
plaque, act on sugars, and demineralize tooth enamel and dentin with acid.
B. Periodontal diseases are characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the gingivae
(gums), alveolar bone, periodontal ligament, and cementum.
C. Peptic ulcers are crater-like lesions that develop in the mucous membrane of the GI tract in
areas exposed to gastric juice. The most common complication of peptic ulcers is bleeding,
which can lead to anemia if blood loss is serious. The three well-defined causes of peptic
ulcer disease (PUD) are the bacterium Helicobacter pylori; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, such as aspirin; and hypersecretion of HCl.
D. Diverticula are saclike outpouchings of the wall of the colon in places where the muscularis
has become weak. The development of diverticula is called diverticulosis. Inflammation within
the diverticula, known as diverticulitis, may cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and either
constipation or an increased frequency of defecation. High fiber diets help relieve the
symptoms.
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E. Tumors, both benign and malignant, may occur in any portion of the GI tract. One of the most
common and deadly malignancies is colorectal cancer, second only to lung cancer in males
and third after lung and breast cancer in females. Screening for colorectal cancer includes
fecal occult blood testing, digital rectal examination, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium
enema.
F. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can be caused by viruses, drugs, and chemicals,
including alcohol.
1. Hepatitis A (infectious hepatitis) is caused by hepatitis A virus and is spread by fecal
contamination. It does not cause lasting liver damage.
2. Hepatitis B is caused by hepatitis B virus and is spread primarily by sexual contact
and contaminated syringes and transfusion equipment. It can produce cirrhosis and
possibly cancer of the liver. Vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis B infection.
3. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is clinically similar to hepatitis B and
is often spread by blood transfusions. It can cause cirrhosis and possibly liver
cancer.
4. Hepatitis D is caused by hepatitis D virus. It is transmitted like hepatitis B and, in
fact, a person must be coinfected with hepatitis B before contracting hepatitis D. It
results in severe liver damage and has a high fatality rate.
5. Hepatitis E is caused by hepatitis E virus and is spread like hepatitis A. It is
responsible for a very high mortality rate in pregnant women.
G. Anorexia nervosa is a chronic disorder characterized by self-induced weight loss, body-image
and other perceptual disturbances, and physiologic changes that result from nutritional
depletion. The disorder is found predominantly in young, single females and may be
inherited. Individuals may become emaciated and may ultimately die of starvation or one of
its complications. Treatment consists of psychotherapy and dietary regulation.

2. Assessment: Homework

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LABORATORY
A. Learning and Teaching Strategies and the Appropriate Learner Support
1. Discussion

I. LAYERS OF THE GI TRACT

A. The basic arrangement of layers in the gastrointestinal tract from the inside outward includes
the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa (visceral peritoneum) (Figure 24.3).
B. The mucosa consists of an epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa.
1. The epithelium consists of a protective layer of non-keratinized stratified squamous
cells in the mouth, pharynx and esophagus and simple columnar cells for secretion
and absorption in the stomach and intestines. Other cells include mucus secreting
cells as well as some enteroendocrine cells that secrete hormones that help
regulate the digestive process.
2. The lamina propria consists of three components 1) loose connective tissue that
adheres the epithelium to the lower layers, the system of blood and lymph vessels
through which absorbed food is transported, 2) nerves, and 3) sensors.
a. The lymph system is part of the mucosa-associated lymph tissues (MALT)
that monitor and produce an immune response to pathogens passing with
food through the GI tract.
b. It is estimated that there are as many immune cells associated with the GI
tract as in all the rest of the body.
3. The muscularis mucosa causes local folding of the mucosal layer to increase
surface area for digestion and absorption.
C. The submucosa
1. The submucosa consists of aerolar connective tissue. It is highly vascular, contains
a part of the submucosal plexus (plexus of Meissner), and contains glands and
lymphatic tissue.
D. Muscularis
1. The muscularis of the mouth, pharynx, and superior part of the esophagus contains
skeletal muscle that produces voluntary swallowing. Skeletal muscle also forms the
external anal sphincter.
2. Through the rest of the tract, the muscularis consists of smooth muscle in an inner
sheet of circular fibers and an outer sheet of longitudinal fibers.
3. The serosa is the superficial layer of those portions of the GI tract that are
suspended in the abdominoplevic cavity.
E. Serosa
1. Inferior to the diaphragm, the serosa is also called the visceral peritoneum.

II. PERITONEUM
A. The peritoneum is the largest serous membrane of the body.
1. The parietal peritoneum lines the wall of the abdominal cavity.
2. The visceral peritoneum covers some of the organs and constitutes their serosa.
3. The potential space between the parietal and visceral portions of the peritoneum is
called the peritoneal cavity and contains serous fluid (Figure 24.5a).
B. Some organs, such as the kidneys and pancreas, lie on the posterior abdominal wall behind
the peritoneum and are called retroperitoneal.
C. The peritoneum contains large folds that weave between the viscera, functioning to support
organs and to contain blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves of the abdominal organs.
D. Extensions of the peritoneum include the mesentery, meoscolon, falciform ligament, lesser
omentum, and greater omentum (Figure 24.5).
1. Peritonitis is an acute inflammation of the peritoneum. (Clinical Connection)

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ANATOMY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

III. MOUTH
A. Introduction
1. The mouth (oral or buccal cavity) is formed by the cheeks, hard and soft palate, lips,
and tongue (Figure 24.6).
2. The vestibule of the oral cavity is bounded externally by the cheeks and lips and
internally by the gums and teeth.
3. The oral cavity proper is a space that extends from the gums and teeth to the
fauces, the opening between the oral cavity and the pharynx or throat.
B. Salivary Glands
1. The major portion of saliva is secreted by the salivary glands, which lie outside the
mouth and pour their contents into ducts that empty into the oral cavity; the
remainder of saliva comes from buccal glands in the mucous membrane that lines
the mouth.
2. There are three pairs of salivary glands: parotid, submandibular (submaxillary), and
sublingual glands (Figure 24.7a).
3. Saliva lubricates and dissolves food and starts the chemical digestion of
carbohydrates. It also functions to keep the mucous membranes of the mouth and
throat moist.
4. Chemically, saliva is 99.5% water and 0.5% solutes such as salts, dissolved gases,
various organic substances, and enzymes.
5. Salivation is entirely under nervous control.
6. Mumps is an inflammation and enlargement of the parotid salivary glands caused
by infection with the mumps virus (myxovirus). Symptoms include fever, malaise,
pain, and swelling of one or both glands. If mumps is contracted by a male past
puberty, it is possible to experience inflammation of the testes and, occasionally,
sterility. (Clinical Connection)
C. Tongue
1. The tongue, together with its associated muscle, forms the floor of the oral cavity. It
is composed of skeletal muscle covered with mucous membrane.
2. Extrinsic and intrinsic muscles permit the tongue to be moved to participate in food
manipulation for chewing and swallowing and in speech.
3. The lingual frenulum is a fold of mucous membrane that attaches to the midline of
the undersurface of the tongue.
4. The upper surface and sides of the tongue are covered with papillae. Some papillae
contain taste buds.
5. On the dorsum of the tongue are glands that secrete lingual lipase, which initiates
digestion of triglycerides.
D. Teeth
1. The teeth project into the mouth and are adapted for mechanical digestion (Figure
24.8).
2. A typical tooth consists of three principal portions: crown, root, and neck.
3. Teeth are composed primarily of dentin, a calcified connective tissue that gives the
tooth its basic shape and rigidity; the dentin of the crown is covered by enamel, the
hardest substance in the body, which protects the tooth from the wear of chewing.
4. The dentin of the root is covered by cementum, another bone-like substance, which
attaches the root to the periodontal ligament (the fibrous connective tissue lining of
the tooth sockets in the mandible and maxillae).
a. The dentin encloses the pulp cavity in the crown and the root canals in the
root.
5. The branch of dentistry that is concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of diseases that affect the pulp, root, periodontal ligament, and alveolar
bone is known as endodontics. Orthodontics is a dental branch concerned with the
prevention and correction of abnormally aligned teeth. Periodontics is a dental
branch concerned with the treatment of abnormal conditions of tissues immediately
around the teeth.
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6. There are two dentitions, or sets of teeth, in an individual’s lifetime: deciduous

(primary), milk teeth, or baby teeth; and permanent (secondary) teeth (Figure
24.9a).
7. There are four different types of teeth based on shape: incisors (used to cut food),
cuspids or canines (used to tear or shred food), premolars or bicuspids (absent in
the deciduous dentition and used for crushing and grinding food), and molars (also
used for crushing and grinding food).
8. In root canal therapy all traces of pulp tissue are removed from the pulp cavity and
root canal of a badly diseased tooth (Clinical Connection).

IV. PHARYNX
A. The pharynx is a funnel-shaped tube that extends from the internal nares to the esophagus
posteriorly and the larynx anteriorly (Figure 23.2).
1. It is composed of skeletal muscle and lined by mucous membrane.
2. The nasopharynx functions in respiration only, whereas the oropharynx and
laryngopharynx have digestive as well as respiratory functions.

V. ESOPHAGUS
A. The esophagus is a collapsible, muscular tube that lies behind the trachea and connects the
pharynx to the stomach (Figure 24.1).
B. Histology of the Esophagus
1. The wall of the esophagus contains mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis layers.
2. The outer layer is called the adventitia rather than the serosa due to structural
differences (Figure 24.10).
C. Physiology of the Esophagus
1. The esophagus contains an upper and a lower esophageal sphincter.
2. During the esophageal stage of swallowing (Figure 24.10) progressive contractions
of the muscularis push the bolus onward. There, propulsive contractions are termed
peristalsis.
3. Table 24.2 summarizes the digestion related activities of the pharynx and
esophagus.
4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails
to close adequately after food has entered the stomach, resulting in stomach
contents refluxing into the inferior portion of the esophagus. HCl from the stomach
contents irritates the esophageal wall resulting in heartburn. (Clinical Connection)

VI. STOMACH
A. Introduction
1. The stomach is a J-shaped enlargement of the GI tract that begins at the bottom of
the esophagus and ends at the pyloric sphincter (Figure 24.12).
2. It serves as a mixing and holding area for food, begins the digestion of proteins, and
continues the digestion of triglycerides, converting a bolus to a liquid called chyme.
It can also absorb some substances.
B. Anatomy of the Stomach
1. The gross anatomical subdivisions of the stomach include the cardia, fundus, body,
and pyloris (Figure 24.12).
2. When the stomach is empty, the mucosa lies in folds called rugae.
3. Pylorospasm and pyloric stenosis are two abnormalities of the pyloric sphincter that
can occur in newborns. Both functionally block or partially block the exit of food from
the stomach into the duodenum and must be treated with drugs or surgery (Clinical
Connection).
C. Histology of the Stomach
1. The surface of the mucosa is a layer of simple columnar epithelial cells called
mucous surface cells (Figure 24.13).
2. Epithelial cells extend down into the lamina propria, forming gastric pits and gastric
glands.
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3. The gastric glands consist of three types of exocrine glands: mucous neck cells
(secrete mucus), chief or zymogenic cells (secrete pepsinogen and gastric lipase),
and parietal or oxyntic cells (secrete HCl).
4. Gastric glands also contain enteroendocrine cells, which are hormone producing
cells. G cells secrete the hormone gastrin into the bloodstream.
5. The submucosa is composed of areolar connective tissue.
6. The muscularis has three layers of smooth muscle: longitudinal, circular, and an
inner oblique layer.
7. The serosa is a part of the visceral peritoneum.
8. At the lesser curvature, the visceral peritoneum becomes the lesser omentum.
9. At the greater curvature, the visceral peritoneum becomes the greater omentum.

VII. PANCREAS
A. Anatomy of the Pancreas
1. The pancreas is divided into a head, body, and tail and is connected to the
duodenum via the pancreatic duct (duct of Wirsung) and accessory duct (duct of
Santorini) (Figure 24.16a).
B. Histology of the Pancreas
1. Pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans) secrete hormones and acini secrete a
mixture of fluid and digestive enzymes called pancreatic juice. (Figure 18.17b,c)

VIII. LIVER AND GALLBLADDER

A. The liver is the heaviest gland in the body and the second largest organ in the body after the
skin.
B. Anatomy of the Liver and Gallbladder
1. The liver is divisible into left and right lobes, separated by the falciform ligament.
The caudate and quadrate lobes are associated with the right lobe (Figure 24.16).
2. The gallbladder is a sac located in a depression on the posterior surface of the liver
(Figure 24.16).
C. Histology of the Liver and Gallbladder
1. The lobes of the liver are made up of lobules that contain hepatic cells (liver cells or
hepatocytes), sinusoids, stellate reticuloendothelial (Kupffer’s) cells, and a central
vein (Figure 24.17a-c).
2. The mucosa of the gallbladder is simple columnar epithelium arranged in rugae.
There is no submucosa. The smooth muscle of the muscularis ejects bile into the
cystic duct. The outer layer is the visceral peritoneum. The gallbladder stores and
concentrates bile until it is needed in the small intestine.
D. Jaundice is a yellowish coloration of the sclera, skin, and mucous membranes due to a
buildup of bilirubin. The main categories of jaundice are prehepatic, hepatic, and
enterohepatic (Clinical Connection).
E. Blood Supply of the Liver
1. The liver receives a double supply of blood from the hepatic artery and the hepatic
portal vein. All blood eventually leaves the liver via the hepatic vein (Figure 24.18).
2. Hepatic cells (hepatocytes) produce bile that is transported by a duct system to the
gallbladder for concentration and temporary storage.
3. Liver function tests (Clinical connection)

IX. SMALL INTESTINE

A. Introduction
1. The major events of digestion and absorption occur in the small intestine.
2. The small intestine extends from the pyloric sphincter to the ileocecal sphincter.
B. Anatomy of the Small Intestine
1. The small intestine is divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (Figure 24.19).
2. Projections called circular folds, or plicae circularies, are permanent ridges in the
mucosa that enhance absorption by increasing surface area and causing chyme to
spiral as it passes through the small intestine (Figure 24.19).
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C. Histology of the Small Intestine

1. The mucosa forms fingerlike villi, which increase the surface area of the epithelium
available for absorption and digestion (Figure 24.21).
a. Embedded in the villus is a lacteal (lymphatic capillary) for fat absorption.
b. The cells of the mucosal epithelium include absorptive cells, goblet cells,
enteroendocrine cells, and Paneth cells.
c. The free surface of the absorptive cells features microvilli, which increase the
surface area (Figure 24.21). They form the brush border which also contains
several enzymes.
d. The mucosa contains many cavities lined by glandular epithelium. These
cavities form the intestinal glands (crypts of Lieberkuhn).
2. The submucosa of the duodenum contains duodenal (Brunner’s) glands, which
secrete an alkaline mucus that helps neutralize gastric acid in chyme. The
submucosa of the ileum contains aggregated lymphatic nodules (Peyer’s patches)
(Figure 24.21).

X. LARGE INTESTINE
A. Anatomy of the Large Intestine
1. The large intestine (colon) extends from the ileocecal sphincter to the anus.
2. Its subdivisions include the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal (Figure 24.24).
3. Hanging inferior to the cecum is the appendix.
a. Inflammation of the appendix is called appendicitis. (Clinical Connection)
b. A ruptured appendix can result in gangrene or peritonitis, which can be life-
threatening conditions.
4. The colon is divided into the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid
portions.
B. Histology of the Large Intestine
1. The mucosa of the large intestine has no villi or permanent circular folds. It does
have a simple columnar epithelium with numerous globlet cells (Figure 24.25a).
2. The muscularis contains specialized portions of the longitudinal muscles called
taeniae coli, which contract and gather the colon into a series of pouches called
haustra (Figure 24.25a).
3. Polyps of the colon are usually slow growing benign growths but are often
removed, as they may become cancerous (Clinical Connection).

2. Assessment: Homework

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Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________

Schedule & Section: _________________
Facilitator: _________________________ Score: ___________

ACTIVITY 11

Materials:

Reference materials

Procedures:
1. Trace the pathway of food by identifying the parts of the digestive tract in order. Identify
also the Accessory organs.

Write answers here:

Digestive tract
1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________
11. _________________________
12. _________________________
13. _________________________
14. _________________________
15. _________________________
Accessory Organs
16. _________________________
17. _________________________
18. _________________________
(Tortora & Derrickson, 2017) 19. _________________________
20. _________________________
2. Identify the layers of the gastrointestinal tract. 21. _________________________
22. _________________________

#2

A. _________________________
B. _________________________
C. _________________________
D. _________________________
E. _________________________

(Tortora & Derrickson, 2017)

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3. Identify the Layers of the Peritoneum.

Write answers here:

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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3. Identify the Layers of the Peritoneum, continued

Write answers here:

11. _________________________
12. _________________________
13. _________________________
14. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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4. Identify the structures of the Mouth.

Write answers here:

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________
11. _________________________
12. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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5. Identify the structures of the Pharynx.

Write answers here:

#5

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________

#6

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
(Allen & Harper, 2011) 5. _________________________
6. _________________________
6. Identify the structures of the Esophagus and Stomach 7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________
11. _________________________
12. _________________________
13. _________________________
14. _________________________
15. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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7. Identify the structures of the Small and Large Intestines.

Write answers here:

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________
11. _________________________
12. _________________________
13. _________________________
14. _________________________
15. _________________________
16. _________________________
(Allen & Harper, 2011) 17. _________________________
18. _________________________
19. _________________________
20. _________________________
21. _________________________
22. _________________________
23. _________________________
24. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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7. Identify the structures of the Small and Large Intestines, continued.

Write answers here:

25. _________________________
26. _________________________
27. _________________________
28. _________________________
29. _________________________
30. _________________________

#8

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________
11. _________________________
12. _________________________
13. _________________________
(Allen & Harper, 2011) 14. _________________________
15. _________________________
16. _________________________
17. _________________________
18. _________________________
19. _________________________
20. _________________________
21. _________________________
22. _________________________
23. _________________________
24. _________________________
25. _________________________
26. _________________________

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8. Identify the structures of the Teeth, Tongue, and Salivary Glands

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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9. Identify the structures of the Pancreas, Liver, and Gallbladder

Write answers here:

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________
10. _________________________
11. _________________________
12. _________________________
13. _________________________
14. _________________________
15. _________________________
16. _________________________
17. _________________________
18. _________________________
19. _________________________
20. _________________________
21. _________________________
(Allen & Harper, 2011) 22. _________________________
23. _________________________
24. _________________________
25. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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10. Identify the structures involved in the Flow of Blood and Bile Through the Liver

Write answers here:

1. _________________________
2. _________________________
3. _________________________
4. _________________________
5. _________________________
6. _________________________
7. _________________________
8. _________________________
9. _________________________

(Allen & Harper, 2011)

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QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH:

A. Match the following descriptions with the salivary glands.

1. _____ largest of the paired salivary A. parotid glands

glands B. submandibular glands
2. _____ located in front and below the C. sublingual glands
ears D. more than one of the above glands
3. _____ Wharton ducts open into the
mouth on either side of the frenulum
4. _____ smallest of the salivary glands
5. _____ found below the angle of the
lower jaw
6. _____ secretes enzymes but no mucus
7. _____ produces a mucous type of saliva
8. _____ produces both enzymes and
mucus

B. Match the statement or definition to the correct terms related the pancreas.

1. _____ exocrine portions of pancreas; A. acinar units

produce digestive enzymes B. pancreatic duct
2. _____ endocrine portion of the pancreas C. pancreatic islets
that produces insulin and glucagon
3. _____ carries digestive enzymes; joins
the common bile duct

C. Match the functions with the appropriate organ of the digestive system.

1. _____ concentrates bile five- to A. stomach

tenfold B. liver
2. _____ secretes intrinsic factor C. gallbladder
3. _____ beta cells secrete insulin D. pancreas
4. _____ secretes about a pint of bile a
day
5. _____ produces the hormone gastrin
6. _____ stores bile that enters by way
of the hepatic and cystic ducts
7. _____ acinar units secrete digestive
enzymes
8. _____ carries on a limited amount of
absorption of some water, alcohol, and
certain drugs
9. _____ cells in this organ store iron
and vitamins A, B12, and D
10. _____ cells of this organ detoxify
various substances

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D. Match the layer of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract with its description or
function.
1. _____this is what is next to the mucosa A. muscularis
2. _____ the innermost layer of the GI wall B. mucosa
3. _____ this layer is made up of mostly C. serosa
muscle tissue D. submucosa
4. _____ this layer contains the lamina
propria
5. _____ this is the outermost layer of the
GI tract
6. _____this layer is made up mostly of
collective tissue
7. _____ this layer contains the Auerbach
plexus
8. _____ this layer contains the muscularis
mucosa
9. _____ this layer is the visceral layer of
the peritoneum
10. _____ this layer contains the Meissner
plexus

E. Match the definitions with their correct primary mechanisms of the digestive system

1. _____ release of digestive juices;

release of endocrine hormones that A. motility
regulate digestion or metabolism of B. ingestion
nutrients C. elimination
2. _____ excretion of the residues of the D. secretion
digestive process (feces) from the E. digestion
rectum, through the anus; defecation F. absorption
3. _____ movement by the muscular
components of the digestive tube,
including processes of mechanical
digestion; examples include peristalsis
and segmentation
4. _____ movement of digested nutrients
through the GI mucosa and into the
internal environment
5. _____ a group of processes that breaks
complex nutrients into simpler ones,
thus facilitating their absorption
(includes both mechanical and chemical
processes)
6. _____ process of taking food into the
mouth, starting it on its journey through
the digestive tract

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F. Match the statement or definition with the correct phases of gastric secretion.

1. _____ phase of gastric secretion that A. cephalic phase

responds to taste, smell, thoughts of B. gastric phase
food, and sensations of chewing and C. intestinal phase
swallowing
2. _____ phase of gastric secretions that is
controlled by the entrance of acidic
chyme into the duodenum
3. _____ phase of gastric secretion that is
initiated by the presence of food in the
stomach

G. Match the descriptions with the digestive juices and enzymes.

1. _____ enzyme that works on starch A. amylase

2. _____ converts maltose to glucose B. bile
3. _____ enzyme found in the mouth C. lactase
4. _____ major enzyme in stomach D. maltase
associated with protein breakdown E. pepsin
5. _____ enzyme that works on milk F. peptidase
sugars G. sucrase
6. _____ enzyme that works on cane H. trypsin
sugars
7. _____ hydrochloric acid activates this
enzyme
8. _____ pancreatic enzyme that works on
proteins
9. _____ enzyme from lining of small
intestine that produces the end products
of amino acids
10. _____ enzyme that works on malt
sugars

H. Match the actions given in the first column to the digestive hormones in the second column.
Write the letter of your answer on the line before the number.

1. _____ stimulates secretion of gastric

juice rich in pepsin and hydrochloric acid A. secretin
2. _____ inhibits gastric secretion; B. cholecystokinin-pancreozymin
stimulates secretion of (CCK)
pancreatic juice low in enzymes C. gastrin
and high in alkalinity; stimulates D. gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP)
ejection of bile by the
gallbladder
3. _____ stimulates ejection of bile from
the gallbladder and secretion of
pancreatic juice high in
enzymes; opposes the action of
gastrin, reducing the pH of
gastric juice
4. _____ inhibits gastric secretion and
motility

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I. Match the function, description, or the enzyme it produces with its structure.

1. _____ blood surrounding this organ A. gallbladder

would have a slightly higher pH than B. salivary gland
blood in other parts of the body C. pancreas
2. _____ this gland and the pancreas both D. stomach
produce amylase E. small intestine
3. _____ villi are located in this structure F. liver
4. _____ chief cells are found in this
structure
5. _____ the lipase produced here is
ineffective because the ingested lipids
are still too large
6. _____ trypsinogen is made here
7. _____ pepsinogen is made here
8. _____ blood surrounding this organ
would have a pH slightly lower than
blood in other parts of the body
9. _____ bile is made and secreted by this
gland
10. _____ bile is concentrated and stored in
this structure

J. Match the statement or definition with the correct the disorders of the digestive system

1. _____ inflammation of the liver A. colitis

2. _____ failure of the small intestine to B. diverticulitis
absorb nutrients properly C. hepatitis
3. _____ inflammation of abnormal saclike D. malabsorption syndrome
outpouchings of the intestinal wall called E. pancreatitis
diverticula F. ulcer
4. _____ an open sore or wound in an
area of the digestive system that is
acted on by acid gastric juice; generally
occurs in the duodenum
5. _____ inflammation of the pancreas
6. _____ an inflammatory condition of the
large intestine, with symptoms of iarrhea
and abdominal cramps or constipation

Using your knowledge

1. Some drugs cannot be taken orally even if they are well absorbed by the small intestine because they
are completely broken down by the liver. Explain why these drugs would never reach the general
circulation.

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