DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
BY- SUHANIPACHAURI
OPTOMETRY
1ST YEAR 2ND SEM
Digestion is defined as the process
by which food is broken down into
simple chemical substances that
can be absorbed and used as
nutrients by the body.
Digestive system plays the major
role in the digestion and absorption
of food substances.
Extending from mouth to anus, the
digestive tract is one of the largest
systems in the human body.
FUNCTIONS :-
• INGESTION AND CONSUMTION OF FOOD SUBSTANCES.
• BREAKING THEM INTO SMALL PARTICLES.
• TRANSPORT OF SMALL PARTICLES TO DIFFERENT AREAS OF
DIGESTIVE TRACK.
• SECRETION OF NECESSARY ENZYMES AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
FOR DIGESTION.
• DIGESTION OF FOOD PARTICLES.
• ABSORPTION OF THE DIGESTIVE PRODUCTS.
• REMOVAL OF UNWANTED SUBSTANCE FROM THE BODY.
Digestive system is made up of gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) or
alimentary canal and accessory organs, which help in the process of
digestion and absorption .
GI tract is a tubular structure extending from the mouth up to anus, with
a length of about 30 feet. It opens to the external environment on both
ends.
GI tract is formed by two types of organs:
1. Primary digestive organs.
2. Accessory digestive organs.
1. Primary Digestive organs :-
Where actual digestion takes place.
i. Mouth
ii. Pharynx
iii.Esophagus
iv. Stomach
v. Small intestine
vi. Large intestine
2. Accessory Digestive organs:-
which help primary digestive organs in the process of
digestion.
i. Teeth
ii. Tongue
iii. Salivary glands
iv. Pancreas
v. Liver
vi. Gall bladder
1. Mouth – contains structures that start digestion:
teeth {chopping the food}, salivary glands {secrete saliva that contain enzymes that
chemical digestion of sugar and fats}, tongue { detects taste, pushes bolus towards
the pharynx}
2. Pharynx – conducts the food to the esophagus.
3. Esophagus – muscular tube that conduct the bolus to the stomach; it has upper
sphincter {opens with swallow reflex and allows the bolus to enter the esophagus}
and lower sphincter {controls emptying of the esophagus content to the stomach}
4. Stomach –
Function: secretion of gastric acid (HCL + NaCl + pepsine ) that digests proteins
and converts bolus to chyme.
Parts :
a) Cardiac - where content of the esophagus empties into stomach.
b) Fundus – upper curves part
c) Body – main, central region
d) Pylorus – empties the chyme into duodenum.
4. Liver – detoxification of metabolytes, synthesis of proteins, production of biochemical
needed for digestion , regulation of body’s metabolism and energy storage.
5. Gall bladder – stores the bile and empties it into the duodenum from where it partially
eliminates via defecation.
6. Pancreas - Secretes insulin when sugar levels are high, secretes glucagon when sugar
levels are low, secretes pancreatic juice (tripsinogen, chymotripsinogen, elastase,
amilase etc.) into the duodenum where it digests the chyme.
7. Small intestine - Duodenum - mixes chyme with bile, secretes bicarbonates to rise
pH in order to activate pancreatic enzyme which digest the chyme.
Jejunum - absorbs small nutrients that have been previously digested in duodenum.
Ileum - absorbs vitamin B12, bile salts and all necessary materia that were not absorbed
in jejunum.
Cecum - a pouch that marks division between small and large intestines - connects the
ileum with ascending colon.
8. Large intestine - Ascending colon - absorbs water from content and moves in to the
transverse colon by peristalsis.
Transverse colon - extends from hepatic flexure to the splenic flexure; absorbs water and
salts.
Descending colon - extends from splenic flexure to the sigmoid colon; stores feces that
will be emptied into the sigmoid colon.
Sigmoid colon - contracts to increase pressure inside the colon, causing the stool to move
into the rectum.
THANKYOU
