The Digestive System
BY PAYAL SHARMA
Functions:
• mechanical and chemical
breakdown of food
• absorption of nutrients
• Consists of alimentary
canal and accessory
organs
Wall of the Alimentary Canal
Characteristics of the Canal
1. Mucosa - protects tissues and carries absorption
2. Submucosa - glands, blood vessels, nerves
3. Muscular Layer - smooth muscle tissue, circular &
longitudinal fibers, pushes food (PERISTALSIS)
4. Serosa (serous layer) - visceral perioneum, outer
covering of the tube, lubricates surfaces (serous fluid)
Food &
Excretions
Mixing Movements
Contractions mix food
with digestive juices
Peristalsis - pushes food
down the tube
Anatomy of the
Mouth
Anatomy of a Tooth
Teeth
Incisors
Cuspid (canine)
Bicuspids
Molars
Salivary Glands Parotid - ear, cheek
Submandibular - below jaw
Sublingual - under tongue
Pharynx
nasopharynx
oropharynx
laryngopharynx
Esophagus
esophageal hiatus is
where it penetrates the
diaphragm
cardiac sphincter at
entrance to stomach
STOMACH MUSCLES: Longitudinal, Circular,
Oblique
Stomach
Regions
• Cardiac
• Fundus
• Body (greater and
lesser curvature)
• Pylorus
Stomach Lining
Gastric Juices contain acids that break down
food - secreted by gastric glands
PEPSIN - most important digestive enzyme for
breaking down food
Mucus prevents stomach
from digesting itself
Chyme - paste, after food has been broken
down, released then into the duodenum via the
pyloric sphincter valve
Rugae - folds within
stomach
Gastric Pits contain
glands to make
juices
PANCREAS - secretes
insulin which breaks down
sugars
Pancreatic Juice also
breaks down fat
Liver
1 large right lobe | 1 smaller left lobe
Liver - ducts and vessels
Hepatic duct --> to common bile duct
Hepatic portal vein - circulates blood throughout
liver
Liver Functions
1. blood glucose levels
2. breakdown of lipids and fats
3. protein metabolism
4. stores vitamins
5. destroys damaged RBCs
6. removes toxins
7. secretes bile
Gall Bladder - under liver
cystic duct --> common bile duct
stores bile, digests fat
*gallstones may form
Small Intestine
Starts at the pyloric sphincter
1. Duodenum
2. Jejunum
3. Ileum
*Mesentery
Membrane holds it
together, contains blood
vessels
Intestinal villi - increase surface area to
absorb nutrients, connect to vessels
The main function
of the small
intestine is to
secrete chemicals
that break down
food and carry the
nutrients away in
the blood stream.
In one word:
ABSORPTION
Large Intestine
• Cecum
• Appendix
• Colon (4 parts)
1. Cecum
2. Ascending
3. Transverse
4. Descending
5. Sigmoid
Rectum
Anus
Function of Large Intestine
Secretes mucus, reabsorbs water, contains bacteria to aid in
digestion (intestinal flora)
Mass Movements (defecation) - removes undigested food
The main job is
WATER
REABSORPTION...
stomach
transverse
colon
ascending
colon descending
colon
cecum
appendix
rectum sigmoid colon
Contribution of other organ
systems:
1.Integumentary System
-The lining of the digestive tract is protected by mucous membranes, which also aid in
nutrient absorption and act as a barrier against external factors.
- Mucous membranes lining the digestive tract protect against mechanical and chemical
damage.
- The gut microbiome influences skin health and immune function.
2. Muscular System
- Smooth muscle contractions (peristalsis) propel food through the digestive tract.
- Skeletal muscles aid in swallowing, defecation, and supporting digestive organs.
3. Nervous System
- The Medulla located inside the brain stem controls involuntary muscle
movement(digestion).
- Brain regulates appetite, satiety, and digestion through nerve signals.
- The enteric nervous system (ENS) controls gut motility, secretion, and blood flow.
- The spinal cord delivers the messages from brain to rest of the body.
4. Endocrine System
- Hormones like gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin regulate digestive enzyme secretion
and gut motility.
- Insulin and glucagon regulate blood sugar levels in response to nutrient absorption.
Contribution of other organ
systems:
5. Circulatory System
- Nutrients absorbed from digestion enter the bloodstream through hepatic portal vein,
which carries them to the liver for processing and distribution.
- The circulatory system transports digestive enzymes, hormones, and waste products.
6. Immune System
- Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) includes lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and
lamina propria, which help protect against pathogens.
- The gut microbiome influences immune system development and function.
7. Respiratory System
- Oxygen is supplied to the digestive process, particularly in the liver and gut mucosa.
- Carbon dioxide is removed from the bloodstream, helping regulate pH levels.
8. Urinary System
- Waste products from digestion, like urea, are excreted through the kidneys and urinary
tract.
- The gut and kidneys regulate electrolyte balance.
9. Skeletel system
-It protects mouth, oesophagus, stomach, liver, Pancreas and gall bladder.
1. esophagus
2. liver
3. stomach
4. pyloric sphincter
5. duodenum
6. pancreas
7. jejunum
8. ileum
9. cecum
10. appendix
11. ascending colon
12. descending colon
13. sigmoid colon
14. Rectum, Anus
Thank You
