Human Digestive
System
Lecture 14
Overview
Major Organs
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Accessory Organs
Liver
Gall Bladder
Pancreas
Human Digestive System
The digestive system is a group of organs working together to
convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed/nourish the body.
It consists of two major parts:
Major Organs and Accessory Organs
Major Organs
Mouth
Esophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Accessory Organs
Liver
Gall bladder
Pancreas
Mouth
First part of the digestive system
Entry point of food
Structures in mouth that aids digestion:
Teeth – cut, tear, crush and grind food
Salivary glands – produce and secrete saliva into oral cavity
Saliva – moistens the food, contain enzymes ptyalin and salivary
amylase
Function:
Mechanical digestion
Chemical digestion through enzymes
Esophagus
A tube connecting the mouth to the stomach
Running through the thoracic cavity
Location:
Lies behind the windpipe (Trachea)
Trachea has an epiglottis – prevents food from entering the windpipe
while swallowing
Food travels down the esophagus through a series of involuntary
rhythmic wave-like contractions known as peristalsis
Function
The lining of the esophagus secretes mucus
Provides lubrication
Support the movement of food
Esophageal Sphincter
Bolus reaches the stomach
Passes through a muscular ringed valve called the
esophageal sphincter (cardiac sphincter)
Function:
Prevent stomach acids and content from flowing back
into the esophagus
Stomach
J – shaped muscular sac
Has inner folds (rugae)
Increasing surface area of the stomach
Function
Performs mechanical digestion
Churning of bolus and mixing it with gastric juices secreted by
stomach lining
Gastric Juices – HCl , Salts, Enzymes, water, and Mucus
HCl helps break down food and kills bacteria that comes along with
food
The bolus is now called Chyme
Pyloric Sphincter
Chyme moves from stomach to the small intestine
Passes through pyloric sphincter
Small Intestine
Responsible for the complete digestion of all macromolecules
Also, the absorption of
Glucose
Glycerol
Fatty acids
Amino acids
Nucleotides
Parts of Small Intestine
Three parts
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
Duodenum
First part is duodenum - U-shaped organ
Approximately 30 cm in length
This area completes most of the digestion process
Enzymes are secreted into duodenum from pancreas and gall bladder
Lined by folds of tissues called villi
Jejunum
2.5 m long
Role in absorption of nutrients
Ileum
3 m long
Responsible for pushing waste materials into large intestine
Functions of Small Intestine
90% of the digestion and absorption of food occurs
10% occurs in the stomach and large intestine
Main function is to absorb nutrients and minerals from food
Digestion of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates
Inner walls of small intestine absorb nutrients into the bloodstream
Lipids, fatty acids, amino acids, glucose and fructose are absorbed by
diffusion
Other includes water, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals
Large Intestine
Large intestine is composed of several distinct parts:
Cecum
Colon
Ascending colon
Transverse colon
Descending colon
Sigmoid colon
Rectum
Functions of Large Intestine
Primary function is to absorb water
Prepare the waste as solid stool that is expelled from the body
Absorb vitamin K and Biotin back into body
Reduce acidity
Protect from infections by preventing harmful bacteria to be
reabsorbed in the body
Produce antibodies to boost immunity
Liver
Mass of about 1.5 kg
Produces bile
Bile
Greenish yellowish pigment containing bile salts and pigments
Function of Liver in Digestive
System
Bile Production – break down fats
Filtration of Blood – remove toxins, waste products
Energy Storage – Stores glycogen (form of glucose)
Vitamin storage
Gall Bladder
Storage sac
Bile is stored here
How it Works
Food that contains fat enters the digestive system
Bile emulsifies fats into partly digested food
Pancreas
Secretes enzymes into the small intestine
Role is to digest carbohydrates, lipids and proteins completely
Secrete 1 liter pancreatic fluids per day
Summary of Digestive Organs and
Functions
