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The Digestive System

DigestiveThe
consists of the: Organs
Tract
Gastrointestinal SystemAccessory

Oral Cavity
Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small Intestines
Large Intestines

Teeth
Tongue
Salivary Glands
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas

General Functions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Ingestion
Mechanical Processing
Digestion
Secretion
Absorption
Excretion

The Digestive Organs and the


Peritoneum
Peritoneal cavity found within the
abdominopelvic cavity, lined by a serous
membrane (mesothelium and areolar
tissue)
Serous membrane Serosa (visceral
peritoneum) & Parietal Peritoneum
Peritoneal fluid separates the two layers

The Digestive Organs and the


Peritoneum
MESENTERIES
Sheets of serous membrane that suspend
portions of the digestive tract within the
peritoneal cavity
Double sheets of peritoneal membrane
Provides access routes for blood vessels,
lymphatic vessels and nerves
Stabilizes position of attached organs

Peritoneum and Mesenteries

Mesenteries

Mesenteries
Digestive tract &
Accessory Organs
suspended by dorsal
and ventral
mesenteries in
embryonic life

Mesenteries
Ventral Mesentery > Lesser Omentum &
Falciform Ligament

Dorsal Mesentery > Greater Omentum

Lesser and Greater Omentum

Layers of the wall of the


Digestive Tract
1. Mucosa
2. Submucosa
3. Muscularis Externa
4. Serosa

Mucosa
Epithelial Layer & Lamina Propria

Epithelial Layer
The layer is folded to facilitate a large
surface area for digestion.
The epithelium may be simple or stratified.
Stratified Squamous- Oral Cavity, Pharynx
and Esophagus
Simple Columnar- Stomach, Small Intestine
and almost all the length of the large intestine.

Lamina Propria

Loose connective tissue


Blood vessels
Sensory nerve endings
Lymphatic vessels
Smooth muscle cells
Scattered lymphoid tissues
Secretory cells of mucus glands
Muscularis Mucosae (circular and longitudinal)

Submucosa

A layer of dense connective tissues that lies


below the mucosa consisting of:

Blood vessels
Lymphatic Vessels
Exocrine glands - buffers and enzymes
Sub mucosal plexus/Plexus of Meissner
Sensory neurons, parasympathetic ganglionic neurons and
sympathetic postganglionic fibers innervating mucosa and
submucosa

Muscularis Externa

Dominated by smooth muscle cells


Forms an inner circular and outer

longitudinal layer
Contraction facilitates peristalsis and
segmentation

Muscularis Externa

Enteric Nervous System (ENS)

coordinates movements ; innervated by


the ANS
Sympathetic fibers also innervate mucosa
and Myenteric Plexus
Myenteric Plexus lies between circular and
longitudinal muscle
Parasympathetic stimulation increases
muscle tone and activity

Serosa/Adventitia

Found along most portions of tract except in the

oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus and rectum.


The areas consist of a dense network of
collagen fibers which attaches the digestive tract
to the adjacent structures.

Digestive Organs and Their Functions


Oral Cavity
Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small Intestine
Large Intestine

Oral Cavity
Functions:
Analysis of material before swallowing
Mechanical processing by teeth, tongue
and palate surfaces
Lubrication with mucus and salivary
secretions
Limited digestion of carbohydrates and
lipids (Salivary Amylase & Lingual Lipase)

Salivary Glands

Salivary Gland

Submandibular Glands
-buffers, mucins & salivary amylase
Sublinguals
-contains mucus cells
Parotid Glands
-contains only serous cells salivary
amylase

Saliva
Functions
Helps keep oral surfaces clean
Moistening and lubricating of mouth and food.
Aids in tasting.
Aids in Swallowing.
Helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Helps to maintain the calcium phosphate matrix
of the teeth.

Four Major Components of Saliva:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Mucus
Amylase
Lingual Lipase
Alkaline Electrolyte Solution

Note:
Saliva contains thiocyanates and lysozymes that can attack and destroy
oral bacteria.
It also contains antibodies that destroy oral bacteria.

Control of Salivary Secretions


ANS control

PNS increases secretion


SNS produces small amounts of thick saliva

Other brain stem nuclei & higher centers

Chewing gum
Smelling or thinking about food
Irritating stimuli in esophagus, stomach &
intestines

Pharynx
Review structure in respiratory notes

Esophagus
A hollow muscular tube that transfers solid
food and liquids to the stomach.
Extends from cricoid cartilage, along
posterior surface of trachea, through
diaphragm to stomach
Cardiac Sphincter Muscles regulate the
passage of bolus into the stomach

Histology of Esophagus
Mucosa nonkeratinized stratified
squamous epithelium
Mucosa and submucosa thrown into folds
Submucosa contains mucus secreting
glands

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