Chapter 24: The Digestive System

I. The Digestive System: An Overview

A. Objectives
1. Identify the organs of the digestive system and list their major functions.
2. Describe the functional histology of the digestive tract.
3. Explain the processes by which materials move through the digestive tract.
4. Outline the mechanisms that regulate digestion.
a. digestive system
b. digestive tract
c. accessory organs
B. Functions of the Digestive System
a. ingestion
b. mechanical processing
c. digestion
d. secretion
e. absorption
f. excretion
g. defecation
II. The Digestive Organs and the Peritoneum
1. Mesenteries
a. mesenteries
b. greater omentum - fat deposits and lymph nodes
c. mesentery proper
d. mesocolon
2. Peritoneum – visceral and parietal; peritonitis; fluid normally sterile unless
bacteria enter
A. Histological Organization of the Digestive Tract
1. The Mucosa - with lamina propria: stratified squamous (mouth to esophagus & then
anus). The rest mostly simple columnar ; also goblet cells
a. The Digestive Epithelium - enteroendocrine cells
b. The Lamina Propria - muscularis mucosae
2. The Submucosa - areolar connective tissue
a. submucosal plexus, blood vessels & lymphatics
3. The Muscularis Externa – 2-3 layers of smooth muscle (longitudinal and circular)
a. parasympathetic stimulation enhances mobility
b. bunches up to become sphincters or valves
c. myenteric plexus
4. The Serosa- visceral peritoneum
B. The Movement of Digestive Materials
1. Peristalis
2. Segmentation
3. Mass movement
C. Control of Digestive Function
1. Neural Mechanisms - local control via enteric NS (plexus within muscle of
intestine, esophagus, stomach), its neurons communicate with glands and muscle
layers receptors for reflexes within wall (stretch receptors, chemoreceptors)
2. Hormonal Mechanisms - peptides from endocrine cells
3. Local Mechanisms - various cytokines, particularly histamine, as well as effect of
pH and other chemicals
III. The Oral Cavity
A. Objectives
1. Discuss the functions of the major structures and regions of the oral cavity.
B. The Tongue - lingual lipase
C. Salivary Glands
a. parotid salivary glands

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 b. sublingual salivary glands
d. submandibular salivary glands – makes ¾ of all saliva
1. Saliva – two types
a. mucus – with lysozyme (anti-bacterial)
b. serous - watery secretion with salivary amylase (starch digestion)
D. The Teeth
a. mastication
b. dentin, cementum & enamel all avascular
c. pulp cavity
d. apical foramen
e. periodontal ligament
f. gingival sulcus
1. Types of Teeth
a. incisors
b. cuspids
c. bicuspids
d. molars
2. Deciduous versus permanent
a. deciduous teeth; 2 1 0 2
b. permanent teeth; 2 1 2 3
IV. The Pharynx
A. Objective
1. Describe the anatomy and functions of the oro and laryngopharynx.
V. The Esophagus
A. Histology- stratified squamous epithetlium over skeletal muscle or smooth muscle
(skeletal muscle in first 1/3 of esophagus)
B. Swallowing - deglutition
a. buccal phase - voluntary tongue movement pushes bolus back/soft palate
moves up, covering nasopharynx & bolus pushes into oropharynx
b. pharyngeal phase – involuntary; larynx moves up with epiglottis folds down,
covering glottis & relaxation of upper esophageal sphincter allows food in
c. esophageal phase - skeletal muscle contraction in pharynx force it to
esophagus, upper sphincter closes & peristaltic waves move food
VI. The Stomach
A. Objective - Describe the anatomy of the stomach, its histological features & its roles in
digestion & absorption - chyme
B. Anatomy of the Stomach
a. cardia
b. fundus
c. body
d. pylorus
e. pyloric sphincter
f. rugae
g. oblique layer
1. Histology of the Stomach
a. gastric pits
2. Gastric Glands
a. Goblet cells
b. role of intrinsic factor and vitamin B12
c. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen and HCl
d. pepsinogen  pepsin
e. Parietal cells secrete HCl & intrinsic factor
3. Pyloric Glands
a. gastrin
b. somatostatin
C. Regulation of Gastric Activity
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 1. The Cephalic Phase – sight, smell, sound of food stimulates PNS to activate the
gastric glands to release gastric juice
2. The Gastric Phase - food in stomach stimulates pressoreceptors causes more
gastrin production -  gastric juice & acidity &  muscle contractions
3. The Intestinal Phase – chyme entering duodenum  gastric secretions via
entergastric reflex via CCK (fat-induced) & secretion (acid-induced)
D. Digestion & Absorption in Stomach (little absorption only EtOH & aspirin)
VII. The Small Intestine and Associated Glandular Organs
A. Objectives
1. Describe the anatomical and histological characteristics of the small intestine.
2. Explain the functions of the intestinal secretions and discuss the regulation of
secretory activities.
3. Describe the structure, functions, and regulation of the accessory digestive
organs.
B. The Small Intestine
a. small intestine
b. duodenum
c. jejunum
d. ileum
e. ileocecal valve
C. Histology of the Small Intestine - plicae circulares
a. Intestinal Villi - function of lacteal
D. Intestinal Movements
a. gastroenteric reflex
b. gastroileal reflex
E. Hormones in duodenum - secretin (targets liver, stomach), CCK (targets pancreas, gall
bladder) & peptides (GIP, VIP) - targets pancreas, vasodilation)
E. The Pancreas
1. Histological Organization
a. pancreatic acini
b. pancreatic juice
2. Physiology of the Pancreas
a. amylase - digests 50% of carbs (dextrins —> disaccharides)
b. lipase - digests 90% of fats
c. protein-digesting enzymes
i. trypsinogen - digests 50% of protein (polypeptides –> dipeptides)
ii. chymotrypsinogen
iii. carboxypeptidase
F. The Liver
2. Histological Organization of the Liver
i. liver lobules
ii. central vein
iii. hepatocytes
iv. Kupffer cells
3. Bile Duct System
i. bile
ii. bile canaliculi
iii. right & left hepatic ducts common hepatic duct
iv. cystic duct
4. The Physiology of the Liver – list from notes
a. Metabolic Regulation
b. Hematological Regulation
c. The Functions of Bile
i. emulsification
G. The Gallbladder
a. hepatopancreatic sphincter
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 1. Physiology of the Gallbladder
H. The Coordination of Secretion and Absorption
1. Intestinal Hormones
2. Intestinal Absorption
VIII. The Large Intestine
A. Objectives
1. Describe the gross and histological structure of the large intestine.
2. List the regional specializations of the large intestine.
3. Explain the significance of the large intestine in the absorption of nutrients.
B. The Cecum - appendix
C. The Colon
a. haustra
b. taeniae coli
c. ascending, transverse, descending & sigmoid colon
D. The Rectum
a. anus
c. internal anal sphincter - smooth muscle
d. external anal sphincter – skeletal muscle
E. Histology of the Large Intestine
F. Physiology of the Large Intestine
1. Absorption in the Large Intestine
a. Vitamins
b. Organic Wastes
i. urobilins
ii. stercobilins
2. Movements of the Large Intestine
i. mass movements
ii. defecation reflex
IX. Digestion and Absorption
A. Objectives
1. Specify the nutrients required by the body.
2. Describe the chemical events responsible for the digestion of organic nutrients.
3. Describe the mechanisms involved in the absorption of organic and inorganic
nutrients.
B. The Processing and Absorption of Nutrients
C. Carbohydrate Digestion and Absorption
1. The Actions of Salivary and Pancreatic Enzymes
2. Actions of Brush Border Enzymes
a. maltase - maltose
b. sucrose - sucrose
c. lactase - lactose
3. Absorption of Monosaccharides
D. Lipid Digestion and Absorption
a. micelles
b. chylomicrons – LDL, HDL taken up by lacteals
E. Protein Digestion and Absorption
1. Absorption of Amino Acids
a. dipeptidases
F. Water Absorption
G. Ion Absorption
H. Vitamin Absorption
a. fat-soluble vitamins
b. water-soluble vitamins
X. Aging and the Digestive System
A. Objective - Summarize the effects of the aging process on the digestive system.