DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (P1)

Introduction

o Organs of the digestive system are divided into 2 groups:

A. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract (alimentary canal):
ü A tube that extends from the mouth to the anus through the ventral body cavity.
ü Includes: mouth, most of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine.
B. Accessory digestive organs: teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas.
o Performs six major activities: ingestion (eating)1, secretion2, mixing of food with secretions & propulsion of
food along the GI tract (motility)3, digestion4, absorption5, defecation6.

Layers of GIT

o Wall of the GI tract (from esophagus to anal canal) consists of 4 major layers of tissue (D→S).
A. Mucosa:
• A mucous membrane that surrounds the lumen.
• Consists of 3 sublayers:
1. Epithelium (Inner lining layer):
§ Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium:
- In the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and anal canal.
- Provides protection.
§ Simple columnar epithelium:
- Throughout the rest of the GI tract.
- Functions in secretion (hormone-secreting enteroendocrine cells) & absorption.
2. Lamina propria (Middle layer of areolar connective tissue):
§ Contains blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
§ Contains most cells of the mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT).
3. Muscularis mucosae (Outer layer of smooth muscle tissue): creates small folds in the stomach and
small intestinal mucosa that increase the surface area for digestion & absorption.

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B. Submucosa:
• Consists of areolar connective tissue → highly vascular.
• Contains:
ü Portion of the submucosal plexus (plexus of Meissner):
§ A component of the enteric nervous system (ENS).
§ Innervates the mucosa and submucosa.
§ Plays an important role in regulating:
- Movements of the mucosa & vasoconstriction of blood vessels.
- Secretions by the GIT.
ü Glands & lymphatic tissue.
C. Muscularis:
• Consists of muscle tissue:
ü Skeletal muscle tissue:
§ In the mouth, pharynx, superior & middle parts of the esophagus, external anal sphincter.
§ Produces voluntary swallowing & voluntary control of defecation.
ü Smooth muscle tissue:
§ Throughout the rest of the GIT.
§ Generally divided into two sheets:
- Inner sheet of circular fibers.
- Outer sheet of longitudinal fibers.
• Contractions: help break down food mechanically, mix it with digestive secretions, & propel it along tract.
• Contains the myenteric plexus (plexus of Auerbach):
ü A component of the enteric nervous system (ENS).
ü Primarily controls GI tract motility.
D. Serosa (Serous membrane):
• Composed of areolar connective tissue.
• Covered by a layer of simple squamous epithelium.
• Esophagus & lower aspect of the rectum: lack a serosa but have only a single layer of areolar connective
tissue called the adventitia.
• Below the diaphragm: called the visceral peritoneum because it forms a portion of the peritoneum.

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 Peritoneum

o Largest serous membrane of the body.

o Consists of a layer of simple squamous epithelium with an underlying supportive layer of connective tissue.
o Consists of 2 continuous layers (covering the abdominal organs):
1. Parietal peritoneum: lines the wall of the abdominopelvic cavity.
2. Visceral peritoneum (serosa): covers some of the abdominal organs (viscera).
o Peritoneal cavity:
• A slim space between the two layers.
• NO organs in peritoneal cavity.
• Contains lubricating serous fluid → reduce friction.
• Ascites: accumulation of serous fluid in certain diseases.
o Abdominal organs relation:
• Intraperitoneal: completely covered by visceral peritoneum.
• Retroperitoneal:
ü Posterior (behind) the peritoneum.
ü Touched anteriorly by parietal peritoneum.
ü Duodenum & pancreas: lie against the posterior abdominal wall and are covered by peritoneum
only on their anterior surfaces.
ü Kidneys & adrenal glands: separated from peritoneum by fat & have no peritoneum on them at all.

Mouth (Oral “Buccal” Cavity)

A. Cheeks:
• Form the lateral walls.
• Consist of skeletal muscles.
• Covered externally by skin & internally by nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
B. Superior & inferior lips (labia):
• Consist of the orbicularis oris muscle.
• Covered externally by skin & internally by a mucous membrane.
• Inner surface of each lip: attached to its corresponding gum by a midline fold of M.M (labial frenulum).

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 • Oral vestibule: space located between the external cheeks & lips & internal gums & teeth.
• Oral cavity proper: space that extends from the gums & teeth to the fauces.
• Fauces: connects the oral cavity to the oropharynx.
C. Hard palate:
• Forms the anterior 2/3 of the roof (palate) of the mouth.
• Consists of the maxillae & palatine bones.
• Covered by mucous membrane.
• Separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.
D. Soft palate:
• Forms the posterior portion of the roof of the mouth.
• Arch-shaped, muscular partition covered by mucous membrane.
• Lies between the oropharynx and the nasopharynx.
• Uvula:
ü Finger-like process that hangs down from its free border.
ü On either side of the base of the uvula are 2 muscular folds:
1. Palatoglossal arch (anteriorly): extends to the side of the base of the tongue.
2. Palatopharyngeal arch (posteriorly): extends to the side of the pharynx.
§ Palatine tonsils: located between the arches.
§ lingual tonsils: located on the base of the tongue.

Salivary Glands

o Many small labial, buccal, palatal, and lingual glands in the mucous membrane: secrete small amounts of
saliva to keep the mouth and pharynx moist.
o Three pairs of major salivary glands:
• Parotid glands, Submandibular glands, Sublingual glands.
• Secrete major quantities of saliva when food enters the mouth.
o Saliva:
• Lubricates & dissolves food & starts the chemical digestion of carbohydrates.
• Functions to keep the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat moist.
• Chemically: 99.5% water & 0.5% solutes (salts, dissolved gases, various organic substances, & enzymes).

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o Parotid glands:
• Located inferior & anterior to the ears between the skin and masseter muscle.
• Parotid (Stensen’s) duct: pierces buccinator M. to open into vestibule opposite 2nd upper molar tooth.
• Mumps:
ü Inflammation & enlargement of the parotid gland.
ü Caused by paramyxovirus.
o Submandibular glands:
• Located beneath the base of the tongue.
• Submandibular (Wharton’s) ducts: travel ant. & open into oral cavity on either side of lingual frenulum.
o Sublingual glands:
• Located in the floor of the mouth superior to the submandibular glands.
• Lesser sublingual (Rivinus’) ducts: open into the floor of the mouth in the oral cavity proper.

Tongue

o Tongue & its associated muscles form the floor of the oral cavity.
o Composed of skeletal muscles covered by mucous membrane.
o Consists of:
• Extrinsic muscles:
ü Originate outside the tongue and insert into it.
ü Move the tongue for food manipulation during chewing & swallowing.
ü Form the floor of the mouth, hold the tongue in position, and assist in speech.
• Intrinsic muscles:
ü Originate & insert within the tongue.
ü Alter the shape and size of the tongue for speech & swallowing.
o Lingual frenulum:
• Fold of mucous membrane.
• Attaches the midline of the inferior surface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
• Limits movement of the tongue posteriorly.
• Ankyloglossia “tongue-tied”: if the lingual frenulum is too short or rigid.

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o Papillae:
• Covered the superior & lateral surfaces of the tongue.
• Fungiform papillae:
ü Mushroom-like projections distributed among the filiform papillae.
ü More numerous near the margin of the tongue.
ü Appear red, and most of them contain taste buds.
• Vallate (circumvallate) papillae:
ü Arranged in the form of an inverted “V” on the posterior surface of the tongue.
ü All of them contain taste buds.
• Foliate papillae:
ü On a tongue’s lateral margins.
ü Have few taste buds in adults.
• Filiform papillae:
ü Small pointed, appear whitish & lack taste buds.
ü Increase friction between the tongue and food, making it easier for the tongue to move food.

Teeth (Dentes)

o Located in sockets of the alveolar processes of the mandible & maxillae.

o Alveolar processes are covered by the gingivae (gums).
o Typical tooth consists of 3 major regions:
• Crown: visible portion located above the level of the gums.
• Roots: one to three & embedded in the socket.
• Neck: narrow junction of the crown and root near the gum line.
o Composed of several substances:
• Dentin:
ü Forms most of the mass of a tooth.
ü Consists of calcified connective tissue (harder than bone tissue).
• Pulp cavity:
ü Enclosed by a dentin of the crown.
ü Filled with pulp → consists of connective tissue containing B.V, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
ü Root canals: narrow extensions of the pulp cavity that travel through the root.

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 • Enamel:
ü Covers the dentin of the crown.
ü Composed of calcium salts → hardest substance in the body.
ü Protects the tooth against the wear of chewing.
ü Barrier against acids that may easily dissolve the dentin.
• Cementum:
ü A bonelike substance.
ü Covers dentin of the root.
o Dentitions (sets of teeth):
A. Primary (baby) teeth: 20 teeth that start erupting at 6 months.
B. Permanent teeth:
ü 32 teeth that erupt after 6 years of age.
ü Different structures indicate function:
§ Incisors → to cut food.
§ Canines (cuspids) → for tearing.
§ Premolars & molars → for crushing & grinding food.

THE END
GOOD LUCK & MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR