Notes in Physiology

of
Digestive system
BY

Pr. Dr. Sahar Ahmed Elsawy

• 24/3/2024
 Learning Objectives

1. Composition and function of digestive system.

2. Deglutition.
 Introduction
• The function of the digestive system is to make ingested food available
to the cells of the body.
• Most ingested food is in the form of very large molecules that must be
broken down by mechanical and biochemical processes into their
smaller components.
• These smaller units are then absorbed across the wall of the digestive
tract and distributed throughout the body.
• Normally, about 95% of ingested food materials are made available for
use by the body.
• Interestingly, as long as food remains within the digestive tract, it is
technically outside the body. Not until the materials have crossed the
epithelium that lines the tract are they considered to have “entered”
the body.
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 The digestive system consists of:
• Gastrointestinal tract
• Accessory digestive organs
 The gastrointestinal tract:
A tube that runs through the center of the body from the mouth
to the anus. This tube consists of the following organs:
1. Mouth
2. Pharynx
3. Esophagus
4. Stomach
5. Small intestine
6. Large intestine
Although these organs are continuous with one another, each has
important anatomical modifications that allow it to carry out its
specific functions.
 The accessory digestive organs:
Exist outside the gastrointestinal tract; however, each of these
organs empties secretions into the tract that contribute to the
process of digestion. These accessory digestive organs include:
1. Salivary glands
2. Liver & gall bladder
3. Pancreas
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Structure and functions of digestive system:
1. Mouth
• Chewing and swallowing
• Salivary secretion
• Ingestion of food by breakdown of carbohydrates(cooked-
starch) by Amylase in the Saliva.
2. Esophagus
• Conduct the masticated food (BOLUS) from the mouth into
the stomach by peristalsis.
• Esophageal Sphincter functionally separates the acid
environment of the stomach from the esophagus.
Structure and functions of digestive system:

3. Stomach
• acidify and hydrolyze proteins to a
mixture called Chyme.
• inhibit bacterial growth.
4. Pyloric Valve
• Sphincter between the Antrum of the
stomach and the Small Intestine
• Allows only small amounts of Chyme to
enter the Small Intestine at any one time.
5. Small Intestine
• formed of three parts: Duodenum,
Jejunum & Ileum.
• main site for digestion and absorption.
 Structure and functions of digestive system:
6. Liver
• Bile formation.
• Metabolism of Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, & hormones.
• Storage of vitamins and iron
• Formation of coagulation factors
7. Pancreas
• Exocrine Pancreas: secrete Enzymes and bicarbonate.
• Endocrine Pancreas: release Insulin & Glucagon.
8. Ileocecal Sphincter
• Separates the ileum from the large intestine, control passage of
ileal contents into the cecum (first part of large intestine).
9.Large Intestine
• Water and NaCl reabsorption and concentration of waste for
excretion
10.Rectal Sphincter
The digestive system performs four basic digestive processes:

1.Secretion: of the digestive juices.

2.Digestion: breaking down
process.
3.Motility: Muscular contractions
that mix and move forward.
4. Absorption: of the digested
food, water and various
electrolytes.
The wall of the digestive tract consists of four layers
 Regulation of digestive function

Regulation of digestive function

Digestive motility and secretion are carefully regulated to
maximize digestion and absorption of the ingested food. There
are three factors involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal
function:
1- Intrinsic nerve plexuses.
2-Extrinsic nerves.
3- Gastrointestinal hormones.
Regulation of digestive function
 1- Intrinsic nerve plexuses:
The intrinsic nerve plexuses are interconnecting networks of
nerve cells located entirely within the gastrointestinal
tract, Two major plexuses:
A. The myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus for motility.
B. The submucosa (Meissner's) plexus for secretion.
 2-Extrinsic nerves:
The tract is innervated by the sympathetic and
parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic
nervous system, the:
A. Parasympathetic system stimulates secretion
&motility of digestive system
B. While the sympathetic system inhibits
secretion &motility of digestive system .
 3-Gastrointestinal hormones:

• These hormones may be released in one region of the

tract, travel in the circulatory system to other regions
of the tract, and influence the activity of effector cells
in that region.
• Summary of the regulatory mechanisms influencing
gastrointestinal function.
Summary of the regulatory mechanisms
influencing gastrointestinal function.
CONTROL OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
External Local
Influences Influences

Receptors in Digestive Tract

Intrinsic
Nerve Extrinsic Autonomic
Plexuses Nerves
GI
Hormones

Smooth muscle
Exocrine Gland Cells
Endocrine Gland Cells
 THE SALIVARY SECRETION
• Saliva is secreted by the salivary
glands whose ducts open into the
mouth.
• About 1-2 liters of saliva is
secreted per day.
• 99.5% of saliva is water and 0.5%
proteins and electrolytes.
• The most important salivary
proteins are amylase, mucous and
lysozymes.
• It is slightly alkaline.
There are 3 pairs of salivary glands:
▪ Parotid,
▪ Submandibular (submaxillary)
▪ Sublingual
 Functions of saliva:
1. Facilitates swallowing by moistening food particles.
2. Aids speech by facilitating movements of the lips and tongue.
3. Help to keep the mouth and teeth clean.
4. Buffers in the saliva in the form of bicarbonate which neutralizes
acids in food as well as acids produced by bacteria in mouth so
helping to prevent dental caries.
5. It keeps the mouth moist.
6. It serves as solvent for molecules, which stimulate taste buds.
7. Antibacterial action.
8. Digestive function: salivary amylase starts digestion of cooked
starch.
 Swallowing (Deglutition)
Definition : Passage of food from the mouth to the stomach
A programmed all-or-none reflex
1. 1st phase (buccal) : Chewing and moving the bolus of food back is
mainly voluntary (striated muscle)
2. 2nd Pharyngeal phase: Pressure of bolus on pharynx triggers involuntary
reflex (smooth muscle)
3. Tongue prevents food from moving back
4. Uvula elevated, sealing nasal passage
5. Larynx elevates and closure of glottis
6. Respiration briefly inhibited
7. Pharyngeal muscles force bolus back
8. 3th Esophageal phase : Peristaltic waves move bolus through esophagus
involuntary reflex
SWALLOWING (Deglutition)
Protective reflexes during pharyngeal phase
1. Elevation of the soft palate to close the posterior nasal
opening.
2. Elevation of the larynx against the epiglottis to close the
glottis to prevent food from entering the trachea .
3. Approximation of the vocal cords to close the glottis .
4. Temporary apnea
Thank You