UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC.

Dubinan East, Santiago City, Philippines, 3311

COLLEGE OF NURSING, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MIDWIFERY

Nutrition and Diet Therapy

Review Notes
Topic: Process of Digestion
Digestion- It is defined as process of breaking down food into substance like carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, and vitamins that aid body in its different functions.
• The digestive system is made up of gastrointestinal tract, the liver, pancreas, and gall
bladder.
• The GI tract is a chain of hollow organs connected in a long, twisting tube from the
mount to the anus.
• The Hollow organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small
intestines, large intestines, and anus.
Parts of Human Digestive System
1. Mouth- Digestion begins in the mouth where food is broken into pieces by chewing or
mastication. Amylase is the enzymes that aids in faster breaking down of foods.

2. Throat- Also known as the Pharynx, transfers food from the mouth to the esophagus

3. Esophagus- Through a series of contractions known as peristalsis, food goes to the

stomach. A “Zone of high pressure” known as the lower esophageal sphincter, prevents
food from passing backwards into the esophagus.

4. Stomach- Secretes stomach acid or Hydrochloric Acid to carry on the process of breaking
down the food

5. Small Intestine

- 20 Feet Long
- Made of three parts: 1. Duodenum, 2. Jejunum, and 3. Ileum.
- Duodenum continues the process of breaking down of food
- Jejunum and Ileum responsible for nutrients absorption into the blood stream

Three supporting organs in digestion

Prepared by: Jericho G. Ferrer, MSPH-Candidate

 UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC.
Dubinan East, Santiago City, Philippines, 3311
COLLEGE OF NURSING, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MIDWIFERY

1. Pancreas- Breaks down protein, fats, and carbohydrates from the food
2. Liver- Produces and secretes bile aiding in absorption of fats, and fat-soluble
vitamins. Also cleansed and purifies the blood comes from the small intestines
3. Gall Bladder- Pear-shaped reservoir. Storage section of Bile.
- During meals, gallbladder contracts and sends bile to
the small intestines

6. Large Intestine
The colon is a long muscular tube 5-6 foot that connects the Cecum
Cecum is the first part of the large intestine

Five Parts of Large Intestine

Cecum
Ascending right colon
Transverse colon
Descending colon
Sigmoid Colon
Note: Stools are kept in the sigmoid colon Until a “Mass movement”. It normally takes about 36
hours for the stool to get through the colon.

7. Rectum- 8-inch Chamber. It receives stool from the colon and holds the stool until
defecation.
8. Anus- Consist of pelvic floor muscles and 2 anal sphincters

Lining of Upper anus- Specialized to detect rectal concerns

Pelvic floor muscles- Creates an angle between the rectum and the anus that stops
stool.
Anal Sphincters- Provides control in elimination of stool.

Prepared by: Jericho G. Ferrer, MSPH-Candidate