DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Prepared By: Mulok, Alaminah M.

PARTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The digestive system consists mainly of a long
muscular tube, the digestive tract. This starts at the
mouth, continues via the oesophagus and stomach to
the intestines, and ends at the anus. The system also
relies
MOUTH on the pancreas, liver, and gall bladder to help
digest food. Each
The mouth day the
is a cavity pancreas
formed releases
between theabout
tongue1.5
litres
at its(2base,
1/2 pints)
cheeks ofatenzyme-containing
the side, hard andjuice into the
soft palate
tract.
in itsThe liver
roof, andproduces
teeth at about 1 litre
the front. The(1teeth
3/4 pints) of
tear and
bile,
grindwhich
food,iswhich
storedistemporarily
then churned in the gall bladder.
through
movements of the jaws and tongue. Breaking the
food into smaller pieces creates a larger surface
area for the action of enzymes in saliva; these begin
to digest the food.
STRUCTURE OF A TOOTH
Each tooth has a crown, which can be seen above
the gumline, and one or more roots, which are
embedded in the jawbone. In the centre of the
tooth lies the pulp cavity, which contains blood
TYPES OF TEETH
Teeth come in four main types: incisors, canines,
premolars, and molars. Each is shaped for a
specific function. People have two sets of teeth
during their lives: the 20 milk teeth emerge
between the ages of about six months and three
years. The 32 permanent teeth (like those seen
here) emerge from the age of about six years into
the early twenties.
STOMACH
The stomach is a muscular bag that begins the
digestive process. On entering the stomach, food is
mixed with gastric juices and churned by
contractions of muscles in the stomach wall. Food
usually stays in the stomach for about four hours.
By that time, it has become a semi-liquid (called
chyme) that can be released in spurts into the
duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
INSIDE THE STOMACH
When food enters the stomach, glands in its lining release an enzyme, pepsin. This
begins to break down protein in food. The lining also produces hydrochloric acid,
which maintains the acid environment needed for pepsin to work and kills any
bacteria present.
INTESTINES
The intestines form a continuous tube that is about 8 m (26 ft) long in adults. Food is
pushed along this tube by contractions of muscles in the intestinal walls. In the small
intestine, muscle contractions mix chyme with enzymes produced by the pancreas
and intestinal lining. It is here that nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. In
the large intestine, water is absorbed from the digestive waste, and the remaining
waste is formed into stools.