Digestive System

Summary: The digestive system breaks down food and delivers nutrients to every cell in the body via the bloodstream. The digestive tract starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. Organs that are part of the digestive system include the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver and large intestine (bowel). Common problems of the digestive system include colitis, diverticulitis, gastroenteritis, heartburn and ulcers. *Pharynx and Esophagus The pharynx is a cavity posterior to the mouth from which the tubular esophagus leads to the stomach. Structure of the Pharynx ->The Pharynx connects the nasal and oral cavities with the larynx and esophagus. 3 parts of Pharynx 1. Nasopharynx 2. Oropharynx 3. Laryngopharynx *The stomach The food passes through a sphincter, or small muscle ring, into the stomach. Here it is mixed with gastric juices. The stomach is a muscular bag and it churns the food to help break it down mechanically as well as chemically. The food is then squeezed through a second sphincter into the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Parts of the Stomach -> The stomach is divided into the cardiac, fundic, body, and pyloric regions. The cardiac region is a small area near the esophageal opening. The fundic region, which balloons superior to the cardiac portion, is a temporary storage area. The dilated body region, which is the main part of the stomach, lies between the fundic and pyloric portions. The pyloric canal as it approaches the small intestine.

*The small intestine Once in the duodenum, the food is mixed with more digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Food is then squeezed into the lower parts of the small intestine, called the jejunum and the ileum. Nutrients are absorbed from the ileum, which is lined with millions of finger-like projections called villi. Each villus is connected to a mesh of capillaries. This is how nutrients pass into the bloodstream. *Pancreas The pancreas is one of the largest glands in the human body. As well as digestive juices, it secretes a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood. Diabetes is a condition caused by problems with insulin production. *Liver It is partially surrounded by the ribs, and extends from the level of the fifth intercostals space to the lower margin of the ribs. Major Function