Anatomy & Physiology - Lecture

STUDENT ACTIVITY SHEET BS NURSING / FIRST YEAR

Session # 20

LESSON TITLE: DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (Part 1) Materials:

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Book, pen and notebook
Upon completion of this lesson, you can:

1. List the functions of the digestive system.

2. Define the major tunics of the digestive tract. Reference:
3. Describe the structural and functional characteristics of the
digestive tract, focusing on oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, and VanPutte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. (2019). Seeley’s
stomach. essentials of anatomy & physiology (10th ed.).
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

LESSON PREVIEW / REVIEW

Before continuing to this chapter, you must answer this quick identification quiz. This will serve as your basic
review in the information studied from last session. You must set a 5-second rule in answering each question. No
superimpositions/erasures will be tolerated. Right after finishing the 5 items, you can compare it with the correct
answers by looking at their notes. Be quick & have fun!
1. The smallest conducting passageways of the lungs. Answer: Bronchioles
2. The flap of elastic cartilage that protects the opening of the larynx. Answer: Epiglottis
3. A mechanism that clears the upper respiratory passages, which is similar to a cough except that the
expelled air is directed through the nasal cavities instead of the oral cavity. Answer:
Sneeze
4. Respiratory capacities are measured with . Answer: Spirometer
5. Most carbon dioxide is dissolved in blood plasma and transported as . Answer:
Bicarbonate ions
MAIN LESSON
You must read & study the concepts and refer to figures/tables in Chapter 16 of the book.

Digestive System – consists of the digestive tract / gastrointestinal (GI) tract (oral cavity, pharynx,
esophagus, stomach, small & large intestines, & anus), plus the specific associated organs (salivary glands,
liver, & pancreas).

Functions of Digestive System:

1. Ingestion 3. Absorption
2. Digestion 4. Elimination

Major Tunics of Digestive Tract: (See figure 16.2)

1. Mucosa – innermost; consists of (inner to outer) mucous epithelium, lamina propria, & muscularis
mucosae
2. Submucosa – contains plexus where autonomic nerves innervate
3. Muscularis – consists of circular smooth muscle (inner) & longitudinal smooth muscle (outer)
4. Serosa – consists of peritoneum / Adventitia – regions not covered by peritoneum

Peritoneum (Discussed already in Chapter 1. A fast recall can be done.)

Anatomy of Oral Cavity (See figure 16.4)

▪ Oral Cavity / Mouth – first part of GI tract; bounded by lips & cheeks and contains the teeth &
tongue
▪ Frenulum – thin fold of tissue that serves as anterior attachment of tongue to the floor of mouth

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 1 of 7
 ▪ Teeth – located in mandible & maxilla that can be divided into four quadrants, with each contains: 1
central & 1 lateral incisors, 1 canine, 1st & 2nd premolars, and, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd molars (See figure 16.5
& 16.6)
o Permanent Teeth / Secondary Teeth – adult teeth, normally 32 in number
o Primary Teeth/ Deciduous Teeth / Milk or Baby Teeth – lost & replaced during
childhood, 20 in number
o Wisdom Teeth – the 3rd molar that appears in early 20’s.
Regions of tooth: crown (visible portion), neck, & root (largest & anchored in jawbone)
o Pulp Cavity – center of tooth that contains pulp & is surrounded by dentin (cellular,
calcified tissue)
o Enamel – extremely hard, acellular substance that protects tooth against abrasion & acids
o Alveoli – where the teeth are held in place along alveolar processes which are covered by
gingiva / gums & secured by periodontal ligaments through embedding into cementum

▪ Palate – roof of oral cavity that prevents foods from passing into nasal cavity during chewing &
swallowing; consists of hard palate (anterior) & soft palate (posterior)
o Uvula – posterior extension of soft palate
o Tonsils (Discussed already in Chapter 14. A fast recall can be done.)

▪ Salivary Glands – produce saliva & consist of three major pairs: (See figure 16.7)
o Parotid Glands – largest; located anterior to each ear where parotid ducts enter oral cavity
adjacent to the 2nd upper molars
o Submandibular Glands – felt as soft lump where submandibular ducts open into the oral
cavity on each side of the frenulum
o Sublingual Glands – smallest & primarily mucous secretions where each gland has 10- 12
small ducts opening onto the floor of oral cavity

Saliva – mixture of serous & mucous fluids that is secreted at rate of approximately 1L/day which is
regulated by ANS, primarily the parasympathetic nervous system; has many functions that include:
▪ helps keep the oral cavity moist
o Mucin – a proteoglycan from mucous secretion that gives a lubricating quality to the
secretions of glands
▪ contains enzymes that begin the process of digestion (See table 16.1)
o Salivary Amylase – breaks down starch
▪ prevents bacterial infections in mouth with a mildly antibacterial enzyme called lysozyme
▪ neutralize pH
Mastication / Chewing – begins the process of mechanical digestion, breaking down large particles into smaller
ones.

Pharynx – only oropharynx & laryngopharynx carry food to esophagus (Discussed in Chapter 15. Do a
recall.)

Esophagus – muscular tube (about 25 cm long) that passes from pharynx to stomach; contains vital
sphincters:
▪ Upper Esophageal Sphincter – located at upper ends that regulate the movement of food into
esophagus
▪ Lower Esophageal / Cardiac Sphincter - located at lower ends that regulate movement of food out
esophagus

Phases of Swallowing / Deglutition: (See process figure 16.8)

Bolus (mass of food) formed in mouth
▼
Tongue pushes bolus against hard palate & toward posterior part of mouth, into the oropharynx
(Voluntary Phase)
▼
Pharyngeal Phase – bolus stimulates receptors to elevate soft palate (closing off the nasopharynx)
▼
Pharynx elevates to receive bolus

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 2 of 7
 ▼
Pharyngeal constrictor muscles contract while upper esophageal sphincter relaxes
▼
Food is pushed into esophagus
▼
Esophageal Phase – peristaltic waves activate & propel bolus through (See process figure 16.9)
▼
Cardiac sphincter relaxes as peristaltic waves approach the stomach
Stomach – houses food for mixing with hydrochloric acid & other secretions (See figure 16.10)
Structure Definition
Gastroesophageal Opening opening from esophagus into stomach; surrounded by the cardiac region
Fundus most superior part of stomach
Body largest part; forms the greater curvature & lesser curvature
Pyloric Opening opening into small intestine; surrounded by pyloric sphincter within pyloric region
Muscular Layers:
1. Longitudinal (outer)
produce a churning action that is vital in digestive process
2. Circular (middle)
3. Oblique (inner)
large folds in mucosa & submucosa of stomach; visible when it is empty but
Rugae
stretches when it is filled
Gastric Pits forms from mucosal surface which are openings for gastric glands
Epithelial Groups in Stomach:
1. Surface Mucous Cells on inner surface that produce mucus
2. Mucous Neck Cells located in gastric glands that produce mucus
3. Parietal Cells produce hydrochloric acid & intrinsic factor
4. Endocrine Cells produce regulatory chemicals
5. Chief Cells produce pepsinogen

Chyme – semifluid mixture of food & stomach secretions

Secretions of Stomach:
▪ Hydrochloric Acid – produce pH of about 2.0 (acidic) that kills microorganisms & activates the
pepsin
▪ Pepsin – active form of pepsinogen that breaks down protein
▪ Mucus – forms thick layer that lubricates & protects epithelial cells from damaging effects of acidic
chyme & pepsin; secretions can be stimulated by stomach irritation
▪ Intrinsic Factor – binds with vitamin B12 to be readily absorbed in small intestine

Phases of Regulation of Stomach Secretions: (See figure 16.11 & table 16.2)
Both involve nervous (CNS reflexes integrated within medulla oblongata & enteric plexus) and hormonal
mechanism.
1. Cephalic Phase – “get started”; stomach secretions are increased in anticipation of incoming food
2. Gastric Phase – “go for it”; greatest volume of gastric secretion occurs due to presence of food in
stomach
3. Intestinal Phase – “slow down”; inhibits gastric acid secretions as the acidic chyme enters into
duodenum

Hormones Functions
Gastrin enters blood & carried back to stomach; stimulates additional secretory activity
Histamine enters blood to stimulate gastric gland secretory activity; most potent stimulator of HCl secretion
Secretin released from duodenum in response to low pH; inhibits gastric secretions
Cholecystokinin activated by fatty acids & peptides in duodenum; inhibits gastric secretions

Movement in the Stomach: (See figure 16.12)

Contractions occur every 20 seconds, proceeding from the body of the stomach toward pyloric sphincter.
▪ Mixing Waves – relatively weak contractions that thoroughly mix ingested foods & form chyme
▪ Peristaltic Waves – stronger contractions that force the chyme toward & through pyloric sphincter
(causing partial relaxation)

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 3 of 7
Hunger Pangs – “growling” stomach; uncomfortable sensations that can build up to prolonged or tetanic
contractions; peristaltic waves triggered by low blood glucose levels from empty stomach; occur for about 2-3
minutes
Distention of Stomach Wall – major stimulus gastric motility & emptying and must be regulated
▪ Too fast, efficiency of digestion & absorption in small intestine is reduced
▪ Too slow, highly acidic contents damage stomach wall

Vomiting – protective mechanism against the ingestion of toxic or harmful substances

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

You will answer and rationalize this by yourself. This will be recorded as your quiz. One (1) point will be given
to the correct answer and another one (1) point for the correct ratio. Superimpositions or erasures in your
answer/ratio is not allowed. You are given 20 minutes for this activity.

Multiple Choice

1. Which one of the following represents the correct order through which food passes in the digestive tract?
a. mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine
b. mouth, esophagus, pharynx, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
c. pharynx, mouth, esophagus, stomach, large intestine, small intestine
d. mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
e. mouth, pharynx, esophagus, small intestine, stomach, large intestine
ANSWER: D
RATIO: In the mouth, saliva acts to start breaking down carbohydrates with the help of the enzyme amylase. It then passes to the
pharynx down to the tube called esophagus controlled by muscles that helps food to travel into the stomach. The stomach coats the
Food with a mixture of acid and digestive enzymes down to the small intestine and in the large intestine.

2. Which of the following is a part of digestion? (Select all that apply)

a. Absorb H2O, electrolytes & other nutrients
b. Eliminate undigested food through the anus
c. Ingest food
d. Engulf body toxins
e. Break down the macronutrients for usage
ANSWER: A, B, and C
RATIO: Option A B and C are the parts of digestion. In the process of digestion, there is the absorption of hydrogen, electrolytes and
other nutrients in the body. It also eliminates undigested food and wastes through the anus, and helps in the ingestion of food.

3. Which of the following phases of swallowing involves the epiglottis covering the opening of the larynx?
a. Voluntary phase
b. Esophageal phase
c. Pharyngeal phase
d. None of these are correct
ANSWER: C
RATIO: The tongue closes the oropharynx during the pharyngeal phase. The nasopharynx is sealed off by the soft palate and proximal
pharyngeal wall. The laryngeal aperture is closed up by the vocal cords and arytenoids, and the epiglottis swings down to cover the
laryngeal vestibule. These activities isolate the pharyngeal cavity from the airway.

4. Protein digestion begins in the .

a. mouth d. small intestine
b. esophagus e. large intestine
c. stomach

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 4 of 7
ANSWER: C
RATIO: The activity of the enzyme pepsin initiates the enzymatic digestion of proteins in the stomach. Protein digestion takes longer in
the stomach than carbohydrate digestion, although it takes less time than fat digestion.

5. Which phase of gastric secretion is stimulated by the distention of the stomach?

a. Gastric phase c. Cephalic phase
b. Intestinal phase d. Gastrointestinal phase
ANSWER: A
RATIO: The gastric phase is characterized by the activation of gastric action by ingested food and semi-digested protein (peptides and
amino acids). During this phase, approximately two-thirds of gastric output occurs. Gastric activity is stimulated by ingested food in
two ways: by expanding the stomach and increasing the pH of its contents.

6. Which of the following hormones does not inhibit gastric gland secretions?
a. secretin
b. gastrin
c. gastric inhibitory peptide
d. cholecystokinin
ANSWER: B
RATIO: Gastrin is found in the stomach and promotes the secretion of and hydrochloric acid by the gastric glands. The arrival of food
in the stomach stimulates the production of gastrin. The secretion is stifled when the pH is too low.

7. Which of the following does not occur during the gastric phase of gastric secretion?
a. Gastrin begins to be secreted by the lower part of the stomach.
b. Hydrochloric acid and pepsin secretion are stimulated in the upper and middle parts of the
stomach.
c. Peptides stimulate the secretion of gastrin.
d. Tactile sensation of food in the mouth sends nervous impulses to the medulla oblongata.
e. All of the choices are correct
ANSWER: A, B, D
RATIO: Options A, B and D are not the activities that will occur during the gastric phase of gastric secretion. Only Option C
or the peptides stimulate the secretion of gastrin will occur.

8. The medulla oblongata controls gastric secretion both by the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system
and the endocrine system.
a. The statement is true.
b. The statement is false.
ANSWER: B
RATIO: The medulla oblongata is a nervous system structure only and does not have endocrine function.

9. The anterior chisel-shaped teeth that are adapted for cutting are called:
a. incisors
b. canines
c. premolars
d. molars
e. wisdom teeth
ANSWER: A
RATIO: Incisors are teeth found in the front of the upper and lower jaws that are used to scrape or break food into smaller pieces.

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 5 of 7
10. Pepper woke up in the morning with an intense urge to defecate. As she observed her feces, she noticed leafy
green residues and remembered that she ate a lot of cabbages in her dinner. She realized that there was no need
to call for an emergency. She knows that cabbage is not easily digested because it is rich in:
a. Sucrose
b. Fats
c. Starch
d. Cellulose
e. Protein
ANSWER: D
RATIO: Cabbage contain significant amounts of cellulose which cannot be easily digested and results to leafy green
residues in the feces.

LESSON WRAP-UP

You will now mark (encircle) the session you have finished today in the tracker below. This is simply a visual to help
you
track how much work you have accomplished and how much work there is left to do. You
are done with the session! Let’s track your progress.

AL Activity: REVIEW TEST

This activity is an effective way for you to practice and clarify the learnings. With every review test, you can see
how much content you have already learned. You have to answer the set of review questions posted below. Use the
space provided in writing your answer. After completing the answers, immediately check their work against the
provided correct answer from your Main Lesson. Correct your own answers using a different color of pen to see the
differences. To make this activity worthy, make sure to follow the instructions accordingly. Enjoy!

1. The organ that connects the pharynx to the stomach is the .

Answer: Esophagus

2. The innermost layer of the alimentary canal is referred to as the .

Answer: Mucosa

3. The upper, expanded part of the stomach lateral to the cardiac region is called the .
Answer: Fundus

4. Large wrinkle-like folds in the stomach lining, present when the stomach is empty, that allow for
expansion when the stomach is filling are called .
Answer: Rugae

5. The emetic (vomiting) center in the brain is called the .

Answer: Medulla Oblongata

6. This is the hormone responsible for promoting the release of pepsinogens, mucus, & HCl acid in the
stomach.
Answer: Gastrin

7. The process of swallowing is also known as .

Answer: Deglutition

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 6 of 7
 8. The substance secreted by the chief cells of the gastric glands is called .
Answer: Pepsin

9. The is responsible for movement of chyme towards the small intestine.

Answer: Pyloric sphincter

10. The site where the starch digestion begins is in the .

Answer: Mouth

This document and the information thereon is the property of

PHINMA Education (Department of Nursing) 7 of 7