Digestive System

Basic Function of Digestive System

Main Functions
Ingestion
Digestion
Absorption
Elimination
 Radiographic
Correlation of the
Digestive System
Mouth
Pharynx
The pharynx, or throat, is the passageway leading from the mouth
and nose to the esophagus and larynx. The pharynx permits the
passage of swallowed solids and liquids into the esophagus, or
gullet, and conducts air to and from the trachea, or windpipe, during
respiration.

An x-ray examination that evaluates only the pharynx and

esophagus is called a barium swallow. In addition to
drinking barium, some patients are also given baking-soda
crystals (similar to Alka-Seltzer) to further improve the
images. This procedure is called an air-contrast or double-
contrast upper GI.
Esophagus
The primary function of the
esophagus is to transport food
entering the mouth through the
throat and into the stomach.

Conventional barium esophagography has long been

considered the primary imaging modality for the
esophagus, A barium swallow, also called an
esophagogram, is an imaging test that checks for
problems in your upper GI tract. Your upper GI tract
includes your mouth, back of the throat, esophagus,
stomach, and first part of your small intestine. The test
uses a special type of x-ray called fluoroscopy.
Stomach
The stomach is a muscular hollow organ. It
takes in food from the esophagus (gullet or
food pipe), mixes it, breaks it down, and
then passes it on to the small intestine in
small portions.

Abdominal X-rays may be used to diagnose

causes of abdominal pain. These can include
things such as masses, holes in the intestine, or
blockages. Abdominal X-rays may be done
before other tests that look at the GI tract or
urinary tract. These include an abdominal CT
scan and renal or kidney tests.
Small Intestine
The principal function of the small intestine is to
break down food, absorb nutrients(vitamins,
minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) needed
for the body, and get rid of the unnecessary
components.

MRI Enterography (or MRE) is

an exam that helps your
doctor see your small
intestines.
Large Intestine
The main function of the large intestine is
to absorb water and electrolytes from
digestive residues and makes the waste a
solid that will exit your body.

Colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a procedure

that allows the healthcare provider to view
the entire length of the large intestine
(colon). It can often help identify abnormal
growths, inflamed tissue, ulcers, and
bleeding.
 Radiographic
Correlation of Accessory
Digestive Organs
 Salivary Gland
Salivary glands play an important role in
digestion because they make saliva. Saliva
helps moisten food so we can swallow it
more easily. It also has an enzyme called
amylase that makes it easier for the stomach
to break down starches in food.

X-rays of the salivary gland (called a

sialogram) to look for a tumor. Ultrasound, CT
scan or MRI to confirm that there is a growth,
and to see if it has spread to lymph nodes in
the neck. Salivary gland biopsy or fine needle
aspiration to determine whether the tumor is
benign or malignant.
Liver
An organ with many functions, your liver's two main
responsibilities in the process of digestion are to
make and secrete bile and to process and purify
the blood containing newly absorbed nutrients that
are coming from the small intestine.

An ultrasound, CT scan and MRI can show liver

damage. Checking a tissue sample. Removing a tissue
sample (biopsy) from your liver may help diagnose
liver disease and look for signs of liver damage.
 Gall Bladder
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile
from the liver. The bile is then released into
the first section of the small intestine (the
duodenum), where it helps your body to
break down and absorb fats from food.

A Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan is

most often done to evaluate problems in your
gallbladder,liver and bile. It's also used to look at the
bile-excreting function of your liver and to track
the flow of bile from your liver into your small
intestine. A HIDA scan is often used with X-ray and
ultrasound.
Pancreas
During digestion, your pancreas makes pancreatic
juices called enzymes. These enzymes break down
sugars, fats, and starches. Your pancreas also helps
your digestive system by making hormones. These
are chemical messengers that travel through your
blood.

MRI can help healthcare practitioners assess

abnormalities in the pancreas and the
surrounding ducts. It can help them detect
pancreatic pathologies, from pancreatic cancer
to pancreatitis, cysts, and pancreatic lesions.
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