ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF THE

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DR. BEDA OLABU
 SECTION I:

ANATOMY OF THE DIGESTIVE

SYSTEM
COMPONENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1: Hollow GIT
Path followed by food

The “alimentary canal”

2: Extrinsic glands
Salivary glands, pancreas,
liver & gall bladder
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES
1. Outline the anatomy of the various components of
the hollow GIT proximo-distally

2. Describe the structural organization of the gut wall

3. Describe the anatomy of the exocrine glands of the

digestive system

4. Explain the splanchnic circulation

 PARTS OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
1. Oral cavity

2. Pharynx

3. Oesophagus

4. Stomach

5. Small intestines

6. Large intestines
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

Has four layers:

1. Mucosal layer

2. Submucosal layer

3. Muscular layer

4. Adventitia/serosa
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

1: The mucosal layer:

Has a lining epithelium &
lamina propria

Has several glands (gastric &

intestinal crypts)

May be folded (rugae & villi)

STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

2: The submucosa:
Dense irregular connective
tissue layer

Contain blood vessels

Nerves (submucosal plexus)

(+/-) Submucosal glands

STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

3: The muscular layer:

Inner circular layer

Outer longitudinal layer

Myenteric plexus

A few exceptions……
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

4: The adventitia/serosa:

A thin C.T layer

 + peritoneal lining = serosa

 - peritoneum = adventitia
THE ORAL CAVITY
Has two compartments:
1. Vestibule of the mouth

2. The oral cavity proper

Roof: Hard & soft palate

Continuous posteriorly with

the oropharynx
THE PHARYNX
Extends from the base of
skull to the esophagus
Common passage for food
and air
Parts of the pharynx:
Nasopharynx, oropharynx &
laryngopharynx
THE ESOPHAGUS
Connects the pharynx to
stomach

Has cervical, thoracic &

abdominal segments

Upper esophageal sphincter

Lower esophageal sphincter

THE STOMACH
Muscular bug that stores food

Located in the epigastrium &

left hypochondrium

Parts of the stomach:

Fundus, cardia, body, pylorus

2 curvatures: greater & lesser

THE STOMACH
Muscular bug that stores food

Located in the epigastrium &

left hypochondrium

Parts of the stomach:

Fundus, cardia, body, pylorus

2 curvatures: greater & lesser

THE STOMACH
Gastric mucosa:
Lined by glandular
epithelium

Folded into rugae

Has several pits that

lead to gastric glands
THE SMALL INTESTINES
Components:
Duodenum, jejunum &
Ileum

Functions:
Digestion & absorption of
nutrients
THE LARGE INTESTINES
Components:
1. Caecum
2. Appendix
3. Colon
4. Rectum
5. Anal canal
FEATURES OF THE COLON
4 Segments:
Ascending, transverse,
descending & sigmoid

2 Flexures:
Hepatic & Splenic
FEATURES OF THE COLON
Unique features:
1. Taenia coli

2. Haustrations

3. Appendices epiplocae
(fat tags)
EXTRINSIC GLANDS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. Salivary glands

2. Liver

3. Gall bladder

4. Pancreas
SALIVARY GLANDS
Major salivary glands:
Parotid gland

Sublingual gland

Submandibular gland

Minor salivary glands:

Palatine, buccal, lingual
SALIVARY GLANDS
1: Parotid gland:
 The largest salivary gland

 Lateral side of the face, anterior

to the ears

 Duct drains into the vestibule,

opposite 2nd maxillary molar

 Innervated by CN IX

 Serous (watery) secretion

SALIVARY GLANDS
2: Sublingual gland:
Below the tongue

Drain via multiple ducts

below the tongue

Innervated by CN VII

Mucoid secretion
SALIVARY GLANDS
3: Submandibular gland:
Below the body of the
mandible
Its duct drains into the floor
of the mouth
Innervated by CN VII
Mixed secretion
THE LIVER: LOCATION & PARTS
Right hypochondrium
& epigastrium

Lobes of the liver:

Right lobe

Left lobe

Caudate & quadrate*

THE SPLANCHNIC CIRCULATION
The aorta
Celiac artery (& hepatic
artery), SMA, IMA
Gut capillary plexus
Splenic and gut veins
The portal vein
Liver sinusoids
Hepatic veins
CELL TYPES OF THE LIVER
1. Hepatocytes

2. Kuppfer Cells

3. Cells of Ito

4. Endothelial cells

5. Cholangiocytes
THE GALL BLADDER
Identify A – D:
A. Liver

B. Gall bladder

C.Pancreas

D. Duodenum
THE BILIARY SYSTEM
1. Intrahepatic ducts
2. R & L Hepatic ducts
3. Common hepatic duct
4. Gall bladder & cystic
duct
5. Common bile duct
6. Main pancreatic duct
7. Ampulla of Vater
8. Sphincter of Oddi
THE PANCREAS
Lies in the epigastrium &
Left hypochondrium

Around the duodenal

curve

Behind the stomach

Has five anatomical

THE PANCREAS
Location of the pancreas
In the epigastrium
Behind the stomach
Around duodenal curve

Functional components
1. Exocrine pancreas
2. Endocrine pancreas
PANCREAS – FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS

1: Exocrine pancreas:
Pancreatic acini (acinus)

The acinar cells secrete

pancreatic juice (contain
enzymes & bicarbonate)

Released into pancreatic

ducts, to the duodenum
PANCREAS – FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS

2: The endocrine pancreas:

Clusters of cells called Islets of
Langerhans

Secrete various hormones

into the bloodstream

Alpha, Beta, Delta & PP cells

 PANCREATIC HORMONES
HORMONE SOURCE CELL PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Alpha cells Elevate the blood sugar
GLUCAGON
[A - cells] levels
Beta cells Lower the blood sugar
INSULIN [B - cells] levels
Delta cells Inhibit pancreatic
SOMATOSTATIN [D - cells] secretions
PANCREATIC PP cells Slows down food
POLYPEPTIDE [F - cells] absorption*
 SECTION II:

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE

SYSTEM
FUNCTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
1. Delivery of water and
nutrients to the body

2. Endocrine functions

3. Excretion of waste (via the

biliary system)

4. Immunologic functions
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES:
1.Review the components of the digestive system

2.Explain the basic food processes

3.Name the exocrine and endocrine secretions of

the GIT and state the role of each

4.Describe neuronal regulation of the GIT

COMPONENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Hollow GIT (alimentary
canal)

The extrinsic glands

THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
EXTRINSIC GLANDS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. Salivary glands

2. Liver

3. Biliary tree

4. Pancreas
THE SPLANCHNIC CIRCULATION
The aorta
Celiac artery (& hepatic
artery), SMA, IMA
Gut capillary plexus
Splenic and gut veins
The portal vein
Liver sinusoids
Hepatic veins
THE BASIC FOOD PROCESSES

1. Ingestion

2. Digestion

3. Absorption

4. Defecation
INGESTION PROCESS
Uptake of food into the

stomach

Involves mastication

and deglutition
INGESTION PROCESS
a) Mastication (chewing)
Mechanical breakdown

Ends by pushing food

backwards into the pharynx

Voluntary process
INGESTION PROCESS
b) Deglutition (swallowing)
Both voluntary & involuntary

Controlled from brainstem

a) Voluntary phase

b) Pharyngeal phase

c) Esophageal phase
PHASES OF SWALLOWING
PHASES OF SWALLOWING
FUNCTIONS OF THE STOMACH
1. Storage of food
2. Churning of food
3. Digestion of food
4. Absorption of food
5. Immune function
6. Intrinsic factor [B12]
 DIGESTION PROCESS
Enzymatic breakdown of food into smaller subunits
that can be absorbed

Three basic types of food that require digestion:

1. Carbohydrates: Broken down to monosaccharides

2. Proteins: Broken down to amino acids & dipeptides

3. Lipids: Broken down to monoglycerides & fatty acids

 STARCHES
Salivary amylase (ptyaline)
Pancreatic amylase
SUCROSE MALTOSE LACTOSE

Sucrase Maltase Lactase

∞-Dextrinase

FRUCTOSE GLUCOSE GALACTOSE

 PROTEINS
Pepsin

POLYPEPTIDES; PEPTONES

Proteases*

AMINO ACIDS; DIPEPTIDES

 FAT
Emulsification

Lingual EMULSIFIED
Lipase FAT

Pancreatic lipase

MONOGLYCERIDES &
FATTY ACIDS
 ABSORPTION PROCESS
Uptake of substances into the bloodstream

Occurs in the ileum (nutrients) & colon (water)

Carbohydrates & proteins enter the splanchnic

circulation

Lipids enter into the lacteal system (lymphatic

channels)
DEFECATION PROCESS
Elimination of GIT wastes
via the anal canal

Involves voluntary &

involuntary mechanisms

Multiple triggers factors

lead to the urge:
EXOCRINE SECRETIONS OF THE GIT
1. Saliva

2. Gastric juice

3. Pancreatic juice

4. Bile juice

5. Intestinal fluid
SALIVA
From salivary glands

Components of saliva
Digestive enzymes (ptyalin,
lipase)

Water, mucus, minerals

Antimicrobial agents
 FUNCTIONS OF SALIVA
1. Lubrication of food

2. Contains digestive enzymes – ptyalin,

lipase which aid in digestion of food

3. Immunity – antibacterial, IgA

GASTRIC JUICE
From gastric glands

The glands have several

cell types that secrete
various substances into
the juice
 GASTRIC JUICE
COMPONENT SECRETORY CELL FUNCTION
Pepsin Chief cells Digestion of proteins

Hydrochloric Activation of pepsinogen

Parietal cells
acid Antimicrobial effects
Intrinsic Promote absorption of Vitamin B12
Parietal cells
factor [in the ileum]

Histamine Enterochomaffin Promote gastric acid secretion

cells
Lubrication & mucosal protection
Mucus Mucus cells
[from corrosive effects of the acid]
PANCREATIC JUICE
From pancreatic acinar cells

Released into D2 via the

pancreatic ducts

Components & functions:

1. Several digestive enzymes

2. Bicarbonate
BILE JUICE
Secreted by hepatocytes

Stored, concentrated and

released by the gall bladder

Contain bile salts, bilirubin,

cholesterol & fatty acids

Has an alkaline (pH 8)

 FUNCTIONS OF BILE JUICE

1. Emulfication of fat (for digestion)

2. Absorption of fat

3. Bicarbonate (alkaline pH) neutralizes acid

4. Excretion of waste products

 ENDOCRINE SECRETIONS OF THE GUT
THE GUT HORMONES
A group of hormones secreted by enteroendocrine cells

The endocrine cells are dispersed along the digestive tract

(stomach & small intestines), and in the pancreas

Part of the diffuse endocrine system (because there is no

discrete endocrine gland)

Control various functions of the organs of digestive system

 ENDOCRINE SECRETIONS OF THE GIT
HORMONE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Gastrin Stimulate gastric acid secretion

Cholecystokinin (CCK) Gall bladder contraction

Secretin Bicarbonate secretion

Gastric Inhibitory Peptide Inhibits gastric acid secretion

Motilin Stimulate GIT motility

NEURAL CONTROL GIT FUNCTIONS
Enteric nervous system:
1. Submucosal plexus

2. Myenteric plexus

Regulated by sympathetic &

parasympathetic systems
 NEURAL CONTROL GIT FUNCTIONS
PARAMETER PARASYMPATHETIC EFFECTS SYMPATHETIC EFFECTS

Signaling nerve Vagus nerve Splanchnic nerves

Peristalsis Increases Reduces
Sphincter tone Relaxes Contraction
Stool consistency Loose Constipation
Saliva Watery Mucoid
Acid secretion Increases Decreases
 SECTION III:

DEVELOPMENT & CONGENITAL

ANOMALIES OF THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES:
1. State the embryonic origin(s) of the GIT and its extrinsic glands

2. Name the parts and derivatives of the primordial gut

3. Outline the vascular territories of the GIT

4. Describe the development of the esophagus and stomach

5. Outline the stages of midgut development

6. Partitioning of the cloaca and associated derivatives

7. Name and identify common congenital anomalies of foregut, midgut and

hindgut, and explain the embryological basis of each
COMPONENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Hollow GIT (alimentary
canal)

Extrinsic glands
PARTS OF THE HOLLOW GIT
PARTS OF THE HOLLOW GIT
LAYERS OF THE GUT WALL
Four layers:
1. Mucosal layer

2. Submucosal layer

3. Muscular layer

4. Adventitia/serosa
EXTRINSIC GLANDS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
EXTRINSIC GLANDS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
 EMBRYONIC ORIGIN OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Viewed in the light of the alimentary canal (lumen),

tissue components of the gut wall, and the glands

During embryonic folding, the dorsal part of the yolk

sac is longitudinally incorporated into the embryo
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
EMBRYONIC ORIGIN OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Incorporated part yolk sac cavity
forms the primordial gut

1. Endoderm forms the epithelial

lining and glands

2. Splanchnic mesoderm forms the

connective & muscular tissues

3. Neural crest cells form the enteric

nervous system
PARTS & DERIVATIVES OF THE PRIMORDIAL GUT
Foregut - Pharynx to the
duodenum

Midgut – Duodenum to
the Transverse colon

Hindgut – Transverse colon

to the cloaca (anus)
PARTS & DERIVATIVES OF THE PRIMORDIAL GUT
Foregut - Pharynx to the
duodenum

Midgut – Duodenum to
the Transverse colon

Hindgut – Transverse colon

to the cloaca (anus)
VASCULAR TERRITORIES OF THE GUT
Remnants of the primitive
circulation to the yolk sac

The arteries to the gut

1. Celiac trunk – foregut
2. SMA – midgut
3. IMA – hindgut
DEVELOPMENT OF THE ESOPHAGUS
Formation of respiratory diverticulum

Foregut septation, into the trachea

(anteriorly) & oesophagus (posteriorly)

Elongation of the oesophagus

Blockage by endoderm (solid stage)

Recanalization (by apoptosis)

 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE ESOPHAGUS
Abnormal foregut Inadequate Defective
septation elongation recanalization

Tracheoesophageal Congenital hiatus Esophageal stenosis

fistula (several types) hernia or atresia
DEVELOPMENT OF THE STOMACH

Dilatation (swelling)

Differential growth

Rotation in vertical axis

Rotation in AP axis
DEVELOPMENT OF THE STOMACH

Dilatation

Differential growth

Rotation in vertical axis

Rotation in AP axis
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF STOMACH
Congenital Hypertrophic Gastric inversion
Pyloric Stenosis
DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIDGUT
From duodenum to the transverse
colon

Connected to yolk sac by the Vitelline

duct at the level of the ileum

Vitelline duct degenerates

Supplied by the superior mesenteric

artery
STAGES OF MIDGUT DEVELOPMENT
1. Rapid proliferation, causing
elongation of the midgut

2. Formation of the primary

intestinal loop (midgut loop)

………List the derivatives of the

cephalic and caudal limb……….
STAGES OF MIDGUT DEVELOPMENT
3. Physiological
umbilical herniation

4. External rotation – 90
degrees anticlockwise

…State the outcome of

the external rotation….
STAGES OF MIDGUT DEVELOPMENT
5. Return of physiological
hernia

6. Internal rotation – 180

degrees anticlockwise

…State outcome of this...

7. Midgut fixation
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE MIDGUT

Omphalocele Gastroschisis Malrotation

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE MIDGUT

Merkel’s diverticulum Umbilical hernia

 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE MIDGUT
Gut atresia = blockage Gut duplication
HINDGUT DEVELOPMENT
Hindgut extends from the
transverse colon to the cloaca
Cloaca – common union of the
hindgut and the allantois
Union of digestive & urinary
systems
Hindgut supplied by the IMA
PARTITIONING OF CLOACA

Urorectal septum

Urogenital sinus – forms the

urinary bladder, urethra, lower
vagina & prostate

Anorectal canal – forms the

anal canal and the rectum
DERIVATIVES OF THE CLOACA
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE HINDGUT

Hirshprung’s Fistulae Anal atresia

THE END