DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

DIGESTION
a. Mechanical Digestion
Is the conversion of food from a large or coarse form to a smaller or finer form with the
help of teeth.
b. Chemical Digestion
Is the conversion of food from complex forms into simpler ones with the help of
enzymes.

MAIN DIGESTIVE ORGANS

A. MOUTH
Inside the mouth Mechanical and chemical digestion rakes place.
a. Tongue
The tongue function as the sense of taste, helps the swallowing process and helps
speak.
b. Salivary Gland
The function of the salivary glands is to produce saliva. The saliva contains the enzyme
ptyalin which can convert carbohydrates into glucose. Saliva is produced in the parotid
glands (under the ears), submandibular glands (lower jaw), and sublingual glands
(under the tongue).

B. PHARYNX
The Pharynx connects the nasal cavity to the lungs. When swallowing food, there is an
epilogue that closes the opening throat so that food does not enter the lungs.
C. ESOPHAGUS
The esophagus is a long tube that functions as a passageway for food from the mouth to the
stomach. Inside the esophagus, there is a peristaltic movement (moving in waves to push food
into the stomach). In the esophagus, food doesn’t undergo digestion. The length of the
esophagus is approximately 20cm and the diameter is approximately 2cm.

D. STOMACH
The stomach is a pouch located in the left abdominal cavity below near the body cavity. In
the stomach, food is chemically digested. The stomach wall contracts, causing peristalsis.
Peristalsis of the stomach wall causes the food in the stomach to stir. In the inner wall of
the stomach, some glands produce gastric juice. Gastric juice contains:
a. Stomach acid (HCl). Stomach acid functions to kill microorganisms and activate the
pepsinogen enzyme to become pepsin.
b. Pepsin functions to convert protein into peptones.
c. Renin functions to convert caseinogen to casein.
The stomach is divided into three regions, viz:
1. Cardia is the upper part, the area where food enters from the esophagus,
2. Fundus is the central part, the shape is rounded.
3. Pylorus is the lower part, the area associated with the duodenum.

E. SMALL INTESTINE
The small intestine is the longest digestive tract with a length of about 8.25 meters which
consists of three parts, viz:
a. Duodenum
In the duodenum is a duct connected to the gallbladder and the pancreas. The
duodenum is about 0.25 meters long.
b. Jejunum (Empty Intestine)
The jejunum is about 7 meters long. In this empty intestine, food undergoes chemical
digestion by enzymes produced by the intestinal wall. Among these enzymes are:
1. Enterokinase activates trypsinogen to trypsin
2. Maltase converts maltose into glucose
3. Lactase converts lactose into glucose and galactose
4. Sucrase converts sucrose into glucose and fructose
5. Peptidase converts polypeptides into amino acids
 c. Ileum (Absorption Intestine)
The ileum is about 1 meter long. In intestinal absorption, there is the absorption of
nutrients through the intestinal projections (villi). The food essence enters the blood
capillaries, goes to the portal vein, and empties into the liver. Glucose is stored in the
liver in the form of glycogen.

F. LARGE INTESTINE
The large intestine or colon is a continuation of the small intestine. The large intestine is
approximately 1 m long. The boundary between the small intestine and the large intestine
is called the cecum. The large intestine consists of an ascending, horizontal, and
descending portion. The main function of the large intestine is to regulate the water
content of food waste. If the water content contained in food scraps is excessive, the
excess water will be absorbed by the large intestine. Conversely, if the rest of the food
lacks water, water will be added. In the large intestine, there’s a putrefactive bacteria
Escherichia Coli which breaks down food scraps into feces,

G. RECTUM
The final part of the large intestine is called the rectum. Rectum is about 15 cm long. By
the time it reaches the rectum, all the beneficial substances have been absorbed into the
blood. The rest is indigestible food, bacteria & dead cells from the digestive tract. The
mixture of these materials is called feces.

H. ANUS
In the anus, the process of defecation occurs. The process of conscious defecation occurs
with contraction of the abdominal wall muscles followed by relaxation of the anal
sphincter muscles & contractions of the colon & rectum so that the feces comes out.

ADDITIONAL DIGESTIVE ORGANS

A. LIVER
The liver is the largest gland in the body, located on the right side of the abdominal cavity
below the diaphragm. The function of the liver include:
a. To neutralize toxins
b. Maintain the balance of blood glucose level
c. Regulate blood cholesterol levels

B. Gallbladder
The gallbladder contains bile which is produced by the liver. Bile is useful for emulsifying
fat. Bile is green in color and tastes bitter.
C. Pancreas
The pancreas is located below the stomach and produced pancreatic juice. Pancreatic juice
contains:
a. Amylase converts starch into maltose.
b. Lipase converts fat into fatty acids and glycerol.
c. Trypsin converts protein into polypeptides

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISORDERS

A. PAROTITIS
Is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the parotid gland, as a result, the salivary glands
become swollen or enlarged. Symptoms that occur are pain when chewing and
swallowing, pain/discomfort in the ear & loss of appetite. The way to prevent it is with the
MMR vaccine
B. GASTRIC ULCER
Is a disease caused by the erosion of the stomach wall. The symptoms are nausea,
flatulence, & loss of appetite, or easy satiety. Prevention is by washing food ingredients &
cooking them until they’re cooked, washing your hands regularly & eat lots of vegetables
and fruits.
C. DIARRHEA
Is a disease caused by a viral or bacterial infection in the large intestine that comes from
the food or drinks consumed. The symptoms are heartburn, watery stools, and difficulty
holding stools. The way to prevent it is to wash your hands before eating and consuming
cooked food and drinks.
D. CONSTIPATION
Is a disease caused by obstruction of the large intestine/rectum or interference with the
nerves around the large intestine & rectum. The symptoms are difficulty passing stools,
frequency of bowel movements that are rarer than usual & pain when passing stools. The
way to prevent it is to eat regularly, drinks lots of water & exercise regularly.
E. APPENDICITIS
Appendicitis occurs due to infection in the cavity of the appendix. As a result, bacteria
grow rapidly, causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen & festering. The
symptoms are not being able to fart, constipation & diarrhea. The way to prevent it is to
eat fibrous foods and drink lots of water.
F. Dysentery
Is a disease caused due to an infection in the intestine that causes watery diarrhea
accompanied by blood or mucus. The symptoms are diarrhea with blood/mucus, stomach
cramps & nausea. The way to prevent it is to wash your hands before eating.