Digestive System

FUNCTIONS OF

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

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 The digestive system is made up of organs that are important for digesting
food and liquids. The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal
tract plus the accessory organs of digestion. The digestive system breaks
down food into nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins. This
process is called digestion.

 Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and smaller

components, until they can be absorbed and assimilated into the body. They
can then be absorbed into the bloodstream so the body can use them for
energy, growth and repair. Unused materials are discarded as faeces (poo).
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 PARTS OF THE

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

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Mouth
 The digestive process starts in your
mouth when you chew.

This process is called ingestion which

refers to the entry of food into the
alimentary canal through the mouth.

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Salivary gland
Your salivary glands make saliva, a
digestive juice, which moistens food so
it moves more easily through your
esophagus into your stomach.
You have three pairs of major salivary
glands under and behind your jaw —
parotid, sublingual and submandibular.

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Esophagus
 This valve opens to let food pass into
the stomach from the esophagus and it
prevents food from moving back up into
the esophagus from the stomach.

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Stomach
Your stomach is a muscular organ that
digests food.
It produces enzymes (substances that
create chemical reactions) and acids
(digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and
digestive juices breaks down food so it can
pass to your small intestine.

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 Liver
 Its purpose is to make and secrete bile
and to process and purify the blood
containing newly absorbed nutrients that
are coming from the small intestine.

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Gallbladder
Stores bile, a thick liquid that's
produced by the liver to help us
digest fat. When we eat, the
gallbladder's thin, muscular lining
squeezes bile into the small
intestine through the main bile
duct.

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Pancreas
 During digestion, your pancreas
makes pancreatic juices called
enzymes. These enzymes break
down sugars, fats, and starches.

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Small intestine
The muscles of the small intestine
mix food with digestive juices
from the pancreas, liver, and
intestine, and push the mixture
forward for further digestion.

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Large intestine
The job of your large
intestine is to absorb water,
minerals, and some of the
remaining nutrients from
your food.

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Appendix
The function of the appendix
is unknown. One theory is
that the appendix acts as a
storehouse for good bacteria,
“rebooting” the digestive
system after diarrheal
illnesses.

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Rectum
 The rectum receives stool from the
colon, sends signals to the brain if
there is stool to be evacuated, and
holds stool until evacuation can
happen.

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 Anus
To detect rectal contents, whether
they are liquid, gas or solid, and
then control when stool should
and shouldn't be excreted from
your body.

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COMMON DISEASES
IN THE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease also called (GERD) occurs when stomach
acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach
(esophagus).

GERD most often presents as heartburn, but uncontrolled GERD can erode
the lining of the esophagus and lead to bleeding. The condition can also
cause pain in the chest so extreme that it is sometimes mistaken for a heart
attack.

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Peptic Ulcers (Stomach Ulcers)
Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inside lining of your
stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. The most common
symptom of a peptic ulcer is stomach pain.

We used to attribute peptic ulcers to lifestyle factors, like stress or diet, but
research in recent years indicates that peptic ulcers are most likely caused
by either bacteria in the stomach or heavy use of over-the-counter
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or
naproxen.

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Pancreatitis
 Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked
behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help
digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).

 When the pancreas is inflamed, the powerful digestive enzymes it makes can damage its
tissue. The inflamed pancreas can cause release of inflammatory cells and toxins that may
harm your lungs, kidneys and heart.

 The most common causes are alcohol abuse and lumps of solid material (gallstones) in the
gallbladder.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, long-term condition of the
digestive system. It is a disorder that affects the stomach and intestines,
also called the gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea

or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to
manage long term.

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 HOW TO TAKE
CARE OF THE
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

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 Eat a high-fiber diet.
 Be sure you're getting both soluble and insoluble fiber.
 Minimize your intake of foods high in fat.
 Select lean meats.
 Add probiotics to your diet.
 Follow a regular eating schedule.
 Drink plenty of water.

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