Digestive System

By
Assistant Lecturer
Dr. Noor Fouad M.
 Small Intestine
• It is responsible for digestion and absorption of
nutrients like amino acid, fats, glucose and some
large molecules.
The small intestine is consisting of:
• Duodenum (25-30 cm length): the first part of the
small intestine that starts at the lower end of the
stomach and extending to the jejunum.
• Jejunum: The middle part of the small intestine that
lies between the duodenum and the ileum.
• Ileum The last part of the small intestine that lies
between the jejunum and large intestine.
 The wall of the small intestine is composed
of four layers:
1) The mucosa: is the inner layer of mucous membrane that
secretes digestive enzymes and hormones.
Have: 1- epithelium (simple columnar epithelium), 2-
lamina propria, 3- muscularis mucosa and have intestinal
villi and crypts.
2) The submucosa: is the layer of dense irregular
connective tissue or loose connective tissue.
3) The muscularis externa: is a region that has two layers of
smooth muscle: 1-inner circular and 2-outer longitudinal.
It is responsible for gut movement (also called peristalsis).
4) The serosa: is a membrane consisting of a thin layer of
cells that secrete serous fluid, and a thin layer of connective
tissue.
Brunner’s Glands (duodenal glands)
are compound, tubular, submucosal
glands found in the (duodenum). The
main function of is to produce a mucus-
rich alkaline secretion (containing
bicarbonate) to neutralize the acidic
content of chyme that is came from the
stomach, and enabling absorption to
take place and lubricate the intestinal
walls.
 Peyer’s Patches
• Peyer’s patches: are organized
lymph nodules found in the lowest
portion of the small intestine in
the (ileum)
 Intestinal villi
• Intestinal villi : are tiny, finger-like
projections that protrude from the epithelial
lining of the mucosa. Each villus has many
microvilli. The main function is to increase
the internal surface area to be available for
absorption the digested nutrients (including
sugars and amino acids) pass into the villi and
the villi are connected to blood vessels that
carry the nutrients away in the circulating
blood.
Ileum
 Large Intestine
• The large intestine is absorbing water from the
remaining indigestible food and then passes the
useless waste material from the body.
• The large intestine is consisting of:
• Cecum
• Colon
• Rectum
• Anus
 The wall of the Large intestine is
composed of four layers:
• The mucosa: is the inner layer of mucous membrane that
reabsorbs water and mucus secretion. Have 1-epithelium
(simple columnar epithelium), 2-lamina propria,
3-muscularis mucosa and have no intestinal villi.
• The submucosa: is the layer of connective tissue.
• The muscularis externa: is a region that has two layers of
smooth muscle: inner circular and outer longitudinal. It
is responsible for peristalsis in the colon (have taeniae
coli).
• The serosa: is a membrane consisting of a thin layer of
cells that secrete serous fluid, and a thin layer of
connective tissue.
 The Anus
• is the last part of the GI Tract and has histological
transition zone between the GI Tract and the skin.
• The simple columnar epithelium of the rectum
quickly transitions to a stratified squamous
epithelium.
• The inner anus have thick ring of smooth muscle cells
continuous with the rectal muscularis propria, forming
the involuntary internal anal sphincter. This layer of
muscle transitions to that of skeletal muscle cells
which forms the voluntary external anal sphincter.
Cecum
 Liver
• The liver is the largest internal organ of the human
body.
• Liver Structure:
• Lobules (thousands of small units hexagonal in shape)
• Central vein
• Portal triads (artery , vein, bile duct)
• Hepatocytes
• Sinusoids
• Space of Disse 
• Kupffer cells (phagocyte system)
• Hepatic stellate cells
Liver
 Pancreas
 The pancreas is part of the gastrointestinal system that
makes and secretes digestive enzymes into the intestine, and
also an endocrine organ that makes and secretes hormones
into the blood.
• Exocrine pancreas, the (95%) portion of the pancreas that
makes and secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum.
Have structure called acini, line by simple cuboidal E.
• Endocrine pancreas, the (1-2%) portions of the pancreas
(the islets) that make and secrete insulin, glucagon,
somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide into the blood.
 Have structure called pancreatic islets (islets
of Langerhans).
Intercalated duct, Intralobular duct, Interlobular duct.
Pancreas
Pancreas
Pancreas
 Gall Bladder
• The gall bladder is a simple muscular
sac, lined by a simple columnar
epithelium. It receives and stores bile
from the liver via the hepatic and then
cystic duct. It is attached to the
visceral layer of the liver.
 The inner surface of the gall bladder is
covered by the
• Mucosa: is made up of a simple columnar epithelium and
have microvilli. Underneath the epithelium is the lamina
propria. The wall does not have a muscularis mucosae
• does not have submucosa.
• Muscularis externa (muscle layer): contains bundles of
smooth muscle cells, collagen and elastic fibres.
• Adventitia: (attached to the liver) is a thick layer of
connective tissue, which contains large blood vessels,
nerves and a lymphatic network.
• Serosa: (unattached to the liver), there is an mesothelium
and loose connective tissue.