Presented by :Thato Sello

OBJECTIVES
AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION LEARNERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO :
 MENTION AND EXPLAIN MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE
ALIMENTARY CANAL
 LIST THE FUNCTIONS OF THE PHARYNX
 DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURE OF THE PHARYNX
THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
 INGESTION- It is the taking in of food into the alimentary canal
 PROPULSION-the process whereby food are mixed and moved along
the alimentary canal
VOLUNTARY PROPULSION(swallowing)-it is the movement of food
through the alimentary canal that is controlled by the conscious mind
INVOLUNTARY(peristalsis)- the movement of food through the
alimentary canal , it involves the circular and longitudinal layers of the
muscularis externa contracting and relaxing in a wave-like manner
 DIGESTION- the process by which food is broken down into smaller
molecules that can be absorbed by the body
MECHANICAL DIGESTION(chewing)-achieved through the mixing and
churning of food by the muscularis externa
 CHEMICAL DIGESTION -digestion of food into small
molecules by the action of enzymes present in secretions
produced by glands and accessory organs of the digestive
system
 ABSORPTION-process by which products of digestion pass
through the walls of the alimentary canal into the blood
and lymph capillaries for circulation and for use by body
cells
 ELIMINATION(defaecation)-it is the removal of undigested
food from the alimentary canal as excreta
THE PHARYNX
IT IS INVOLVED IN DIGESTION AND RESPIRATION
IT RUNS FROM POSTERIOR ORAL AND NASAL CAVITIES TO
THE OPENING OF THE ESOPHAGUS AND LARYNX

IT HAS 3 SUBDIVISIONS
• NASOPHARYNX-plays no digestive role
• OROPHARYNX-food passes from the mouth into the
oropharynx
• LARYNGOPHARYNX-from the oropharynx food enters into
the laryngopharynx
THE WALLS OF OF THE PHARYNX CONSIST OF 3 LAYERS OF TISSUE
• THE LINING MEMBRANE(mucosa)-made up of stratified squamous
epithelial,continuous with the lining of the mouth at one end and the
oesophagus at the other,
NB: the stratified squamous epithelial tissue is situated for the pharynx
because it is resistant to mechanical stress and chemical damage from
substances from the mouth
• The middle layer- it is composed of connective tissue,it contains
blood vessels ,lymph vessels and nerves,it provides support and
protection of the pharynx
• The outer layer- consists of a number of involuntary muscles that are
involved in swallowing,when food reaches the pharynx, swallowing is
no longer under voluntary control
Functions of the pharynx
• It acts as the passage way for food and air
• Warming and humidifying- air is warmed and moistened as it passes
towards the lungs
• Hearing- the auditory tube, balances the pressure in the ear and
outside the ear
• Protection-it produces antibodies in response to swallowed or inhaled
antigens
• Speech-it acts as the resonating chamber for sound ascending from the
larynx