The Human Digestive System

by Colon, DonovanLuera, Michael

Navarro, Matthew

Mouth and Salivary Glands Esophagus Stomach Small Intestine Liver Large Intestine

The Digestive System Consists of:

Where Digestion first occurs Salivary glands soften and moisten food while you chew

making it easier to swallow and digest

A Digestive Enzyme called Amylase makes carbohydrates (sugars and starches) break down

After all this happens food is swallowed then pushed down a tube-like organ (by wavelike muscle contractions called peristalsis) called the esophagus which transports food from the mouth to the stomach

Mouth and Esophagus

Food enters the stomach from the esophagus from the Cardiac Sphincter

Within ten seconds of food being swallowed the stomach mixes food with digestive juices to begin the production of chyme.

It takes four hours time to produce chyme which is slowly drained down the stomach through the Pyloric Sphincter to the duodenum (connection point of the stomach and small Intestine)

The Stomach

Small Intestine Where most digestion and absorption occurs

Structure: The small intestine starts at the stomach and ends at the large

intestine. It is roughly 6 meters (20 feet) long but it’s not able to absorb all

body nutrients required. The inner wall is made of two kinds of folds: plicae circulars and

rugae. The intestine is made of three distinct zones: duodenum, jejunum

and ileum. However the differences between these are microscopic.

Function It is considered the part where the 'most extensive part of

digestion' occurs because it is where most of the chemical digestion takes place.

The major nutrients produced are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Structure:

The liver is reddish-brown in color.

The liver is split into two unequal sized lobes; in them are blood

capillaries, liver cells and the bile capillaries.

Functions in Digestion:

It processes the nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.

The liver creates bile that is used in the digestion of fat.

The liver is the body’s chemical "factory," because it uses the raw

materials absorbed by the intestines and makes all the chemicals the

body needs to function.

The Liver

Large Intestine Structure: The average adult large intestine is 5 cm wide and 1.5

meters long. It’s made of caecum, colon, rectum and anal canal.Functions: Reabsorbs water and other mineral ions. Forms and temporarily stores feces.

An inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach.

Cause: Caused by irritation due to excessive alcohol use, chronic vomiting, stress, or the use of certain medications.

-May also be caused by;-Helicobacter pylori: A bacteria that lives in the mucus lining of the stomach. Without treatment, can lead to ulcers, or stomach cancer-Pernicious anemia; form of anemia that occurs when

the stomach lacks to absorb vitamin b12

Disease: Gastritis

Symptoms:-Nausea-Abdominal pain-Vomiting-Indigestion-Hiccups-Loss of appetite-Vomiting blood or coffee ground like material

Treatment:-Taking antacids and other drugs to reduce stomach acid-Avoiding hot and spicy foods-If gastritis is caused by h pylori infection, then your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and antacid blocking drugs-If gastritis is cause by pernicious anemia then you will

receive vitamin B12 shots

Gastritis Cont.

Cheatsheet. The Body. Science Channel. April 13 2012

Emedicinehealth. Sandeep Mukherjee April 13 2012 <www.emedicine.com/anatomy_of_the_digestive_system/article_em.htm

Bibliography