Digestive System Functions (The Alimentary Canal)

Joke of the Day:

Alimentary Canal: The passage (including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines) that food passes through the body from mouth to anus

Types of Digestion Mechanical (M): Chewing, churning of food in stomache Chemical (C): Enzymes – From the Mouth to the Small Intestine

Mouth (M,C) First Site of Digestion! (M) chewing (C) Salivary Amylase breaks down starch

Pharynx(M) Initiates swallowing

Esophagus (M) Transports food from mouth to stomach through “Peristalsis” Peristaltic Waves: Waves of muscular contractions that propel contents from one point to another

Stomach(M,C) (process food then transport) (M) churning to create a “Bolus” Bolus: Creamy paste that forms as the food in th stomach is repeatedly mixed with gastric juices (C) HCl, pepsin kill bacteria and break down proteins

Duodenum(C) 1ST 10 inches of small intestine. Bile secreted here.

Jejunum(M,C) Next 8 feet of small intestine. Food absorption, enzyme action.

Ileum (M,C) “Terminal” portion of the small intestine Absorption of food, enzyme action

Ascending colon(M) Part 1 of the Large Intestine. Water, Nutrient and Electrolyte absorption

Transverse colon(M) Part 2 of the Large Intestine Water, Nutrient and Electrolyte absorption

Descending colon(M) Part 3 of the Large Intestine Water, Nutrient and Electrolyte absorption

Sigmoid colon(M) Water and Electrolyte absorption

Rectum(M) Storage of feces

Anal canal(M) Sphincter for “waste management”

Warning – Prolapsed rectum ahead!

Prolapsed rectum

Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U8oz9xCamE