The Digestive System!

The ENTRY of food into the digestive system!!! INGESTION The ENTRY of food into the digestive system!!!

Mouth Food is ground and mixed with saliva (Latin for “spit”). This mixture is now called a bolus. Partial digestion of starch occurs in the mouth due to the presence of the enzyme amylase.

Esophagus Functions in moving food from the mouth to the stomach, using continuous muscle contractions known as peristalsis. The esophagus is 23-25cm long.

in the digestive system!!! DIGESTION The BREAKDOWN of food in the digestive system!!!

Stomach Mixes the bolus with mucus, stomach acid and gastric juices through peristalsis. The resulting mixture is called “chyme”. This mixture empties into the duodenum through the pyloric sphincter.

Pancreas Produces insulin which allows glucose to be removed from from the blood and taken into cells

Liver Produces bile and bile salts which function in emulsifying and absorbing fats. Bile contains water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, and bilirubin. Bile salts break up fat. If the liquid bile hards into stones it could be fatal.

Gallbladder The gallbladder stores, concentrates, and delivers bile to the duodenum via the common bile duct.

The INTAKE of nutrients from the digestive system ABSORPTION The INTAKE of nutrients from the digestive system into the bloodstream!!!

Small Intestine Begins with the duodenum, then jejunum, then ileum. Absorption of nutrients takes place through villi in the lining of the small intestine.

Villi

Large Intestine Absorption of electrolytes, some vitamins, but mostly WATER. Excessive water absorption results in constipation. Low water absorption results in diarrhea.

Appendicitis Appendicitis may occur after a viral infection in the digestive tract or when the tube connecting the large intestine and appendix is blocked by trapped stool. The inflammation can cause infection, a blood clot, or rupture of the appendix. Because of the risk of rupture, appendicitis is considered an emergency. If you experience localized pain that may be appendicitis, see a doctor immediately!

The ELIMINATION of waste from the body!!! EXCRETION The ELIMINATION of waste from the body!!!

Rectum Functions in the storage and elimination of feces. Chyme becomes feces in the large intestine and rectum.

Why do you have gas?

Why Do You Have Gas? Everyone has gas. Burping or passing gas is normal. Because it is embarrassing to burp or pass gas, many people believe they pass gas too often or have too much gas. They don’t realize that passing gas 14 to 23 times a day is normal.

Most of the time gas is odorless Most of the time gas is odorless. The odor comes from sulfur made by bacteria in the large intestine. Sometimes gas causes bloating and pain. It probably depends on how much gas the body makes and how sensitive a person is to gas in the large intestine.

Remember 1. Everyone has gas in the digestive tract. 2. People often think they pass too much gas when they don't. 3. Passing gas 14 to 23 times a day is normal. 4. Two ways to reduce the amount of gas you have are the following: Cut down on the foods that cause gas: beans, broccoli, soft drinks, and dairy products Reduce the amount of air you swallow by eating slowly, chewing more, if you smoke, QUIT!