Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, Seventh Edition
Valerie C. Scanlon and Tina Sanders
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Chapter 16
The Digestive System
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
The digestive system breaks down complex food into
simple chemicals.
The chemical end products of digestion are absorbed into
the blood or lymph and utilized by cells.
Divisions of the digestive system:
Alimentary tube—extends from the mouth to the anus—
Accessory organs—contribute to digestion—
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Types of digestion:
Mechanical—breaks food into smaller pieces, increases
surface area:
Chemical—enzymes change complex organics to simple
organics; each enzyme is specific:
End products of digestion:
Carbohydrates—
Proteins—
Fats—
Other end products—
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Oral Cavity
Teeth and tongue break up food and mix it with saliva.
Tooth structure:
Enamel covers the crown—
Dentin is within the enamel, forms the roots—
Pulp cavity—contains blood vessels and nerve endings:
Periodontal membrane—lines the tooth socket:
Questions: The set of deciduous teeth typically consists of how many? The set
of permanent teeth?
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answers
The set of deciduous teeth usually consists of 20 teeth.
The set of permanent teeth usually consists of 32 teeth.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Oral Cavity (continued)
The tongue is made of skeletal muscle.
Motor nerves—hypoglossal
Papillae on the upper surface contain taste buds.
Sensory nerves—
Other functions:
Chewing—
Swallowing—
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Oral Cavity (continued)
Salivary glands—ducts take saliva to the oral cavity.
Parotid—
Submandibular—
Sublingual—
Saliva—mostly water:
Lysozyme—
Amylase digests starch to maltose.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Pharynx—food passageway from the oral cavity to the
esophagus; no digestion takes place.
Contraction of pharyngeal constrictor muscles—
Esophagus—food passageway from the pharynx to the
stomach; no digestion takes place.
Lower esophageal sphincter: at the junction with the
stomach—
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Structure of the Alimentary Tube—four layers are
typically present.
Mucosa—the lining
Epithelium—produces the digestive secretions:
Lymph nodules—contain macrophages:
Submucosa—areolar connective tissue:
Meissner’s (submucosal) plexus—part of the enteric
nervous system:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Structure of the Alimentary Tube (continued)
External muscle layer—an inner circular and an outer
longitudinal layer—
Function:
Auerbach’s (myenteric) plexus—part of the enteric nervous
system:
Questions: What effect do parasympathetic impulses have on peristalsis?
Sympathetic impulses?
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answers
Parasympathetic impulses increase peristalsis (motility).
Sympathetic impulses decrease peristalsis.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Structure of the Alimentary Tube (continued)
Serosa (outer layer)—above the diaphragm; it is fibrous
connective tissue.
Below the diaphragm, it is the visceral peritoneum or
mesentery.
The peritoneum (parietal) lines the abdominal cavity.
Questions: What kind of membranes are the peritoneum and mesentery? What do
they produce, and what is its function?
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answers
The peritoneum and mesentery are serous membranes that
produce serous fluid.
Serous fluid prevents friction between the serous layers.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Stomach—in the upper left abdominal quadrant
(see Tables 16–1 and 16–2)
Functions: A reservoir for food:
Begins the digestion of proteins
Parts: Cardiac orifice:
Body:
Pylorus:
Pyloric sphincter:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Stomach (continued)
Mucosa—rugae:
Gastric pits—the glands
Mucus cells:
Chief cells:
Parietal cells:
G cells:
External muscle layer—three layers:
Question: Which cranial nerve pair innervates the stomach?
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answer
The vagus nerves innervate the stomach (and intestines).
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Small Intestine—extends from the stomach to the cecum;
encircled by the large intestine
Parts: Duodenum:
Jejunum:
Ileum:
Mucosa—many cells have microvilli:
Peyer’s patches:
External muscle layer—two layers:
The completion of digestion requires secretions from the liver
and pancreas as well as from the small intestine.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Liver—two large lobes in the upper right and center of
the abdominal cavity (see Tables 16–1 and 16–2)
Liver lobules—the structural units:
Hepatocytes:
Sinusoids:
Branches of hepatic artery and portal vein:
Central veins of the lobules  hepatic vein 
Digestive function—production of bile to emulsify fats:
Bile canaliculi  hepatic duct 
Secretin—a hormone of the duodenum:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Gallbladder—on the undersurface of the right lobe of
the liver
Functions: Stores bile
Concentrates bile
Cystic duct—
Cholecystokinin—a hormone of the duodenum:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Pancreas—extends from the curve of the duodenum to
the spleen
Acini—secrete enzymes into small ducts  pancreatic duct
Pancreatic amylase:
Lipase:
Trypsin:
Bicarbonate pancreatic juice:
Effect of secretin:
Effect of cholecystokinin:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Completion of Digestion—in the small intestine
(see Tables 16–1 and 16–2)
Bile salts emulsify fats.
Pancreatic enzymes break down all three food types.
Intestinal glands: crypts of Lieberkühn:
Peptidases:
Sucrase, maltase, and lactase:
Enteroendocrine cells:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Absorption of End Products of Digestion
Intestinal surface area is increased by:
Circular folds:
Villi:
Microvilli:
Within each villus:
A capillary network—water-soluble end products:
A lacteal—fat-soluble end products:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Absorption (continued)
Mechanisms of absorption:
Active transport—
Passive transport—
Osmosis—
Special requirements:
For vitamin B12—
For calcium ions—
For fat-soluble nutrients—
Question: To what organ does blood from the small intestine flow first?
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answer
Blood from the small intestine flows through the portal vein to
the liver.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Large Intestine—from the ileum to the anus; encircles
the small intestine
Parts: Cecum
Ileocecal valve
Appendix
Ascending, transverse, and descending colon
Sigmoid colon
Rectum and anal canal
Internal and external anal sphincters
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Large Intestine (continued)
Functions:
Absorption of water:
Elimination of undigestible material:
Normal flora (microbiota) of the colon—trillions of bacteria
Benefits:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Large Intestine (continued)
Elimination of feces: defecation reflex
Stimulus—stretching of the rectum, sensory impulses to
spinal cord
Motor impulses from spinal cord to smooth muscle layer of
rectum—
Internal anal sphincter—smooth muscle—
External anal sphincter—striated muscle—
Voluntary control—
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Liver—other functions
1. Carbohydrate metabolism—excess glucose—
Fructose and galactose—
2. Amino acid metabolism—transamination—
Deamination—
Excess amino groups 
3. Fat metabolism—synthesis of lipoproteins—
Cholesterol—
Beta-oxidation of fatty acids—
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Liver (continued)
4. Synthesis of plasma proteins:
Albumin—
Clotting factors—
Alpha and beta globulins—
5. Formation of bilirubin and its excretion—
Question: From what specific part of RBCs is bilirubin formed, and into what
is it put to be excreted?
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answer
Bilirubin is formed from the heme portion of the hemoglobin
of old RBCs.
Bilirubin is put into bile to be excreted in feces.
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Liver (continued)
6. Phagocytosis by Kupffer cells—
7. Storage—of vitamins:
Of minerals:
8. Detoxification—the liver produces enzymes:
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Wrap-Up Question
Name the part or aspect of the digestive system described.
1. Produces amylase and lipase
2. Chewing increases surface area of food
3. Increase surface area of intestinal cells
4. Enzyme that begins protein digestion
5. Stores and concentrates bile
6. Prevents backup from the duodenum
7. Brain of the gut
8. Extends from mouth to anus
Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015
Answers
1. Produces amylase and lipase—pancreas
2. Chewing increases surface area of food—mechanical
digestion
3. Increase surface area of intestinal cells—microvilli
4. Enzyme that begins protein digestion—pepsin
5. Stores and concentrates bile—gallbladder
6. Prevents backup from the duodenum—pyloric sphincter
7. Brain of the gut—enteric nervous system
8. Extends from mouth to anus—alimentary tube

Ch 16 Digestive system

  • 1.
    Essentials of Anatomyand Physiology, Seventh Edition Valerie C. Scanlon and Tina Sanders Copyright © F.A. Davis Company 2015 Chapter 16 The Digestive System
  • 2.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 The digestive system breaks down complex food into simple chemicals. The chemical end products of digestion are absorbed into the blood or lymph and utilized by cells. Divisions of the digestive system: Alimentary tube—extends from the mouth to the anus— Accessory organs—contribute to digestion—
  • 3.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Types of digestion: Mechanical—breaks food into smaller pieces, increases surface area: Chemical—enzymes change complex organics to simple organics; each enzyme is specific: End products of digestion: Carbohydrates— Proteins— Fats— Other end products—
  • 4.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Oral Cavity Teeth and tongue break up food and mix it with saliva. Tooth structure: Enamel covers the crown— Dentin is within the enamel, forms the roots— Pulp cavity—contains blood vessels and nerve endings: Periodontal membrane—lines the tooth socket: Questions: The set of deciduous teeth typically consists of how many? The set of permanent teeth?
  • 5.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answers The set of deciduous teeth usually consists of 20 teeth. The set of permanent teeth usually consists of 32 teeth.
  • 6.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Oral Cavity (continued) The tongue is made of skeletal muscle. Motor nerves—hypoglossal Papillae on the upper surface contain taste buds. Sensory nerves— Other functions: Chewing— Swallowing—
  • 7.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Oral Cavity (continued) Salivary glands—ducts take saliva to the oral cavity. Parotid— Submandibular— Sublingual— Saliva—mostly water: Lysozyme— Amylase digests starch to maltose.
  • 8.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Pharynx—food passageway from the oral cavity to the esophagus; no digestion takes place. Contraction of pharyngeal constrictor muscles— Esophagus—food passageway from the pharynx to the stomach; no digestion takes place. Lower esophageal sphincter: at the junction with the stomach—
  • 9.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Structure of the Alimentary Tube—four layers are typically present. Mucosa—the lining Epithelium—produces the digestive secretions: Lymph nodules—contain macrophages: Submucosa—areolar connective tissue: Meissner’s (submucosal) plexus—part of the enteric nervous system:
  • 10.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Structure of the Alimentary Tube (continued) External muscle layer—an inner circular and an outer longitudinal layer— Function: Auerbach’s (myenteric) plexus—part of the enteric nervous system: Questions: What effect do parasympathetic impulses have on peristalsis? Sympathetic impulses?
  • 11.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answers Parasympathetic impulses increase peristalsis (motility). Sympathetic impulses decrease peristalsis.
  • 12.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Structure of the Alimentary Tube (continued) Serosa (outer layer)—above the diaphragm; it is fibrous connective tissue. Below the diaphragm, it is the visceral peritoneum or mesentery. The peritoneum (parietal) lines the abdominal cavity. Questions: What kind of membranes are the peritoneum and mesentery? What do they produce, and what is its function?
  • 13.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answers The peritoneum and mesentery are serous membranes that produce serous fluid. Serous fluid prevents friction between the serous layers.
  • 14.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Stomach—in the upper left abdominal quadrant (see Tables 16–1 and 16–2) Functions: A reservoir for food: Begins the digestion of proteins Parts: Cardiac orifice: Body: Pylorus: Pyloric sphincter:
  • 15.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Stomach (continued) Mucosa—rugae: Gastric pits—the glands Mucus cells: Chief cells: Parietal cells: G cells: External muscle layer—three layers: Question: Which cranial nerve pair innervates the stomach?
  • 16.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answer The vagus nerves innervate the stomach (and intestines).
  • 17.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Small Intestine—extends from the stomach to the cecum; encircled by the large intestine Parts: Duodenum: Jejunum: Ileum: Mucosa—many cells have microvilli: Peyer’s patches: External muscle layer—two layers: The completion of digestion requires secretions from the liver and pancreas as well as from the small intestine.
  • 18.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Liver—two large lobes in the upper right and center of the abdominal cavity (see Tables 16–1 and 16–2) Liver lobules—the structural units: Hepatocytes: Sinusoids: Branches of hepatic artery and portal vein: Central veins of the lobules  hepatic vein  Digestive function—production of bile to emulsify fats: Bile canaliculi  hepatic duct  Secretin—a hormone of the duodenum:
  • 19.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Gallbladder—on the undersurface of the right lobe of the liver Functions: Stores bile Concentrates bile Cystic duct— Cholecystokinin—a hormone of the duodenum:
  • 20.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Pancreas—extends from the curve of the duodenum to the spleen Acini—secrete enzymes into small ducts  pancreatic duct Pancreatic amylase: Lipase: Trypsin: Bicarbonate pancreatic juice: Effect of secretin: Effect of cholecystokinin:
  • 21.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Completion of Digestion—in the small intestine (see Tables 16–1 and 16–2) Bile salts emulsify fats. Pancreatic enzymes break down all three food types. Intestinal glands: crypts of Lieberkühn: Peptidases: Sucrase, maltase, and lactase: Enteroendocrine cells:
  • 22.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Absorption of End Products of Digestion Intestinal surface area is increased by: Circular folds: Villi: Microvilli: Within each villus: A capillary network—water-soluble end products: A lacteal—fat-soluble end products:
  • 23.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Absorption (continued) Mechanisms of absorption: Active transport— Passive transport— Osmosis— Special requirements: For vitamin B12— For calcium ions— For fat-soluble nutrients— Question: To what organ does blood from the small intestine flow first?
  • 24.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answer Blood from the small intestine flows through the portal vein to the liver.
  • 25.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Large Intestine—from the ileum to the anus; encircles the small intestine Parts: Cecum Ileocecal valve Appendix Ascending, transverse, and descending colon Sigmoid colon Rectum and anal canal Internal and external anal sphincters
  • 26.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Large Intestine (continued) Functions: Absorption of water: Elimination of undigestible material: Normal flora (microbiota) of the colon—trillions of bacteria Benefits:
  • 27.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Large Intestine (continued) Elimination of feces: defecation reflex Stimulus—stretching of the rectum, sensory impulses to spinal cord Motor impulses from spinal cord to smooth muscle layer of rectum— Internal anal sphincter—smooth muscle— External anal sphincter—striated muscle— Voluntary control—
  • 28.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Liver—other functions 1. Carbohydrate metabolism—excess glucose— Fructose and galactose— 2. Amino acid metabolism—transamination— Deamination— Excess amino groups  3. Fat metabolism—synthesis of lipoproteins— Cholesterol— Beta-oxidation of fatty acids—
  • 29.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Liver (continued) 4. Synthesis of plasma proteins: Albumin— Clotting factors— Alpha and beta globulins— 5. Formation of bilirubin and its excretion— Question: From what specific part of RBCs is bilirubin formed, and into what is it put to be excreted?
  • 30.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answer Bilirubin is formed from the heme portion of the hemoglobin of old RBCs. Bilirubin is put into bile to be excreted in feces.
  • 31.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Liver (continued) 6. Phagocytosis by Kupffer cells— 7. Storage—of vitamins: Of minerals: 8. Detoxification—the liver produces enzymes:
  • 32.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Wrap-Up Question Name the part or aspect of the digestive system described. 1. Produces amylase and lipase 2. Chewing increases surface area of food 3. Increase surface area of intestinal cells 4. Enzyme that begins protein digestion 5. Stores and concentrates bile 6. Prevents backup from the duodenum 7. Brain of the gut 8. Extends from mouth to anus
  • 33.
    Copyright © F.A.Davis Company 2015 Answers 1. Produces amylase and lipase—pancreas 2. Chewing increases surface area of food—mechanical digestion 3. Increase surface area of intestinal cells—microvilli 4. Enzyme that begins protein digestion—pepsin 5. Stores and concentrates bile—gallbladder 6. Prevents backup from the duodenum—pyloric sphincter 7. Brain of the gut—enteric nervous system 8. Extends from mouth to anus—alimentary tube