The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients that the body can use. It includes the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. In the oral cavity, teeth break down food and saliva contains enzymes to begin digestion. The esophagus transports food to the stomach where acids and enzymes break it down. The small intestine further digests and absorbs nutrients while the large intestine absorbs water before waste is eliminated. The liver, pancreas and gallbladder produce bile and enzymes to aid digestion.

1. Digestive System

2. Digestive System
• provides the nutrients needed by the body
 Ingestion - intake of food
 Mastication - the process of chewing
 Deglutition - swallowing
Peristalsis - wavelike movement that propels the food
 Digestion - breakdown of food
 Absorption - extracting nutrients
 Elimination - removal of waste products

3. Digestive System

4. Digestive System

5. Oral Cavity
• Mechanically breaks down the food through
mastication
• Lubricates the food to ease deglutition (a.k.a.
swallowing

6. Salivary Glands
• Moistens the food
• Produce salivary amylase (enzyme) to digest carbohydrates
1. Parotid - located near the ear
2. Submandibular - located under the lower jaw
3. Sublingual - located under the tongue

7. Teeth
• Breaks the food into small pieces
• Consists of
crown
root
• Attached to the gums through the root

8. Kinds of Teeth
1. Incisor - cut the food; located anteriorly
2. Cuspid - tear the food; located antero-laterally
3. Pre-Molar - Grinds the food; located laterally
4. Molar -Grinds the food; located postero-laterally

9. Pharynx
• Tube that connects the oral cavity to esophagus
1. Nasopharynx - most superior part located behind the nasal cavity
2. Oropharynx - located adjacent to the oral cavity
3. Hypopharynx - located below the oropharynx

10. Esophagus
• muscular, mucus-lined tube that
connects the throat to the stomach
• Has a sphincter at the end to
permit passage of food towards the
stomach (Lower Esophageal
Sphincter, Gastroesophageal
Sphincter, Cardiac Sphincter)
• Sphincter - a ringlike muscle that
serves as entrance or exit body
fluids or materials

11. Stomach
• expandable saclike
vessel located between
the esophagus and the
small intestines
3 Main Functions:
1. Begins the process chemical
digestion of protein by
gastric acids (hydrochloric
acid) and enzymes. [Food
mixed with gastric juices
and enzymes is called
chyme]
2. Aid in the mechanical
digestion of the food
3. Move the chyme to the
small intestine

12. Stomach
3 Main Sections
1. Fundus - area of the stomach that abuts the diaphragm
2. Body (a.k.a. Corporis) - central part of the stomach
3. Pylorus (a.k.a. gastric antrum) - distal end of the stomach, where the small
intestine begins
Cardia - portion of the stomach that surrounds the esophagogastric connection (so
named because of its proximity to the heart).

13. Stomach
• Rugae - the appearance of the stomach being lined with many
ridges or wrinkles.

14. Small Intestine
• Absorbs digested proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
1. Duodenum - “C” shaped structure lying adjacent to the stomach
2. Jejunum - involve in magnesium absorption
3. Ileum - contains Peyer’s patches for immunity; involve in vitamin
B12 absorption

15. Duodenum
1. Superior
2. Descending
3. Horizontal
4. Ascending

16. • Eliminates waste products from the body
• Involve in vitamin K synthesis through the help of normal
colonic bacteria
• Involve in water re-absorption
Large Intestine

17. Large Intestine
• Ileocecal Valve - junction between the small and the large
intestine.
• Cecum - the first part of the large intestine
• Vermiform appendix - wormlike structure in the cecum
[appendicitis, appendectomy]

18. Large Intestine
Parts of the Colon
• Ascending
• Hepatic Flexure
• Transverse
• Splenic Flexure
• Descending
• Sigmoid
• Rectum - held the feces
temporarily before
elimination

19. Anus
Internal & External Sphincter - guards the exit of the feces
Defecation - the process of releasing the feces from the body
(a.k.a. Bowel movement)

20. Accessory Organs
1. Liver
2. Gallbladder
3. Pancreas

21. Liver
• Divided into 3 lobes: Right, Left & Caudate
• Manufacture bile, which emulsifies, or mechanically breaks down,
fats into smaller particles so that they can be chemically digested
• Bile is composed of bilirubin, the waste product formed by the
normal breakdown of hemoglobin and cholesterol

22. Gallbladder
• small sac for storage of bile found on the
underside of the right lobe of the liver

23. Pancreas
• Located in the upper left quadrant
• Involve in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
• Produces pancreatic enzymes such as pancreatic amylase [digest
carbohydrates], pancreatic lipase [digest fats], and carboxypeptidase
[digest proteins]

24. Pancreas
• Head
• Neck
• Body
• Tail

25. Pancreas
• Ampulla of Vater - regulates the release of bile and pancreatic
enzymes
• Sphincter of Oddi - controls the introduction of bile and
pancreatic secretions into the duodenum
Ampulla of Vater
Sphincter of Oddi

26. Peritoneum
• Forms the lining of the abdominal cavity
• Outer layer is called parietal peritoneum
• Inner layer is called visceral peritoneum

27. Omentum
 Folds of peritoneum that connects the abdominal organs to each other
or to the abdominal wall
1. Lesser Omentum - attached to the lesser curvature of the stomach and
the liver (a.k.a. Gastrohepatic Omentum)
2. Greater Omentum - hangs from the greater curvature of the stomach
and loops down in front of the intestine (a.k.a. Gastrocolic Omentum)

28. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Ascites – excessive intraperitoneal fluid

29. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Diarrhea = Abnormal discharge of watery,
semisolid stools

30. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Dysphagia = Difficulty with swallowing that may
be due to an obstruction or spasm.

31. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Eructation = Release of air from the stomach through
the mouth. Eructation may be caused by rapid
eating or by intentionally or unintentionally
swallowing air (aerophagia). Also called
burping or belching.

32. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Flatulence = Gas expelled through the anus.
Also called flatus.

33. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Gastralgia = Abdominal pain. Also called
gastrodynia.

34. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Hepatomegaly = Enlargement of the liver.

35. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Jaundice = Yellowing of the skin and sclerae
(whites of the eyes) caused by elevated
levels of bilirubin. Also called icterus.

36. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Nausea = Sensation that accompanies the
urge to vomit but does not always lead
to vomiting.

37. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Pyrosis = Painful burning sensation in esophagus, usually
caused by reflux of stomach contents,
hyperactivity, or peptic ulcer. Also known as
heartburn

38. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Vomiting = Forcible or involuntary emptying of
the stomach through the mouth. The
material expelled is called vomitus or
emesis.

39. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Ankyloglossia = An inability to move the tongue freely as a result
of a congenital shortened frenulum. Also referred to
as being “tongue-tied”.

40. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

41. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
cleft palate = Failure of the palate to close during embryonic
development, creating an opening in the roof of the
mouth. Cleft palate often is accompanied by a cleft lip.

42. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Esophageal atresia = Esophagus that ends in a blind pouch
and therefore lacks an opening into the
stomach.

43. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

44. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Gastroschisis = A congenital opening in the anterior
abdominal wall.

45. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

46. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Hirschsprung’s disease = Congenital absence of normal nervous
function in part of the colon, which results in an absence of
peristaltic movement, accumulation of feces, and an
enlarged colon. Also called congenital megacolon

47. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Omphalocele = A congenital herniation at the umbilicus.
Also called exomphalos.

48. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
pyloric stenosis = Condition in which the muscle between
the stomach and the small intestine narrows
or fails to open adequately to allow partially
digested food into the duodenum.

49. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Anodontia = Either complete or partial lack of teeth. Also
referred to as edentulous.

50. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
aphthous stomatitis = Recurring condition characterized by small
erosions (ulcers), which appear on the mucous
membranes of the mouth. Also called a canker sore.

51. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Cheilitis = Inflammation of the lips.

52. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
dental caries = Plaque disease caused by an interaction
between food and bacteria in the mouth, leading to
tooth decay. Also called cavities.

53. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

54. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Glossitis = Inflammation of the tongue.

55. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
oral mucositis = Inflammation of the mucous
membranes of the mouth. Gastrointestinal
mucositis may be an adverse effect of
chemotherapy and can occur throughout
the GI tract.

56. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
oral leukoplakia = Condition of white patches that may
appear on the lips and buccal mucosa. It usually is
associated with tobacco use and may be
precancerous.

57. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Ptyalism = Condition of excessive salivation.

58. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Sialoadenitis = inflammation of a salivary gland.

59. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Sialolithiasis = Condition of stones in a salivary gland or
duct.

60. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Achalasia = Impairment of esophageal peristalsis along with the lower
esophageal sphincter’s inability to relax. Also called cardiospasm,
esophageal aperistalsis, and megaesophagus.

61. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Esophagitis = Inflammation of the esophagus.
Gastritis = Acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach that may
be accompanied by anorexia (lack of
appetite),nausea, and vomiting, or indigestion.

62. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
= Flowing back, or return, of the contents of the
stomach to the esophagus caused by an inability of the
lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to contract normally;
characterized by pyrosis with or without regurgitation of
stomach contents to the mouth.

63. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
peptic ulcer disease (PUD) = An erosion of the protective
mucosal lining of the stomach or
duodenum. Also called a gastric or
duodenal ulcer, depending on the site.

64. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Appendicitis = Inflammation of the vermiform appendix.
May be acute or chronic, with or without
peritonitis.

65. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
hiatal hernia = Protrusion of a portion of the stomach
through the diaphragm. Also known as a
diaphragmatic hernia and diaphragmatocele.

66. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

67. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Crohn’s disease = Inflammation of the ileum or the colon that is of
idiopathic origin
ulcerative colitis = Chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum
manifesting with bouts of profuse, watery
diarrhea.

68. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

69. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
anal fissure = Cracklike lesion of the skin around the anus.

70. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
anorectal abscess = Circumscribed area of inflammation in
the anus or rectum, containing pus.

71. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Diverticulosis = Development of diverticula, pouches
in the lining of the intestines both large and small.
Diverticulitis = Inflammation occurring secondary to the
occurrence of diverticulosis.

72. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

73. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Ileus = Obstruction. Paralytic ileus is lack of peristaltic movement in
the intestinal tract. Also called adynamic ileus

74. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Intussusception = Inward telescoping of the intestines.

75. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
polyp of colon = Benign growth on the mucous membrane
of large intestine.

76. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Proctitis = Inflammation of the rectum and anus. Also
called rectitis.

77. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Proctoptosis = Prolapse of the rectum outside of the
anus.

78. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Volvulus = Twisting of the intestine.

79. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Cirrhosis = Chronic degenerative disease of the liver, commonly
associated with alcohol abuse, chronic liver disease, and
biliary tract disorders.

80. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System

81. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Cholangitis = Inflammation of the bile vessels.

82. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Cholecystitis = Inflammation of the gallbladder, either
acute or chronic. May be caused by
choledocholithiasis or cholelithiasis.

83. Medical Terminology related to
Digestive System
Choledocholithiasis = Presence of stones in the common bile
duct.
Cholelithiasis = Presence of stones (calculi) in the gallbladder,
sometimes characterized by right upper quadrant
pain (biliary colic) with nausea and vomiting.

84. Thank You
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