DigestionThe Function of the Digestive System

Digestion

• The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food for use

• ABSORPTION– The passage of digested

food from the digestive tract into the circulatory system.

• ELIMINATION– The expulsion of

undigested food or body waste.

• MASTICATION• Break food into smaller pieces

• SALIVA• Lubricates and breaks

down food

•TONGUE•Forms food into a ball preparing it to be swallowed

• ESOPHAGUS• Food passes through the

esophagus to the stomach by peristalsis

• STOMACH• Flexible- expands when

you eat.

• Continues to breakdown the food

• Stores food until it enters the small intestine

• Mixes gastric juices with the food while it continues the breakdown process

• Controls food entering the small intestine

• SMALL INTESTINE• Chyme enters the small

intestine at the duodenum• From the duodenum it is

then passed to the jejunum• The small intestine is

lined with villi especially the jejunum

• Villi increases the surface area for increased food absorption

• Unabsorbed materials leave the small intestine and enter the large intestine

~LARGE INTESTINE

(COLON)

• Absorbs water, vitamins, minerals and salts into the blood

• Eliminates undigested food

Liver

• Breaks down drugs and poisons into water soluble substances

• Excretes this substance into the bile

Gallbladder

• Releases bile into the duodenum to breakdown fat substances

Pancreas-Releases three digestive enzymes to breakdown food

• Trypsin ~ digests protein

• Amylase ~ digests carbohydrates

• Lipase ~ digests fats

CARE FOR THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Eat a variety of foods

Eat foods low in fat and high fiber

Eat slowly

Do not wash food down with liquid

Drink plenty of water

Avoid using food to cope with stress

Indigestion

• Eating too much

• Eating too quickly

• Eating certain foods

• Eating while stressed

Heartburn

• Stomach acid flowing into the esophagus

Diarrhea• Food passing to quickly

through the large intestine

• Changing eating styles

• Food poisoning

• Overeating

• Emotional turmoil

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Bacterial or viral infection

Constipation

• Food passes to slowly through the large intestine

• Lack of fiber

• Erratic eating habits

• Drinking to little water

• Lack of exercise

Gallstones

• Small crystals that form in the gallbladder when chemical composition of the bile is disrupted

Appendicitis

• Bacteria or foreign substances lodged in the appendix

• Fills with puss • Pain and cramps lower

right portion of the abdomen

• Fever

• Loss of appetite• Nausea• Vomiting• Surgical removal of

the appendix

Lactose Intolerance

• Sugar present in milk

• Lack of lactase enzyme to breakdown lactose

• Cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhea

Gastritis

• Inflammation of the mucus membrane that lines the stomach

• Irritation from foods, aspirin, smoke, tobacco, alcohol, or bacteria

• Pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting

• Medication to coat the lining of the stomach

Peptic ulcer

• Sore in the lining of the digestive tract

• Esophagus, stomach or duodenum

• Damage to the protective lining

• Aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory medication, tobacco, infection.

Colitis

• Inflammation of the colon

• Bacterial or viral infection

• Diarrhea with blood and mucus, abdominal pain and fever

Hemorrhoids

• Swollen veins in the anus or rectum

• Constipation, sitting or pregnancy

• Exercise, fiber

• Tooth Decay