Accessory Organs of the

Digestive System

Teeth• Know:– 4 types & functions– Humans have 32

(most have their 4 wisdom teeth removed)

Salivary Glands• 3 pairs – Parotid glands– Submandibular– Sublingual

• Secrete saliva (mix of mucus and serous fluid) into mouth– Moistens food into a mass bolus– Contains salivary amylase begins to break down

starches– Has lysozymes and antibodies that kill bacteria

Mumps• Inflammation of the parotid salivary gland– Swelling, tenderness

• Incidence has decreased since MMR vaccines

Pancreas• Makes enzymes that

break down all food types (carbs, proteins, fats)

• Enzymes secreted in duodenum in alkaline fluid

• Produces hormones: insulin and glucagon that go into the blood

Liver• Largest gland• Digestive function – produces bile

(goes to duodenum via bile duct)–When bile is not needed stored in gallbladder

Liver

• Cirrhosis – chronic inflammation of the liver; becomes hard and fibrous– often caused by drinking too much alcohol– also caused by hepatitis

•Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver

- Often due to viral infection spread in contaminated water, needles, or blood-blood contact

Gallbladder• Sac on inferior surface of liver that

stores bile (inc. concentration)

• Gallstones – too much water removed from bile & cholesterol crystallizes

• Jaundiced – bile pigments back up and skin/eyes become yellow