THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEMStructure and Function

System Overview

• The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into a state in which it can be absorbed into the blood stream. It starts in the mouth, where chewing and saliva initially break down food.

• The stomach churns it and turn it into chyme, sending it then to the small intestine.

• The small intestine lets blood absorb nutrients from the food and the large intestine removes water from the food, making solid stool. The rectum then takes the stool and the anus controls its release.

• We will go into more depth in this presentation.

The Mouth• The mouth is where

the digestive system begins.

• It chews food and combines it with saliva which brings it to a form that is easier for your stomach to break down.

Esophagus

• The esophagus starts in the throat, or pharynx.

• It then proceeds to trachea and then into the stomach in the abdomen region.

• Its main purpose is to move chewed food from the mouth to the stomach.

• The food is delivered to the stomach by a series of muscular contractions also known as peristalsis.

• It plays no purpose in actually absorbing food.

Stomach

• The stomach receives Bolus, or chewed food, from the esophagus and excretes acids and enzymes that break down the food.

• Peristalsis is the process of churning that the stomach does to help break down food.

• It releases proteases, which are enzymes that break down protein.

• The stomach is located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity, between the small intestine and esophagus.

Small Intestine• The small intestine is a 22 foot

long tube that turns the semi digested matter in the stomach into a liquid form so nutrients can be extracted.

• The broken down food in the stomach enters the small intestine through a valve that lets it in.

• In the liquid state, the small intestine takes out nutrients from food that the body uses.

• The small intestine uses enzymes from the pancreas.

• It also uses bile from the liver to help break down food.

Colon• The colon is also known as the large

intestine.• It is six feet in length.• The main function of the colon is to

prepare the waste for excretion of the body.

• The colon takes the liquid stool from the small intestine and in the end turns it into a solid state.

• The colon takes out the water from stool so it becomes solid and stores it.

• Usually about once or twice per day, a “movement” of the bowels occur and the stored solid stool will move into the rectum, where it is released.

• The colon is broken into three main parts; ascending, transverse, and descending.

• The ascending colon and descending go vertical, while the transverse is horizontal.

Rectum/Anus• The rectum is an eight inch

chamber that receives solid waste from the end of the descending colon.

• It hold the stool for a brief period of time, before the sphincter muscles of the anus release, letting the stool go out of the body.

• The role of the rectum and anus is to release waste from the body.

• They have no real purpose in the actual absorption of nutrients.

Gallbladder• The gallbladder is

located under the liver and releases bile that helps the body break down fatty food.

• It can sense when fatty food enters the stomach, and thus releases liquids that help break down the fats.

• It is about eight inches in length and four inches in diameter.

The Liver

• The liver is the vital organ located above the stomach that is responsible for filtering toxins from food.

• It also provides the stomach with bile which helps it break down fatty foods.

• This makes the gallbladder a non-vital organ, while the liver is a vital organ.

Pancreas• The pancreas is

located at the end of the stomach, near the opening of the small intestine.

• It excretes enzymes that help in the digestion of food.

• It also serves a purpose in excreting hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Digestive System Disorders and Diseases!

By Vinny Fushetto

Appendicitis • Appendicitis is an irritation,

inflammation, and infection of the appendix.

• Appendicitis isnt a really important part of the immune system but if infected can cause death.

• The appendix can rupture 48 to 72 hours if you don’t get medical attention fast enough.

• If you feel pain by your appendix make sure you seek medical attention.

Celiac Disease • Celiac disease is a

digestive disease that damages the small intestine.

• Because of a sensitivity to gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats.

• This disease interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.

• If you eat gluten this disease damages your small intestines.

Crohns Disease• Is a disease where an

inflammatory bowel disease that is a extreme condition that may occur at various times over a lifetime.

• Crohn's disease is also called ileitis or enteritis.

• It damages the smaller intestine.

• In some cases the small and large intestines are damaged.

Hemorrhoids • Hemorrhoids are blood

vessels, that are in and around the anus and lower rectum, that have become swollen due to stretching and pressure.

• These are very common in both men and women, and about half the population have hemorrhoids by age 50.

• This isnt a life threatening disease.

• Very common in pregnant women.

Gastritis • Gastritis is an

inflammation of the stomach lining.

• Drinking to much alcohol and smoking and eating spicy food is what can give you this disease.

• There are many different ways that cause this disorder but these are just some of them.

• Stay away from consuming to much of these items if you don’t want this disease.

Stomach Cancer

• Is cancer that starts in any part of the stomach.

• It is also called gastric cancer.

• This is a very life threatening disease.

• A lot of people in America pass away each year from this disease.

• The earlier it is found and treated the better.

Gastroparesis

• Gastroparesis is a stomach disorder in which the stomach takes too long emptying out everything.

• If food remains in the stomach for too long, it can cause problems such as bacterial overgrowth from the food sitting.

• The food can also harden in to solid masses called, bezoars which may cause vomiting or nausea.

Ulcers• An ulcer is an open sore, or

lesion, usually found on the skin or mucous membrane areas of the body.

• About 25 million Americans develop at least one ulcer during their lifetime.

• 5 Million people get affected each year due to ulcers.

• Stomach ulcers are called gastric ulcers

• There are many different palaces that you can have ulcers.

Gallstones

• Gallstones are hard, pebble-like deposits that form inside the gallbladder.

• Gallstones may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.

• Gallstones are usually discovered in an annual x-ray.

• This is not a life threatening disease.

Part 3 – Lindsey Bernoskie

Sudden Illnesses/ First Aid/ Emergency of the Digestive System

Pictures!

What are the most common sudden illnesses in the Digestive System?

• Hiccups

• Heartburn/Acid Reflux

• Throw up

• Diarrhea

Useful Terms 2• Coughing - an important way to keep your throat and

airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying problem.

• Endoscope - a procedure that uses a lighted, flexible endoscope to see inside the upper GI tract.

• Dysentery- an inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing mucus and/or blood in the feces with fever and abdominal pain.

• Dysbiosis- poor digestive function• Leaky Gut Syndrome- the name given for the condition

that allows larger food particles to pass through the gut wall.

Useful Terms • Diarrhea- is the condition of having three or more

loose or liquid bowel movements per day.• Hiccups - is an esophageal contraction of the

diaphragm that repeats several times per minute.• Digestive System - is the mechanical and chemical

breaking down of food into smaller components that can be absorbed into a blood stream, for instance.

• Heartburn- also known as acid reflux, is a painful and burning sensation in the esophagus, just behind the breastbone, usually associated with regurgitation of gastric acid.

• Irritable bowel syndrome refers to a disorder of the lower intestinal tract. It involves abdominal pain and abnormal bowel movements. Emotional stress often makes the symptoms worse.

Hiccups

• Causes of hiccups– Eating too much – Drinking carbonated

beverages – Excessive

consumption of alcohol

– Sudden temperature changes

– Excitement or emotional stress

What is a hiccup?

A Hiccup is defined as the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm — the muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and plays an important role in breathing.

- Prevention of Hiccups DON’T:

- Eat large meals - Drink

carbonated beverages or alcohol

- Have Sudden changes in

temperature

Heartburn/ Acid Reflux

• Symptoms – Burping – Nausea after

eating – Stomach fullness

or bloating – Upper abdominal

pain and discomfort

Acid Reflux and Heartburn is defined as: A common condition and an abnormal one in which acid in the stomach rises up into the esophagus.

Prevention -People with heartburn should avoid or reduce consumption of foods and beverages that contain caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, spearmint, and alcohol. - Physicians often advise patients with Acid Reflux to cut down on fatty foods.- Increasing protein may help strengthen -Whole grain products -Eat fruits and vegetables, although avoid acidic vegetables and fruits

Diarrhea

• What are Causes of Diarrhea?

• Viruses• Bacteria and parasites• Medications• Lactose• Fructose • Artificial sweeteners• Surgery 

Symptoms of Diarrhea?-Frequent, loose, watery stools-Abdominal cramps-Abdominal pain-Fever-Blood in the stool-Bloating

How to treat Diarrhea?-Drinking lots of fluids-Eat probiotic yogurt.-BRAT diet: bananas, rice, apples or applesauce, and dry toast.-Avoid diarrhea medications

Diarrhea is defined as: A familiar phenomenon with unusually frequent or unusually liquid bowel movements, excessive watery evacuations of fecal material.

Throw Up/ Vomit• Throw up or vomit is defined as:To

eject part or all of the contents of the stomach through the mouth, usually in a series of involuntary spasmic movements.

Symptoms Of Vomiting:-Involuntary expulsion of food from mouth and nose -Increased saliva -Dizziness -Light-headedness -Difficulty in swallowing food or liquid -Changes in skin temperature -Increase in heartbeat rate -Increased sensitivity to certain smells -Changes in the taste of some foods

Prevention: DON’T EAT FAST or FOODS YOU DON’T LIKE

Causes of Vomiting: -central causes (signals from the brain)-association with another illnesses -medications and medical treatments

This is a picture of acid reflux - which is the burning in or around your

stomach from eating food.

Diarrhea causes death amongst young children and is just too much water in the stool. Diarrhea could also lead to dehydration.

The End