Ach25 S

Ch25: Digestive System
Objectives:
Discuss the general functions and anatomy

of the digestive tract
Describe the individual organs of the

system, including a discussion of the gross
and microscopic anatomy.
Digestive
System
consists of:
Muscular, hollow tube (= “digestive tract”)

+
Various accessory organs
The function of the system as a
Function whole is processing food in such a
Individual parts way that high energy molecules can
function in: be absorbed and residues
 ingestion eliminated.
 mechanical digestion
 chemical and enzymatic digestion
 secretion
 absorption
 compaction
 excretion and elimination
Histological Organization
Tube made up
of four layers. 2
1
Modifications
along its Muscularis
3 externa
length as
needed.
4
The 4 Layers of the Gut Fig 25.2
1) Mucosa
Epithelium – usually simple columnar with goblets; may be stratified squamous if
protection needed
Lamina propria - connective tissue deep to epithelium
Muscularis mucosae -produces folds - plicae (small intestine) or rugae (stomach)
2) Submucosa – made up of loose connective tissue contains submucosal plexus
and blood vessels
3) Muscularis externa – smooth muscle, usually two layers (controlled by the

myenteric plexus ) -
outer layer: longitudinal
inner layer: circular
4) Serosa
visceral layer of mesentery or adventitia depending on location
Membranes
Peritoneum - generic serous membrane in abdominal
cavity
Mesenteries - double sheets of peritoneum, surrounding
and suspending portions of the digestive organs
 Greater omentum - "fatty apron", hangs anteriorly from stomach,

double layer encloses fat
 Lesser omentum - between stomach and liver
 Mesentery proper - suspends and wraps the small intestine
 Mesocolon - suspends and wraps the colon, parts are
i. transverse mesocolon
ii. sigmoid mesocolon
Fig. 25.4
Oral Cavity
 Also called buccal cavity - lined

with oral mucosa (type of
epithelium ?)
 Hard and soft palates - form roof
of mouth
 Tongue - skeletal muscle
 Salivary glands - three pairs
 Teeth
Three pairs of Salivary Glands
1-1.5 l / day for

digestion (?)
lubrication (swallowing)
moistening (tasting)
 Parotid – lateral side of face, anterior to ear, drain by parotid

duct to vestibule near 2nd upper molar
– mumps
 Submandibular – medial surface of mandible – drain near
lingual frenulum drain posterior to lower molars
 Sublingual – in floor of mouth - drain near frenulum
Structure of Teeth
Crown - exposed surface of tooth

Neck - boundary between root and crown
Fig 25.7
Enamel - outer surface
Dentin – bone-like, but noncellular
Pulp cavity - hollow with blood vessels and
nerves
Root canal - canal length of root
gingival sulcus - where gum and tooth meet
Types and Numbers of Teeth
Dental succession
Deciduous (baby, milk) teeth - 20, replaced by
Permanent teeth - 32 teeth
Gross Anatomy of the Stomach
Lesser curvature
Greater curvature
Cardia - end under the heart
Fundus - bulge above the esophageal opening
Body - largest region
Pylorus - J curve, inferior end, terminates in
Cardiac and Pyloric sphincters (importance?)
Rugae – highly extendable interior folds
Figs 25-10/11
Histology of Stomach Fig 25.13
Type of epithelium lining stomach?
Gastric pits – shallow pits, external half rapidly reproduces for

replacement
Gastric glands – deep in lamina propria, 3 types of cells

1. Parietal cells (produce HCl and intrinsic factor)
2. Chief cells (produce pepsinogen)
3. Enteroendocrine cells – G cells (several hormones
including gastrin which stimulates both parietal and chief cells)
Regions of Small Intestine
SI is longest part of dig. tube

 Duodenum (short, 12 inches)
– fixed shape & position
– Mixing bowl for chyme & ?
 Jejunum (2.5 m long)

– Most of digestion
 Ileum (longest at 3.5 m)

– Most of absorption, ends in
 Ileocecal valve – slit valve into large intestine (colon)

Structure of Small Intestinal Wall Fig 25.15
Plicae circulares – circular pleats around the interior of the small

intestine
Villi – minute finger-like projections, contain capillaries & lacteals
Microvilli – sub-microscopic size, projections on single cells
Function of all three?
Intestinal glands (crypts)

– intestinal juice production
– Cell regeneration
Histology in lab
Regions of Large Intestine
Cecum – pocket at proximal end with
Appendix
Colon
Ascending colon - on right, between
cecum and right colic flexure
Transverse colon - horizontal portion
Descending colon - left side,
between left colic flexure and
Fig 25-17
Sigmoid colon - S bend near
terminal end
Rectum – terminal end is anal canal - ending at the anus -
which has internal involuntary sphincter and external voluntary
sphincter
Histology of Large Intestine
1. Mucosa - abundant goblet cells,

stratified squamous epithelium near anal
canal
2. No villi
3. Longitudinal muscle layer incomplete,
forms three bands or taenia coli
4. Circular muscle - forms pockets or
haustra between bands
Fig 25.19
Liver
On right under diaphragm, largest
organ made up of 4 lobes (left and
right, caudate, and quadrate)
Hilus (porta hepatis) – underside

"entry" point
Extremely versatile: Know a few functions?
Gall bladder
Blood supply to liver

Fig 25.20
Microscopic anatomy: Liver lobules and triads Fig 25.21

Pancreas
 Retroperitoneal
 Endocrine or
exocrine gland?
 Common bile duct
and pancreatic duct
lead to duodenal
ampulla and papilla Compare to Figs 25-22 / 23

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Ch25: Digestive System

Discuss the general functions and anatomy

Describe the individual organs of the

Muscular, hollow tube (= “digestive tract”)

3) Muscularis externa – smooth muscle, usually two layers (controlled by the

 Greater omentum - "fatty apron", hangs anteriorly from stomach,

 Also called buccal cavity - lined

1-1.5 l / day for

 Parotid – lateral side of face, anterior to ear, drain by parotid

Crown - exposed surface of tooth

Type of epithelium lining stomach?

Gastric pits – shallow pits, external half rapidly reproduces for

Gastric glands – deep in lamina propria, 3 types of cells

SI is longest part of dig. tube

 Jejunum (2.5 m long)

 Ileum (longest at 3.5 m)

 Ileocecal valve – slit valve into large intestine (colon)

Plicae circulares – circular pleats around the interior of the small

Intestinal glands (crypts)

1. Mucosa - abundant goblet cells,

Hilus (porta hepatis) – underside

Extremely versatile: Know a few functions?

Blood supply to liver

Microscopic anatomy: Liver lobules and triads Fig 25.21

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