HUMAN

DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
Mrs. Hiyasmin U. Gutierrez, RMT
Instructor
OBJECTIVES:
• 1. Define
digestive system

2. Differentiate

physical and
chemical
OBJECTIVES:
3. Identify the main
parts of the human
digestive system
(mouth, salivary
glands, esophagus,
stomach, small
intestine, liver, gall
bladder, pancreas, large
intestine, rectum and
anus).
OBJECTIVES:
4. Describe the
functions of the mouth,
salivary glands,
esophagus and stomach
in relation to ingestion,
movement of food
along the gut, physical
and chemical digestion.
OBJECTIVES:
5. Describe peristalsis
in terms of rhythmic
wave-like contractions
of the circular and
longitudinal muscles to
mix and propel food
along the alimentary
canal.
1. What is the digestive system?

a. The body's breathing system

b. The body's system of nerves

c. The body's food-processing system

d. The body's blood-transporting system

2. Digestion begins in the mouth. Which of
the
following statement is INCORRECT?

a. The tongue aids in the digestion of the food.

b. The saliva changes some of the starches in the food

to sugar.

c. The tongue keeps the food in place in the mouth

while the food is being chewed.

d. The digestive juices can react more easily with the

food when chewed.
3. Where does food pass through between
the mouth and the stomach?

a. The gullet

b. The rectum

c. The small intestine

d. The large intestine

4. Our throat divides into two
separate tubes: the windpipe and
the gullet. What prevents food
from entering the windpipe?
a. The uvula

b. The tongue

c. The trachea

d. The epiglottis
5. What happens when food reaches the
stomach?

a. Nothing. No digestion occurs in the

stomach.
b. The food moves quickly into the small
intestine.
c. Juices mix with the food and stomach
muscles squeeze it.
d. The food is completely digested and is
absorbed by tiny blood vessels in the
walls of the stomach.
6. Where does the partly-digested food
(in
liquid form) go after it leaves the
stomach?
a. The gullet

b. The appendix

c. The small intestine

7. How does digested food finally reach
the bloodstream?

a. It passes through the gullet into the

blood.
b. It is absorbed into the blood through
blood vessels.
c. It is absorbed into the blood through
the walls of the lungs.
d. It passes from the small intestine into
the large intestine, then into the blood.
8. The digestive system processes food into
usable and unusable materials. The usable
materials are sent to the body's cells as
food. What happens to unusable materials?
a. It goes into the pancreas to await disposal.

b. It goes to the right ventricle to await

disposal.
c. It goes into the large intestine to await
disposal.
d. It goes into the small intestine to await
disposal.
9. Solid waste leaves the body through
the rectum then the anus. Liquid waste
leaves the body after passing through
the ...
a. kidneys and bladder
b. blood vessels and lungs
c. large intestine and bowel
d. small intestine and large
intestine
10. Digestion takes place in a long tube-like
canal called the alimentary canal, or the
digestive tract. Food travels through these
organs in the following order:
a. Mouth, gullet, stomach, small intestine,
large intestine and rectum
b. Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, large
intestine, small intestine and rectum
c. Mouth, stomach, oesophagus, small
intestine, large intestine and rectum
d. Mouth, stomach, gullet, small
intestine,
LABEL THE
PARTS
OF THE
DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
 What is meant by
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM??
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The system by which ingested
food is acted upon by physical
and chemical means to provide
the body absorbable nutrients
and to excrete waste products;
 This system includes the
alimentary canal extending
from mouth to anus and the
accessory digestive organs
including hormones and
enzymes assisting in digestion.
 f Di g e s ti v e
Functions o
System
1. To break down large
food molecules into
simpler and
soluble molecules.

2. To prepare nutrients for

absorption by cells -
The small, soluble molecules
diffuse from the alimentary canal
into the bloodstream to be transported to the cells of the body.
 e s se s i n t h e D ig es t i v e
5P ro c
System 2) Digestion –
1) Ingestion – Complex food
Process of taking molecules are broken
in foods/liquids down into smaller,
(eating
4) Absorption – soluble molecules that
Digested food are can be absorbed into
absorbed into the the body cells
body cells 3. Propulsion – alternating
contraction and relaxation of
5) Secretion – Cells smooth muscle in the
within the walls of the walls of GI and propel food
GIT and accessory
organs secrete a total 6) Egestion
towards/the
Defecation–
anus
of 7L of water, acid Removal of undigested
and enzymes food substances
Processes of the Digestive System

Figure 14.11
Food digestion in human works on process :

Mechanical digestion

Chemical digestion
 Human
Alimenta
ry Canal

Digestion

Physical/Mechanical Chemical Digestion

Digestion
Breaking down of food into Breaking down of large complex
smaller pieces food molecules into smaller,
simpler food molecules
Increases surface area of food but
does not change the chemical So that it can be absorbed by
structure of food the body
Huma n Di ge s ti v e Organs of the
alimentary canal
System Mouth

Salivar
y
gland
Glands associated
Esophagus
with the alimentary
canal
Liver Stomach
Gall bladder
Pancreas
Large intestine
Small intestine

Rectum
Anus
 The Alimentary Canal
 The human digestive system
consists primarily of a tube called
the alimentary canal.
 Each section of canal is specialized

for a particular function of

digestion.
 The alimentary canal is of 8-10m.
 Major parts of alimentary canal

 Mouth
 Pharynx

 Esophagus

 Stomach

 Small Intestine

 Large Intestine

 Rectum
 Accessory Organs of Digestive System

Liver
Pancreas

Gall Bladder
 MOUTH

The digestion process

first occurs in the
mouth. Toot
h
Ton
gue
Saliava
ry
Gland
Mouth Salivary
glands -
produces
Salivary
amylase

Ingestion of food

Chewing of food by
the teeth breaks
down food into
Salivary amylase
smaller pieces
digest Starch to
Maltose
 Mouth
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

• The mouth: Lip

• Ingests food
• Mechanically Hard palate

Soft palate
breaks up solid Uvula

particles using Palatine

tonsils

saliva Tongue

• Prepares food for Lingual frenulum

chemical digestion Vestibule

• This action is called Lip

mastication 32
 Mouth
 two methods:
1) Mechanical digestion-teeth and
tongue cut, mash and grind food
into smaller pieces.
2) Chemical digestion-salivary
amylase breaks carbohydrates into
sugar.
 Food is then pushed to pharynx.
Cheeks and Lips
34
• The cheeks form the lateral walls of the
mouth
• The lips are highly mobile structures that
surround the mouth opening
 Tongue
35

• The tongue is a
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Epiglottis

thick, muscular Lingual tonsils

organ that Root

occupies the floor Palatine tonsil

of the mouth and

nearly fills the oral Body

cavity when the Papillae

mouth is closed
 Tongue
36

• The tongue Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

manipulates food for

chewing and
swallowing
(deglutition). It is the
primary organ of
taste, as much of the
upper surface of the
tongue is covered in
papillae and taste
Taste regions of tongue
38
Palate
• The palate
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Frontal sinus

forms the roof Nasal cavity

Sphenoidal sinus
Pharyngeal tonsil

of the oral
Opening of auditory tube
Hard palate Soft palate
Vestibule Nasopharynx

cavity and
Oral cavity
Tongue Uvula
Palatine tonsil
Tooth

consists of a
Lip Oropharynx
Lingual tonsil
Hyoid bone Epiglottis

hard anterior Larynx

Laryngopharynx

part and a soft Esophagus

Trachea

posterior part
39
Teeth
• The teeth are the
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

hardest structures in
the body
• There are primary
(deciduous/ baby or
milk)) teeth
numbering 20
• There are secondary
(permanent) teeth
numbering 32
© The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc./Rebecca Gray, photographer
 Teeth
 Permanent teeth
 Replace deciduous teeth
beginning between the ages of 6
to 12
 A full set is 32 teeth, but some
people do not have wisdom teeth
•The role is to masticate (chew) food
Classification of Teeth
Incisors
Canines

Premolars

Molars
Classification of Teeth

Figure 14.9
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Incisors

Canine (cuspid)
Premolars
(bicuspids)

Molars

Molars

Premolars
(bicuspids)
Canine (cuspid)
(a) Incisors

Second
premolars

Central Lateral Canines First

incisors incisors premolars
(b)
b: © Nick Koudis/Getty Images
43
 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

Enamel

Crown
Dentin

Pulp
cavity

Gingiva

Alveolar
process

Root
Root canal

Periodontal
ligament

Cementum
 Regions of a Tooth
 Crown – exposed part
 Outer enamel
 Dentin
 Pulp cavity

 Neck

 Region in contact
with the gum
 Connects crown to
root Figure 14.10
 Regions of a Tooth
 Root
 Periodontal
membrane
attached to the
bone
 Root canal
carrying blood
vessels and
nerves Figure 14.10
Mechanism of Swallowing
 Swallowing is a coordinated activity of the
tongue, soft palate, pharynx and esophagus.
 Phases

 Food is pushed into the pharynx by the

tongue. (voluntary)
 Tongue blocks the mouth
 Soft palate closes off the nose
 Larynx (Adam’s Apple) rises so the
Epiglottis (a flap of tissue) can close the
opening of the trachea.
In the back of the mouth of


the throat, food is shaped

into ball of food called
bolus. The bolus is then
pushed into esophagus.
ESOPHAGUS
 Esophagus
 A straight muscular tube that is about 10 inches (25
cm) long which connects the mouth with the
stomach
 Food takes about 4 to 8 seconds as it passes

through to the stomach.

 Its walls contain smooth muscles that contracts in

wavy motion (Peristalsis).

 Peristalsis propels food and liquid slowly down

the esophagus into the stomach.

 Cardiac Sphincter (ring-like valve) relaxes to allow

food into the stomach.

Esophagus
Food rolled into boli Peristalsis -
passes down into the Wave like
contractions of
esophagus the muscles in the
gut walls
Peristalsis propel food
along the gut and mix
food with the
digestive juices

Note: Peristalsis occurs from the esophagus to the rectum!

Part of the gut wall
Circular
muscle

Longitudinal
muscle
Circular muscle contract,
Longitudinal muscle relax
Antagonistic
action of the
muscles
Wall of the gut constricts – It
becomes narrower and longer

Push the bolus forward

Mass of food

Circular muscle relax,

Longitudinal muscle contact

Wall of the gut dilates – It

becomes wider and shorter

Lumen is widen for food to

enter
 Esophagus
 Approximately 10” long
 Functions include:
1. Secrete mucus
2. Moves food from the throat to the
stomach using muscle movement
called peristalsis
 If acid from the stomach gets in
here that’s heartburn.

and then FOOD is pushed into stomach.

Stomach
Stomach
 An elastic, muscular sac where majority of
digestion occurs.
 It holds about 2 cups when empty but can

expand to more than 4 times that size,

holding a complete meal and beverage.
 Gastric juice is secreted by stomach glands-

is extremely acidic

Mucus is also secreted
Chyme is the mixture of gastric juice and
food
Stomach ( cont. )
 The esophageal sphincter at the top and pyloric
sphincter at the bottom seal off the stomach while it
churns.
Folds in the stomach are called rugae.
Food stays in the stomach for 2-5 hours.
Food is then pushed into small intestine.
Stomach ( cont. )

Has FOUR MAJOR REGIONS
 * cardia – surrounds the superior opening of the

stomach
 * fundus- portion superior and to the left of the cardia

 * body – inferior to the fundus

- large central portion of the stomach
 * pylorus- most inferior region
- narrow
 Pyl- gate orus- guard
Stomach
Stomach
 Pepsin – major enzyme; converts proteins
into peptides in the presence of HCL.
 Mucus – lubricates food and protects the

gastric lining from strong digestive juices.

 Converts the bolus into a liquid (chyme)

after 4 hrs of mechanical and chemical

digestion
 Chyme passes through the pyloric sphincter

into the small intestine.

Movements in Stomach
 Stomach
Peristalsis in the stomach
wall churns and break up
the food

Peristalsis also mix food

with the gastric juice
 Gastric gland secrete
gastric juices into the
stomach

Hydrochloric Proteases
acid •Pepsin
•Rennin
 Hydrochloric acid
•Kills most bacteria
taken in with food

•Provides an acidic
medium suitable for
the action of gastric
enzymes.
 Stomach

Pepsinogen Pepsin
Hydrochloric (active enzyme)
acid
Prorennin Rennin
(active enzyme)
 Why is pepsinogen produced
instead of pepsin?

To prevent pepsin
from digesting the
stomach walls
 Protein Digestion
Pepsin
Proteins Polypeptides

Rennin
Soluble Insoluble
milk proteins milk proteins
Pepsin
Insoluble Polypeptides
milk proteins
 Question Time!
Why is there no digestion of
starch in the stomach?
The acidic environment in the stomach
due to the presence of hydrochloric
acid. Salivary amylase works best in
alkaline pH. Thus no starch is digested
in the stomach.
Small intestine
STRUCTURE OF SMALL INTESTINE
 Small Intestine
 Small intestines are roughly 7
meters long
 Lining of intestine walls has

finger-like projections called

villi, to increase surface area.
 The villi are covered in microvilli

which further increases surface

area for absorption.
 Small Intestine
 Nutrients from the food pass into the
bloodstream through the small
intestine walls.

 Absorbs:
 80% ingested water
 Vitamins
 Minerals
 Carbohydrates
 Proteins
 Lipids

• Secretes digestive enzymes

 Small Intestine
 Has three portions:
 * duodenum – shortest part

( 25cm or 10 inches)
- attaches to the pylorus
- means 12- as long as the
width of the 12 fingers
 * jejunum - “empty”

- 1m long
- empty at death
- left upper quadrant
Small Intestine
 Ileum – final portion
- means twisted
- measures about
2m
(6ft)
- mostly in the RLQ
 Small Intestine
Digestion of carbohyd
rates, proteins
and fats and absorptio
n of digested
food products, water a
nd mineral salts
 Live
Duodenum
r Chyme from the
stomach is mix with
digestive juices
produced from the
intestinal gland, liver
and
pancreas
Gall
bladder

Pancrea
Duodenum s
of Small
intestine
 PaLive
ncreatic juice, bile and
r intestinal
juice are alkaline.
• Neutra
lize the acidic chyme
• Provid
e a suitable medium fo
r
the action of pancreatic
and
Gall intestinal enzymes.
bladder

Pancrea
Duodenum s
of Small
intestine
 Intestinal Gland
Secrete Intestinal juice

Maltase Sucrase
Intestinal
Lactase Erepsin lipase
82 12/27/2022
Large intestine
Large Intestine
 Large Intestine
 a.k.a. Colon
 larger diameter, but shorter (5 ft)

 Water is absorbed from the undigested

food making the waste harder until it

becomes solid.
 Waste stays for 10 – 12 hours.
 Large Intestine
 Functions
 Bacterial digestion

Ferment
carbohydrates
Protein breakdown

– Absorbs more
water
– Concentrate
wastes
Food Breakdown and Absorption in
the Large Intestine
 No digestive enzymes are produced
 Resident bacteria digest remaining

nutrients
 Produce some vitamin K and B
 Release gases
 Water and vitamins K and B are absorbed

 Remaining materials are eliminated via

feces
 Propulsion in the Large Intestine
 Sluggish peristalsis
 Mass movements

 Slow, powerful movements

 Occur three to four times per day

 Presence of feces in the rectum causes a defecation

reflex
 Internal anal sphincter is relaxed
 Defecation occurs with relaxation of the voluntary
(external) anal sphincter
Large Intestine
 Waste is pushed into the expanded
portion (rectum) of the large intestine.
 Solid waste stays in the rectum until it is

excreted through the anus as feces.

 Appendix hangs on the right side of the

large intestine.
 Large Intestine
Divided into:

 1. ascending- ascends on the right side of the
abdomen
 2. transverse- across the abdomen to the left side
 3. descending- beneath the lower border of the
 spleen on the left side
 4. sigmoid – S-shaped
 5. rectum – the last 2 to 3cm is called the anal
 canal
Anus - opening of the anal canal to the exterior
Rectum
 Accessory Organs
 Not part of the path
of food, but play a
critical role.
 Include: Liver,
gall bladder,
and pancreas
 Liver
 Produces bile, which is stored in the gall
bladder until needed and then secreted into
the duodenum
 The liver is also the first stop for nutrients

after they are absorbed by the small intestine;

it filters out harmful substances before
passing out some nutrients along to the rest
of body and placing other nutrients in storage
for later use.
 Liver
 Directly affects digestion
by producing bile
 Bile helps digest fat
• filters out toxins and
waste including drugs
and alcohol
Bile salts
Bile salts emulsify the fats by
reducing the attractive forces
Bile Salts
between the fat molecules

Tiny fat
Physically breaks-up the fat
droplets molecules

Increase surface area to

volume ratio – speed up
digestion by lipase.
 Gall Bladder
Stores bile from
the liver, releases
it into the small
intestine.
Fatty diets can

cause gallstones
 Pancreas
 Produces digestive
enzymes to digest
fats, carbohydrates
and proteins
 Regulates blood

sugar by producing
insulin
 Pancreas
Secrete Pancreatic Juice:
• Pancreatic amylase,
• Pancreatic lipase

enterokinase
• Trypsinogen trypsin

(active enzyme)
Region of Source Enzyme Action
Digestion
MOUTH Salivary glands Salivary amylase Starch Maltose
Pepsin Protein Polypeptide
STOMACH Gastric glands Soluble Insoluble
Rennin milk proteins milk proteins
Pancreatic
Starch Maltose
Amylase
Pancreas Trypsinogen Protein
trypsin
SMALL Polypeptides
INTESTIN Pancreatic Lipase
E Fats Fatty acids+
glycerol
Maltase
Intestinal Maltose Glucose
Erepsin
glands Polypeptides Amino acids
Lipase
Fats Fatty acids+
glycerol
 Liver produces bile The bile salts which
which is an enzyme emulsify fats into tiny fat
that breaks down fats droplets is stored in the
liver

Four friends were

discussing about the role Daniel
of the gall bladder, liver
John Bile which emulsify
and the function of bile.
fats is produced from
Who do you agree with the the liver and stored
Gall bladder
produces bile most? Explain why others are in the gall bladder
which breaks not correct.
down fats

Mary Bella
 Liver cells secrete bile
containing bile salts and
bile pigment
Bile = bile salts + bile
pigment

Bile flows into the

duodenum via the bile
duct

Bile is temporarily stored

in the gall bladder
 Conclusion

 
1.The digestion 2.Having digested in 3.In the stomach, food is chemically 4.Then, the food has undergone
process first the mouth, the food digested with the help of an enzyme digestion will move little by
occurs in the will go into the called pepsin. Pepsin plays convert little into the small intestine.
mouth. In the esophagus. Food is proteins into peptone. Inside the The small intestine is where
mouth, food pushed by the stomach there is hydrochloric acid digestion and absorption of
chewed and esophagus into the which causes the stomach becomes nutrients. In the duodenum, the
crushed by the stomach muscles. acidic. Hydrochloric acid is digestion of food occurs with
tooth, aided by This muscle produced by the stomach wall. the help of the sap of the
the tongue. In the movement called Hydrochloric acid serves to kill pancreas. Pancreatic lymph
mouth there is peristalsis. Peristalsis germ and activates pepsin. When produced by the pancreas gland.
also a digestive that causes food the digestive process occurs in the Lymph containing pancreatic
enzyme that helps pushed up into the stomach, the stomach wall muscles enzymes, such as the enzyme
the enzyme stomach to contract. This causes the food to amylase, the enzyme trypsin,
amylase. be mixed and stirred with enzymes and lipase enzymes.
and hydrochloric acid. Gradually,
the food would be a form of
porridge.
5.After passing through 6.Finally, the rest of the
the small intestine, the food expelled through
remaining food into the the anus in the form of
colon. In the large feces.
intestine, food wastes
decay. Decomposition is
aided by the bacterium
Escherichia coli. Water
and mineral salts from the
rest of the food, will be Digestive system is designed to process food
absorbed by the gut again. and fluids consumed each day. How useful the
digestive system for human life.
 Nutrition
 Nutrient – substance used by the body for
growth, maintenance, and repair
 Categories of nutrients

 Carbohydrates
 Lipids
 Proteins
 Vitamins
 Mineral
 Water
 Dietary Sources of Major Nutrients
 Carbohydrates
 Most are derived from plants
 Exceptions: lactose from milk and small amounts
of glycogens from meats
 Lipids

 Saturated fats from animal products

 Unsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and vegetable
oils
 Cholesterol from egg yolk, meats, and milk
products
 Dietary Sources of Major Nutrients

 Proteins
 Complete proteins – contain all essential amino
acids
Most are from animal products
 Legumes and beans also have proteins, but are
incomplete
 Vitamins

 Most vitamins are used as cofactors and act with

enzymes
 Found in all major food groups
Dietary Sources of Major Nutrients

 Minerals
 Play many roles in the body
 Most mineral-rich foods are
vegetables, legumes, milk, and
some meats
 Metabolism
 Chemical reactions necessary to maintain
life
 Catabolism – substances are broken
down to simpler substances
 Anabolism – larger molecules are built
from smaller ones
 Energy is released during catabolism
 Carbohydrate Metabolism
 The body’s preferred source to produce
cellular energy (ATP)
 Glucose (blood sugar) is the major

breakdown product and fuel to make

ATP

Figure 14.17
 On a sheet of paper, write the name of each
colored organ:

 Green:
 Red:

 Pink:

 Brown:

 Purple:

 Green:

 Yellow:
 ANSWER
 Green: Esophagus
 Red: Stomach
 Pink: Small Intestine
 Brown: Large Intestine
 Purple: Liver
 Green: Gall Bladder
 Yellow: Pancreas

Great Job!