Digestion I

Introduction
Definition Processes
Ingestion Mastication Propulsion Mechanical Digestion Chemical Digestion Absorption Elimination

Introduction
Mechanical Digestion No breaking of chemical bonds; surface area of ingested food

Chemical Digestion

Use hydrolytic enzymes to break chemical bonds

Proteins

Amino Acids Monosaccharides Monoglycerides + fatty acids

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CHO (starch) Lipid (fat)

Introduction
Definition Processes
Ingestion Mastication Propulsion Mechanical Digestion Chemical Digestion Absorption Elimination

Overview
GI tract is a tube
Extends from mouth to anus The LUMEN of the tube is technically OUTSIDE the body

Accessory organs open into tube

Fig. 15.3 V
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Wall of Digestive Tube

Mucosa Epithelium, thin CT, very thin muscle layer Submucosa Connective Tissue Muscularis Smooth muscle mostly Starts/ends w/ skeletal muscle Serosa Connective Tissue Visceral peritoneum
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Fig. 15.6 V

Gross Anatomy

See Fig. 15.1 V; 26.1 M

Accessory organs open into digestive tube

Salivary Glands Pancreas Gall Bladder Liver

Blood Supply
Blood leaving gut enters hepatic portal vein
Brought directly to liver Second exchange site at liver sinusoids (capillaries)

Most absorbed nutrients go to liver first

Except: products of fat digestion

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Innervation of Digestive Tract

Autonomic
Sympathetic Effects Parasympathetic Effects

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Innervation of Digestive Tract

Intrinsic
Submucosal plexus Location Controls Myenteric plexus Location Controls

Significance: Local controls by intrinsic N.S.

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Hormonal Control of GI System Table 15.4 V 13

Peritoneum
Serous Membrane
Visceral (= serosa) Parietal

Folds of peritoneum suspend/anchor organs

Omenta (stomach) Mesentery (intestines)

Fig. 26.7 M

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Motility of Digestive Tract

Characteristics of smooth muscle
Random arrangement of actin and myosin Single unit smooth muscle Gut smooth muscle cells connected by gap junctions

Fig. 9.33, 9.38 V

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Motility of Digestive Tract

Characteristics of smooth muscle
Autorhythmicity: Basic Electrical Rhythm (slow wave potentials) seen in certain regions

Fig. 15.23 V
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Types of Gut Contractions Peristalsis: Contraction (+ Distal Relaxation) Seen primarily in:
Esophagus Stomach

Very weak in small intestine

Large intestine: few mass movements a day

Accomplishes:
Mechanical digestion Propulsion

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Types of Gut Contractions Segmentation Contractile rings ONLY in small intestine Accomplishes
Mechanical Digestion SLOW propulsion

Fig. 26.2 M
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Control of Motility Nervous

Parasympathetic increases Sympathetic decreases

Hormonal
Gastrin: Increases gastric motility Secretin, GIP, CCK: Decrease gastric motility

Local Controls:
Especially important in small intestine

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Physiology

Summary of GI Tract Functions

(fig. 15.2 V)
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Ingestion of Food

Mastication
Mechanical Digestion Mix food w/ saliva

Salivary Secretion
Moisten, allow taste Salivary Amylase Starch Disaccharides

Fig. 26.4 M

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Ingestion of Food
Swallowing Reflex
Voluntary Phase Reflex Phase Fig. 15.14 V See also Fig. 26.11 M

Transition from skeletal to smooth muscle part way down the esophagus

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Gastroesophageal Junction

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Normal

Achalasia
Before and after Botox

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