GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

PYRAMID POINTS
The order of anatomical structures of the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Digestion and gastrointestinal enzymes
Location and function of the structures responsible
for various gastrointestinal disorders
FUNCTIONS OF THE GI SYSTEM
Process food substances
Absorb the products of digestion into the blood
Excrete unabsorbed materials
Provide an environment for microorganisms to
synthesize nutrients such as vitamin K
GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM

From Black, Hawks, & Keene (2001), Medical-Surgical Nursing (6th ed),
W.B. Saunders.
MOUTH
Contains the lips, cheeks, palate, tongue, teeth,
salivary glands, muscles, and maxillary bones
Saliva contains the amylase enzyme (ptyalin) that
aids in digestion
MOUTH

From Phipps WJ, Sands, J, Marek JF: Medical-surgical nursing: concepts and clinical practice,
ed. 6, St. Louis, 1999, Mosby.
ESOPHAGUS
A collapsible muscular tube, about 10 inches long
Carries food from the pharynx to the stomach
ESOPHAGUS

From Beare PG, Myers JL (1998), Adult Health Nursing, ed. 3 St. Louis: Mosby.
STOMACH
Consists of the cardia, fundus, the body, and the
pylorus
Mucous Glands
Located in mucosa
Prevent autodigestion by providing an alkaline
protective covering
Lower Esophageal (Cardiac) Sphincter
Prevents reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus
STOMACH
Pyloric Sphincter
Regulates the rate of stomach emptying into the small
intestine
Hydrochloric Acid
Kills microorganisms, breaks food into small particles,
and provides a chemical environment that is required
by the gastric enzymes
STOMACH
Pepsin
The chief coenzyme of gastric juice, which converts
proteins into proteases and peptones
Intrinsic factor
 Necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12
Gastrin
Controls gastric acidity
STOMACH

From Ignatavicius, D. & Workman, M. (2002). Medical-surgical nursing: Critical thinking for collaborative
care, ed 4, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
SMALL INTESTINE
Duodenum
Contains the openings of the bile and pancreatic ducts
Jejunum
Approximately 8 feet long
Ileum
Approximately 12 feet long
The small intestine terminates into the cecum
SMALL INTESTINE

From Mosby’s Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary, ed 6, (2002). St Louis: Mosby.
PANCREATIC INTESTINAL JUICE
ENZYMES
Amylase digests starch to maltose
Maltase reduces maltose to monosaccharide glucose
Lactase splits lactose into galactose and glucose
Sucrase reduces sucrose to fructose and glucose
Nucleoses split nucleic acids to nucleotides
Enterokinase activates trypsinogen to trypsin
LARGE INTESTINE
Approximately 5 feet long
Absorbs water and eliminates wastes
Manufacture of vitamins, including some B vitamins
and vitamin K
LARGE INTESTINE
Ascending
Transverse
Descending
Sigmoid
Rectum
Ileocecal valve: Prevents contents of large intestine
from entering ileum
Anal sphincters: Guard the anal canal
LARGE INTESTINE

From Mosby’s Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary, ed 6, (2002). St Louis: Mosby.
 PERITONEUM
Lines the abdominal cavity
Forms the mesentery that supports the intestines and
blood supply
LIVER
The largest gland in the body, weighing 3 to 4 pounds
Contains Kupffer’s cells, which remove bacteria in the
portal venous blood
Removes excess glucose and amino acids from the
portal blood
Synthesizes glucose, amino acids, and fats
Aids in the digestion of fats, carbohydrates, and
proteins
LIVER
Stores and filters blood (200 to 400 ml of blood
stored)
Stores vitamin A, D, B12, and iron
Secretes bile to emulsify fats (500 to 1000 ml of bile a
day)
HEPATIC DUCTS
Deliver bile to the gallbladder via the cystic duct

Deliver bile to the duodenum via the common bile

duct
The common bile duct opens into the duodenum,
with the pancreatic duct at the ampulla of Vater
The sphincter prevents the reflux of intestinal
contents into the common bile duct and pancreatic
duct
GALLBLADDER
Stores and concentrates bile
Contracts to force bile into the duodenum during the
digestion of fats
The cystic duct joins the hepatic duct to form the
common bile duct
The sphincter of Oddi guards the entrance into the
duodenum
The presence of fatty materials in the duodenum
stimulates the liberation of cholecystokinin, which
causes contraction of the gallbladder and relaxation of
the sphincter of Oddi
PANCREAS, LIVER, AND
GALLBLADDER

From Ignatavicius, D. & Workman, M. (2002). Medical-surgical nursing: Critical thinking for
collaborative care, ed 4, Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
PANCREAS
EXOCRINE FUNCTIONS
Secretes sodium bicarbonate to neutralize the acidity of
the stomach contents as they enter the duodenum
Pancreatic juices contain enzymes for digesting
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
PANCREAS
ENDOCRINE FUNCTIONS
Insulin secretion is produced by the islets of
Langerhans
Insulin is secreted into the bloodstream and is
important for carbohydrate metabolism
Secretes glucagon to raise blood glucose levels
Secretes somatostatin to exert a hypoglycemic effect
PANCREAS

From Beare, P. & Myers, J. (1998). Adult health nursing, ed 3, St Louis: Mosby.