Download *Digestion*

Digestion
The Function of the Digestive System
Digestion
• The mechanical and chemical breakdown of
food for use
• ABSORPTION
– The passage of digested
food from the digestive
tract into the circulatory
system.
• ELIMINATION
– The expulsion of
undigested food or body
waste.
• MASTICATION
• SALIVA
• Break food into smaller pieces
• Lubricates and breaks
down food
•TONGUE
•Forms food into a ball
preparing it to be swallowed
• STOMACH
• ESOPHAGUS
• Food passes through the
esophagus to the stomach
by peristalsis
• Flexible- expands when
you eat.
• Continues to breakdown
the food
• Stores food until it enters
the small intestine
• Mixes gastric juices with
the food while it continues
the breakdown process
• Controls food entering the
small intestine
• SMALL INTESTINE
• Chyme enters the small
intestine at the duodenum
• From the duodenum it is
then passed to the jejunum
• The small intestine is lined
with villi especially the
jejunum
• Villi increases the surface
area for increased food
absorption
• Unabsorbed materials
leave the small intestine
and enter the large
intestine
~LARGE INTESTINE
(COLON)
• Absorbs water, vitamins,
minerals and salts into the
blood
• Eliminates undigested
food
Liver
• Breaks down drugs and poisons into water
soluble substances
• Excretes this substance into the bile
Gallbladder
• Releases bile into the duodenum to
breakdown fat substances
Pancreas
-Releases three digestive enzymes to breakdown food
• Trypsin ~ digests protein
• Amylase ~ digests
carbohydrates
• Lipase ~ digests fats
CARE FOR THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
Eat a variety of foods
Eat foods low in fat and high fiber
Eat slowly
Do not wash food down with
liquid
Drink plenty of water
Avoid using food to cope with
stress
Indigestion
•
•
•
•
Eating too much
Eating too quickly
Eating certain foods
Eating while stressed
Heartburn
• Stomach acid flowing into the esophagus
Diarrhea
• Food passing to quickly
through the large intestine
• Changing eating styles
• Food poisoning
• Overeating
• Emotional turmoil
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Bacterial or viral infection
Constipation
• Food passes to slowly through the large
intestine
• Lack of fiber
• Erratic eating habits
• Drinking to little water
• Lack of exercise
Gallstones
• Small crystals that form in the gallbladder
when chemical composition of the bile is
disrupted
Appendicitis
• Bacteria or foreign
substances lodged in
the appendix
• Fills with puss
• Pain and cramps lower
right portion of the
abdomen
• Fever
•
•
•
•
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Surgical removal of
the appendix
Lactose Intolerance
• Sugar present in milk
• Lack of lactase enzyme to breakdown
lactose
• Cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhea
Gastritis
• Inflammation of the mucus membrane that
lines the stomach
• Irritation from foods, aspirin, smoke,
tobacco, alcohol, or bacteria
• Pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and
vomiting
• Medication to coat the lining of the stomach
Peptic ulcer
•
•
•
•
Sore in the lining of the digestive tract
Esophagus, stomach or duodenum
Damage to the protective lining
Aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory
medication, tobacco, infection.
Colitis
• Inflammation of the colon
• Bacterial or viral infection
• Diarrhea with blood and mucus, abdominal
pain and fever
Hemorrhoids
•
•
•
•
Swollen veins in the anus or rectum
Constipation, sitting or pregnancy
Exercise, fiber
Tooth Decay