Digestive System Overview
Introduction
- Initial Discomfort: Discussion about stomach pain and confusion over digestive anatomy.
- Clarification: The pain described is likely in the intestines, not the stomach.
Digestive Process
-
Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands
- Food enters through the mouth.
- Salivary Glands: Three main glands produce saliva to aid digestion:
- Parotid
- Submandibular
- Sublingual
-
Esophagus and Stomach
- Food travels from the mouth to the esophagus and then to the stomach.
- Stomach Location: Under the ribs on the left side.
- Digestion in the Stomach:
- Muscle action and acid break down food.
-
Sphincters
- Esophageal Sphincters:
- Upper and Lower esophageal sphincters prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus.
- Pyloric Sphincter:
- Controls food movement from the stomach to the duodenum (first part of the small intestine).
-
Small Intestine
- Comprised of the duodenum and other sections.
- Main site for nutrient absorption due to its length and structure.
-
Large Intestine (Colon)
- Structure: Shorter but wider than the small intestine.
- Parts include:
- Cecum
- Ascending, Transverse, Descending, and Sigmoid colon.
- Function: Absorbs water and prepares waste for excretion.
Additional Organs
- Liver: Produces bile to aid fat digestion.
- Gallbladder: Stores bile produced by the liver.
- Pancreas:
- Part of endocrine and digestive systems.
- Produces enzymes for digestion.
Path of Digestion
- Food Pathway: Oral cavity → Esophagus → Stomach → Duodenum → Small Intestine → Large Intestine → Rectum → Anus.
Key Structures
- Sphincters: Ensure one-way movement and control the timing of digestion.
- Nutrient Absorption: Occurs mainly in the small intestine.
- Water Absorption: Occurs in the large intestine leading to feces formation.
Recap and Review
- Trace the food path through the digestive system.
- Identify key organs and their functions in digestion.
Note: Understanding the digestive anatomy helps identify where different sensations or discomforts may originate.