ANATOMY AND

PHYSIOLOGY OF
THE G.I TRACT
 The Digestive System
The digestive tract, also called the alimentary
canal or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, consists of a
long continuous tube that extends from the
mouth to the anus. It includes the mouth,
pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine,
and large intestine. The tongue and teeth are
accessory structures located in the mouth. The
salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
are major accessory organs that have a role in
digestion.
The function of the digestive system is digestion and
absorption. Digestion is the breakdown of food into
small molecules, which are then absorbed into the body.

The treatment of food in the digestive system involves

the following seven processes:
• Ingestion is the process of eating.

• Propulsion is the movement of food along the

digestive tract. The major means of propulsion is
peristalsis, a series of alternating contractions and
relaxations of smooth muscle that lines the walls of
the digestive organs and that forces food to move
forward.
• Secretion of digestive enzymes and other
substances liquefies, adjusts the pH of, and
chemically breaks down the food.

• Mechanical digestion is the process of physically

breaking down food into smaller pieces. This
process begins with the chewing of food and
continues with the muscular churning of the
stomach. Additional churning occurs in the small
intestine through muscular constriction of the
intestinal wall. This process, called segmentation,
is similar to peristalsis, except that the rhythmic
timing of the muscle constrictions forces the food
backward and forward rather than forward only.
• Chemical digestion is the process of
chemically breaking down food into
simpler molecules. The process is carried
out by enzymes in the stomach and small
intestines.
• Absorption is the movement of molecules
(by passive diffusion or active transport)
from the digestive tract to adjacent blood
and lymphatic vessels. Absorption is the
entrance of the digested food (now called
nutrients) into the body.
• Defecation is the process of eliminating
undigested material through the anus.
• The Buccal Cavity
Food enters the mouth and is chewed by the
teeth, turned over and mixed with saliva by
thetongue. The sensations of smell and taste
from the food sets up reflexes which stimulate
thesalivary glands.
• The Salivary glands
The salivary glands secretes saliva which
lubricates the food enabling it to be swallowed
and contains the enzyme ptyalin which serves to
begin to break down starch.
• The Pharynx
Situated at the back of the nose and oral cavity
receives the softened food mass or bolus by the
tongue pushing it against the palate which
initiates the swallowing action.
• The Esophagus
The esophagus travels through the neck and
thorax, behind the trachea and in front of the
aorta. The food is moved by rhythmical muscular
contractions known as peristalsis (wave-like
motions) caused by contractions in longitudinal
and circular bands of muscle.
• The Stomach
The stomach lies below the diaphragm and to the left of
the liver. It is the widest part of the alimentary canal and
acts as a reservoir for the food where it may remain for
between 2 and 6hours. Here the food is churned over and
mixed with various hormones, enzymes including
pepsinogen which begins the digestion of protein,
hydrochloric acid, and other chemicals; all of which are
also secreted further down the digestive tract.
• Small Intestine
The small intestine measures about 7m in an
average adult and consists of the
duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Both the bile and
pancreatic ducts open into the duodenum together.
The small intestine, because of its structure,
provides a vast lining through which further
absorption takes place.
• The Pancreas
The Pancreas is connected to the duodenum via two
ducts and has two main functions:
• To produce enzymes to aid the process of
digestion.
• To release insulin directly into the blood stream for
the purpose of controlling blood sugar levels.
• The Liver
The liver, which acts as a large reservoir and filter for blood, occupies
the upper right portionof abdomen and has several important
functions:
• Secretion of bile to the gall bladder.
• Carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.
• The storage of glycogen ready for conversion into glucose when
energy is required.
• Storage of vitamins.
• Phagocytosis - ingestion of worn out red and white blood cells,
and some bacteria.
• The Gall Bladder
The gall bladder stores and concentrates bile
which emulsifies fats making them easier to break
down by the pancreatic juices.
• The Large Intestine
The large intestine averages about 1.5m long and
comprises the caecum, appendix, colon, and rectum. After
food is passed into the caecum a reflex action in response
to the pressure causes the contraction of the ileo-colic
valve preventing any food returning to the ileum. Here
most of the water is absorbed, much of which was not
ingested, but secreted by digestive glands further up the
digestive tract.
 ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY(APPENDIX)
• Appendix is a tube-shaped organ
with a length of approximately10
cm and the stem on the cecum. It
sits at the junction of the small
intestine and large intestine.
Sometimes the position of the
appendix in the abdomen may
vary. Most of the time the
appendix is in the right lower
abdomen, but the appendix, like
other parts of the intestine has a
mesentery. This mesentery is a
sheet-like membrane that
attaches the appendix to other
structures within the abdomen. If
the mesentery is large it allows
the appendix to move around.
• In addition, the appendix may belonger than normal. The
combination of a large mesentery and a long appendix
allows the appendix to dip down into thepelvis (among the
pelvic organs in women) it also may allow the appendix to
move behind the colon (a retrocolic-appendix).
• Appendix is blooded by a pendicular artery which is a
branch of the artery ileocolica. Arterial appendix is end
arteries. Appendix has more than 6 meso-apendics
obstruct lymph channels leading to lymph nodes ileocecal.
Although the appendix has less functionality, but the
appendix can function like any other organ. Appendix
produces mucus 1-2ml per day. The mucus poured into
the caecum. If there is resistance there will be a
pathogenesis of acute appendicitis. GALT (Gut Associated
Lymphoid Tissue) in the appendix produce Ig-A. However,
if the appendix removed, none affect the immune body
system.
• The Peritoneum
• The peritoneum, the serous membrane that forms the
lining of the abdominal cavity, covers most of the intra-
abdominal organs.
• The peritoneum supports the abdominal organs and
serves as a conduit for their blood and lymph vessels
and nerves.