Digestion; Digestion system overview Flashcards
Learning outcomes:
- Digestions and its influences on health and other body functions
- The different areas and organs of the digestive system, including their anatomy and functions
- How food is digested & how the different macronutrients are acted on by digestive juices
- The gut – brain connection and the microflora
- How digestion can be impaired and supported
- Digestion and energetics
- Naturopathic signs of poor digestive health
Digestion
The process of breaking down food by mechanical and chemical action in the digestive tract into substances that can be used by the body
Digestive system: primary actions
The digestive system executes three primary actions:
1. Digestion
2. Absorption
3. Excretion
Digestive system: Digestion
- Digestion:
* Mechanical digestion (I.e. chewing, peristalsis)
* Chemical digestion (Gastric juices, pancreatic enzymes, bile and enterocyte enzymes)
Gastric = relating to stomach. Greek Gaster, from gran to gnaw, eat
Digestive system:
Absorption
- Absorption:
* Primarily in the small intestine
* Absorption into the blood and lymph
Digestive system:
Excretion
- Excretion:
* Waste materials (Including toxins acted on by the liver) are excreted via the intestines as faeces. Elimination also occurs via the urine, skin and lungs
Digestive system:
Anatomy and main function
The digestive system is a 30 foot tube from mouth to anus, supported by accessory organs. It ultimately functions to nourish the tissues of the body – supporting cellular processes
Digestive system: The digestive tract organs
Digestive tract:
* Mouth
* Pharynx
* Oesophagus
* Stomach
* Small and large intestine
Digestive system:
Accessory organs
Accessory organs = Organs that support the functions of the digestive system
Accessory organs:
* Salivary glands
* Pancreas
* Liver
* Gallbladder
* Biliary tract
