Lesson 2: The Digestive System & Tonics Flashcards
What is digestion? (Process of changing…)
Process of changing insoluble and non-diffusible substances into soluble and diffusible forms which can be absorbed by circulatory system
What is digestion? (large to small)
process by which large, complex organic molecules called macromolecules (proteins, fats, carbohydrates) broken down into simpler, soluble organic molecules (amino acids, glucose, glycerol, and fatty acids) that are able to pass through the cell membrane
Four Functions of Digestive System
(1) Ingestion and mastication of food
(2) The secretion of chemical substances that produce chemical changes in the food, making them soluble and diffusible
(3) The absorption of nutritive materials
(4) The elimination of undigested residues
Components of digestive system. (2)
(1) digestive tract: hollow tube from lips to anus
(2) varius glands, assisting in digestion
Name the parts of the gastrointestinal tract from top to bottom.
- mouth
-pharynx
-esophagus
-stomach
-small intestine
- duodenum
- jejunum
- ileum
-large intestine
- cecum & appendix
- ascending colon
- transverse colon
- descending colon
- pelvic or sigmoid colon
- rectal and anal canal
Name the various glands involved in the digestive system.
(1) Salivary glands (all paired)
- parotid glands
- submandibular glands
- sublingual glands
(2) Liver
(3) Gallbladder
(4) Pancreas
In Chinese Medicine, Qi can be split into two forms. They are:
(a) prenatal Qi - what we are born with
(b) postnatal Qi - energy we take from environment after birth, food and air we breathe
Digestion begins in the mouth. What are the functions of digestion in the mouth?
Mastication (chewing) and lubrication
Discuss the importance of mastication.
-Only conscious part of progress, a.k.a. only part we are in control on
-Insufficient mastication interferes with entire digestive process.
-This is because not enough saliva gets mixed with the food, therefore mixed signals sent to stomach.
- Stomach will not know appropriate types/amounts of gastric juices to secrete.
- Saliva is under control of autonomic nervous system.
Describe the two (2) Salivary glands, locations, and secretions.
(1) Parotid, upper jaw in front of ear, secretes serous
(2) Sublingual & Submandibular, Lower jaw, under tongue, and top of neck, secretes serous and mixed mucus
What is serous?
clear, watery, salty fluid that contains sodium (Na) and potassium (K), and ptyalin
What is ptyalin?
A digestive enzyme secreted by the salivary glands.
Ptyalin initiates the breakdown of starches (into dextrins and maltose)
What is mixed mucous?
Called mucin, it helps lubricate the bolus (the chewed mass of food) for swallowing.
Describe the stomachs physical qualities.
The stomach is muscular, elastic, sac-like, J-shaped.
It is a dilation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Name the three (3) parts of the stomach.
Fundus
Body
Pylorus
