ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF THE

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DR. BEDA OLABU
 THE OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

1. ANATOMY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

2. PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

3. DEVELOPMENT & CONGENITAL ANOMALIES

OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

 ANATOMY OF THE

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DR. BEDA OLABU
 SECTION I:

ANATOMY OF THE DIGESTIVE

SYSTEM
COMPONENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1: Hollow GIT
Path followed by food
The “alimentary canal”

2: Extrinsic glands
Salivary glands, pancreas,
liver & gall bladder
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES
1. Outline the anatomy of the various components of
the hollow GIT proximo-distally

2. Describe the structural organization of the gut wall

3. Describe the anatomy of the exocrine glands of the

digestive system

4. Explain the splanchnic circulation

FUNCTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
1. Delivery of water and
nutrients to the body

2. Endocrine functions

3. Excretion of waste (via the

biliary system)

4. Immunologic functions
 PARTS OF THE ALIMENTARY CANAL*
1. Oral cavity
2. Pharynx
3. Esophagus
4. Stomach
5. Small intestines
6. Large intestines
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

Has four layers:

1. Mucosal layer

2. Submucosal layer

3. Muscular layer

4. Adventitia/serosa
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL
1: The mucosal layer:

Has a lining epithelium &

lamina propria
Has several glands (gastric
& intestinal crypts)
May be folded (rugae &
villi)
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

2: The submucosa:
Dense irregular connective
tissue layer
Contain blood vessels
Nerves (submucosal plexus)
(+/-) Submucosal glands
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

3: The muscular layer:

Inner circular layer

Outer longitudinal layer

Myenteric plexus

A few exceptions…
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE GUT WALL

4: The adventitia/serosa:

A thin C.T layer

 + peritoneal lining = serosa

 - peritoneum = adventitia
THE ORAL CAVITY
Has two compartments:
1. Vestibule of the mouth

2. The oral cavity proper

Roof: Hard & soft palate

Continuous posteriorly with

the oropharynx
THE PHARYNX
Extends from the base of skull
to the esophagus

Common passage for food

and air

Parts of the pharynx:

Nasopharynx, oropharynx &

laryngopharynx
THE ESOPHAGUS
Connects the pharynx to
stomach

Has cervical, thoracic &

abdominal segments

Upper esophageal sphincter

Lower esophageal sphincter

THE STOMACH
Muscular bag that stores food
Located in the epigastrium &
left hypochondrium

Parts of the stomach:

Fundus, cardia, body, pylorus
2 curvatures: greater & lesser
THE STOMACH
Muscular bag that stores food

Located in the epigastrium &

left hypochondrium

Parts of the stomach:

Fundus, cardia, body, pylorus

2 curvatures: greater & lesser

THE STOMACH
Gastric mucosa:
Lined by glandular
epithelium

Folded into rugae

Has several pits that

lead to gastric glands
GASTRIC GLANDS
Different cell types with
unique secretory roles:
1. Mucus cells – mucus

2. Chief cells – pepsinogen

3. Parietal cells – Acid & IF

4. Enterochromaffin – Histamine
 GASTRIC JUICE
COMPONENT SECRETORY CELL FUNCTION
Pepsin Chief cells Digestion of proteins

Hydrochloric Activation of pepsinogen

Parietal cells
acid Antimicrobial effects
Intrinsic Promote absorption of Vitamin B12
Parietal cells
factor [in the ileum]

Histamine Enterochomaffin Promote gastric acid secretion

cells
Lubrication & mucosal protection
Mucus Mucus cells
[from corrosive effects of the acid]
FUNCTIONS OF THE STOMACH
1. Storage of food
2. Churning of food
3. Digestion of food
4. Absorption of food
5. Immune function
6. Intrinsic factor [B12]
THE SMALL INTESTINES
Components:
Duodenum, jejunum &
Ileum

Functions:
Digestion & absorption of
nutrients
STRUCTURAL ADAPTATIONS OF SMALL INTESTINES

Very long Rich capillary network

Highly coiled Extensive lacteal system

Presence of villi Thin epithelial lining

Several microvilli Crypts of Lieberkühn

Muscular wall Plica circulares

THE LARGE INTESTINES
Components:
1. Caecum

2. Appendix

3. Colon

4. Rectum

5. Anal canal
FEATURES OF THE COLON
4 Segments:
Ascending, transverse,
descending & sigmoid

2 Flexures:
Hepatic & Splenic
FEATURES OF THE COLON
Unique features:
1. Taenia coli
2. Haustrations
3. Appendices epiplocae
(fat tags)
Main function of the colon?
THE BASIC FOOD PROCESSES
1. Ingestion

2. Digestion

3. Absorption

4. Defecation
EXTRINSIC GLANDS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. Salivary glands

2. Liver

3. Gall bladder

4. Pancreas
SALIVARY GLANDS
Major salivary glands:
Parotid gland
Sublingual gland
Submandibular gland

Minor salivary glands:

Palatine, buccal, lingual
SALIVA
From salivary glands

Components of saliva
Digestive enzymes (ptyalin,
lipase)
Water, mucus, minerals
Antimicrobial agents
SALIVARY GLANDS
1: Parotid gland:
 The largest salivary gland

 Lateral side of the face, anterior

to the ears

 Duct drains into the vestibule,

opposite 2nd maxillary molar

 Innervated by CN IX

 Serous (watery) secretion

SALIVARY GLANDS
2: Sublingual gland:
Below the tongue

Drain via multiple ducts

below the tongue

Innervated by CN VII

Mucoid secretion
SALIVARY GLANDS
3: Submandibular gland:
Below the body of the
mandible
Its duct drains into the floor
of the mouth
Innervated by CN VII
Mixed secretion
THE LIVER
Right hypochondrium
& epigastrium

Lobes of the liver:

Right lobe
Left lobe
Caudate & quadrate*
CELL TYPES OF THE LIVER
1. Hepatocytes
2. Kuppfer Cells
3. Cells of Ito
4. Endothelial cells
5. Cholangiocytes
 FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER
1. Reservoir function: Sinusoids can hold large quantity of blood in
times of excess blood volume
2. Immunological function: Phagocytic action of the Kupffer cells
3. Metabolic functions: carbohydrate, lipids and proteins
4. Storage functions: Vitamins (A, D & B12) & iron (ferritin)
5. Synthesis of clotting factors: Fibrinogen, prothrombin, & factors
VII, IX, and X
6. Detoxification & excretory functions: Drugs, hormones, calcium
– through bile
THE GALL BLADDER
Identify A – D:
A. Liver

B. Gall bladder

C.Pancreas

D. Duodenum
THE BILIARY SYSTEM
1. Intrahepatic ducts
2. R & L Hepatic ducts
3. Common hepatic duct
4. Gall bladder & cystic
duct
5. Common bile duct
6. Main pancreatic duct
7. Ampulla of Vater
8. Sphincter of Oddi
 FUNCTIONS OF BILE JUICE

1. Emulfication of fat (for digestion)

2. Absorption of fat

3. Bicarbonate (alkaline pH) neutralizes acid

4. Excretion of waste products

THE PANCREAS
Lies in the epigastrium &
Left hypochondrium

Around the duodenal

curve

Behind the stomach

Has five anatomical parts:

THE PANCREAS
In the epigastrium & left
hypochondrium
Behind the stomach
Around duodenal curve
Has various parts:

Functional components
1. Exocrine pancreas
2. Endocrine pancreas
FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF THE PANCREAS
1: Exocrine pancreas:
Pancreatic acini (acinus)

The acinar cells secrete the

pancreatic juice via the ducts,
to the duodenum

Juice contains enzymes &

bicarbonate
FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS OF THE PANCREAS
2: Endocrine pancreas:
Clusters of cells called Islets of
Langerhans

Secrete various hormones into the

bloodstream

Alpha, Beta, Delta & PP cells

List 4 main hormones.....

 PANCREATIC HORMONES
HORMONE SOURCE CELL PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Alpha cells Elevate the blood sugar
GLUCAGON
[A - cells] levels
Beta cells Lower the blood sugar
INSULIN [B - cells] levels
Delta cells Inhibit pancreatic
SOMATOSTATIN [D - cells] secretions
PANCREATIC PP cells Slows down food
POLYPEPTIDE [F - cells] absorption*
THE SPLANCHNIC CIRCULATION
The aorta
Celiac artery (& hepatic
artery), SMA, IMA
Gut capillary plexus
Splenic and gut veins
The portal vein
Liver sinusoids
Hepatic veins
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
FUNCTIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
1. Delivery of water and
nutrients to the body

2. Endocrine functions

3. Excretion of waste (via the

biliary system)

4. Immunologic functions
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES:
1.Review the components of the digestive system

2.Explain the basic food processes

3.Name the exocrine and endocrine secretions of

the GIT and state the role of each

4.Describe neuronal regulation of the GIT

COMPONENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Hollow GIT (alimentary
canal)

The extrinsic glands

THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
THE ALIMENTARY CANAL
EXTRINSIC GLANDS OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

1. Salivary glands

2. Liver

3. Biliary tree

4. Pancreas
THE SPLANCHNIC CIRCULATION
The aorta
Celiac artery (& hepatic
artery), SMA, IMA
Gut capillary plexus
Splenic and gut veins
The portal vein
Liver sinusoids
Hepatic veins
THE BASIC FOOD PROCESSES
1. Ingestion

2. Digestion

3. Absorption

4. Defecation
INGESTION PROCESS
Uptake of food into the

stomach

Involves mastication

and swallowing
INGESTION PROCESS
a) Mastication (chewing)
Mechanical breakdown

Ends by pushing food

backwards into the pharynx

Voluntary process
INGESTION PROCESS
b) Deglutition (swallowing)
Controlled from brainstem

Involves voluntary (oral) &

involuntary (pharyngeal &
esophageal) phases
PHASES OF SWALLOWING
FUNCTIONS OF THE STOMACH
1. Storage of food
2. Churning of food
3. Digestion of food
4. Absorption of food
5. Immune function
6. Intrinsic factor [B12]
 DIGESTION PROCESS
Enzymatic breakdown of food into smaller subunits that
can be absorbed

Three basic types of food that require digestion:

1. Carbohydrates: Broken down to monosaccharides

2. Proteins: Broken down to amino acids & dipeptides

3. Lipids: Broken down to monoglycerides & fatty acids

 STARCHES
Salivary amylase (ptyaline)
Pancreatic amylase
SUCROSE MALTOSE LACTOSE

Sucrase Maltase Lactase

∞-Dextrinase

FRUCTOSE GLUCOSE GALACTOSE

 PROTEINS
Pepsin

POLYPEPTIDES; PEPTONES

Proteases*

AMINO ACIDS; DIPEPTIDES

 FAT
Emulsification

Lingual EMULSIFIED
Lipase FAT

Pancreatic lipase

MONOGLYCERIDES &
FATTY ACIDS
 ABSORPTION PROCESS
Uptake of substances into the bloodstream

Occurs in the ileum (nutrients) & colon (water)

Carbohydrates & proteins enter the splanchnic

circulation

Lipids enter into the lacteal system (lymphatic channels)

DEFECATION PROCESS
Elimination of GIT wastes via
the anal canal

Involves voluntary &

involuntary mechanisms

Multiple triggers factors lead

to the urge
EXOCRINE SECRETIONS OF THE GIT
1. Saliva

2. Gastric juice

3. Pancreatic juice

4. Bile juice

5. Intestinal fluid
SALIVA
About 1.5L per day, by the major
& minor salivary glands
Components of the saliva:
Water
Mucus
Minerals
Digestive enzymes (ptyalin, lipase)
Antimicrobial agents – IgA, some
chemicals
 FUNCTIONS OF THE SALIVA
1. Lubrication of food

2. Contains digestive enzymes – ptyalin, lipase

which aid in digestion of food

3. Immunity – antibacterial, IgA

GASTRIC JUICE
About 2L, by the gastric glands
(mucosal glands of the stomach)

Contain various components,

from a variety of cells

List the components of the gastric

juice, and state the role of each
 GASTRIC JUICE
COMPONENT SECRETORY CELL FUNCTION
Pepsin(ogen) Chief cells Digestion of proteins

Hydrochloric Activation of pepsinogen

Parietal cells
acid Antimicrobial effects
Intrinsic Promote absorption of Vitamin B12
Parietal cells
factor [in the ileum]

Histamine Enterochomaffin Promote gastric acid secretion

cells
Lubrication & mucosal protection
Mucus Mucus cells
[from corrosive effects of the acid]
PANCREATIC JUICE
From the pancreatic acini
Released into the duodenum via
the pancreatic ducts
About 1.5L in volume

Components of the juice:

1. Digestive enzymes
2. Bicarbonate ions
BILE JUICE
Secreted by the liver, into the
biliary system
Stored, concentrated and
released by the gall bladder
Contain bile salts, bilirubin,
cholesterol & fatty acids
About 0.5L in volume
Has an alkaline (pH 8)
 FUNCTIONS OF BILE JUICE

1. Emulfication of fat (for digestion)

2. Absorption of fat

3. Bicarbonate (alkaline pH) neutralizes acid

4. Excretion of waste products

 ENDOCRINE SECRETIONS OF THE GUT
THE GUT HORMONES
A wide variety of hormones secreted by enteroendocrine
cells of the gut epithelium
The cells are scattered mainly in the stomach, duodenum
and jejunum
Part of the diffuse neuro-endocrine system (DNES)
Control various functions of the organs of digestive
system
 ENDOCRINE SECRETIONS OF THE GIT
HORMONE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
Gastrin Stimulate gastric acid secretion

Cholecystokinin (CCK) Gall bladder contraction

Secretin Bicarbonate secretion

Gastric Inhibitory Peptide Inhibits gastric acid secretion

Motilin Stimulate GIT motility

NEURAL CONTROL GIT FUNCTIONS
Enteric nervous system:
1. Submucosal plexus

2. Myenteric plexus

Regulated by sympathetic &

parasympathetic systems
 NEURAL CONTROL GIT FUNCTIONS
PARAMETER PARASYMPATHETIC EFFECTS SYMPATHETIC EFFECTS

Signaling nerve Vagus nerve Splanchnic nerves

Peristalsis Increases Reduces
Sphincter tone Relaxes Contraction
Stool consistency Loose Constipation
Saliva Watery Mucoid
Acid secretion Increases Decreases
 SECTION III:

DEVELOPMENT & CONGENITAL

ANOMALIES OF THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
DEVELOPMENT & CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DR. BEDA OLABU
 LECTURE OBJECTIVES:
1. State the embryonic origin(s) of the digestive system

2. Name the parts and derivatives of the primordial gut

3. Outline the stages of development of the intestines

4. Partitioning of the cloaca and associated derivatives

5. Name and identify common congenital anomalies of

the digestive system
COMPONENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Hollow GIT (alimentary
canal)

Extrinsic glands
LAYERS OF THE GUT WALL
Four layers:
1. Mucosal layer

2. Submucosal layer

3. Muscular layer

4. Adventitia/serosa
 EMBRYONIC ORIGIN OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The alimentary canal arises from the incorporated part
of the yolk sac during embryonic folding
PARTS & DERIVATIVES OF THE PRIMORDIAL GUT
Foregut - Pharynx to the
duodenum

Midgut – Duodenum to
the Transverse colon

Hindgut – Transverse colon

to the cloaca (anus)
PARTS & DERIVATIVES OF THE PRIMORDIAL GUT
Foregut - Pharynx to the
duodenum

Midgut – Duodenum to
the Transverse colon

Hindgut – Transverse colon

to the cloaca (anus)
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE ESOPHAGUS
Abnormal foregut Inadequate Defective
septation elongation recanalization

Tracheoesophageal Congenital hiatus Esophageal stenosis

fistula (several types) hernia or atresia
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF STOMACH
Congenital Hypertrophic Organoaxial gastric
Pyloric Stenosis malrotation
DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTESTINES
Largely from the midgut
and hindgut

Distal foregut*

Largely supplied by the

SMA
STAGES OF INTESTINE DEVELOPMENT
1. Rapid proliferation, causing
elongation of the gut

2. Formation of the primary

intestinal loop (midgut loop)

………List the derivatives of the

cephalic and caudal limb……….
STAGES OF INTESTINE DEVELOPMENT
3. Physiological
umbilical herniation

4. External rotation – 90
degrees anticlockwise

…State the outcome of

the external rotation….
STAGES OF INTESTINE DEVELOPMENT
5. Return of physiological
hernia

6. Internal rotation – 180

degrees anticlockwise

…State outcome of this...

7. Fixation of the gut

THE CLOACA AND ITS DERIVATIVES

Common union of the

hindgut and the allantois

Union of digestive & urinary

systems
THE CLOACA AND ITS DERIVATIVES
Undergoes partitioning into two:

1. Urogenital sinus – urinary

bladder, urethra, lower vagina
& prostate

2. Anorectal canal – anal canal

and rectum
THE CLOACA & ITS DERIVATIVES
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE INTESTINES

Omphalocele Gastroschisis Malrotation

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE INTESTINES
Merkel’s diverticulum Umbilical hernia
 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE INTESTINES

Gut atresia = blockage Gut duplication

 CONGENITAL ANOMALIES OF THE INTESTINES

Hirshprung’s Fistulae Anal atresia

THE END