1. Digestion

2. Functions of Digestive System
Digestion - breaks down food
Absorption - absorbs nutrients in blood
Elimination - rids wastes from body

3. Body parts (organs)
Mouth & Teeth – chews food; with the addition of saliva, starts the breakdown of food
Esophagus - muscles move the food down the esophagus; Pepsin
Stomach - saclike organ enclosed in a muscular wall (3 layers thick); Chyme
Small Intestine - (20-23 feet long and 1” in diameter)
fingerlike villi absorb nutrients that are carried throughout the body by blood

5. Organs (cont.) Large Intestine - (also called colon)
It is 5-6 feet and 2.5” in diameter
Absorbs water and eliminates undigested food.
Water, vitamins, and mineral salts are absorbed into the bloodstream in the colon.
Pancreas and Liver - add secretions to break the food down further

6. Care of Digestive system
Eat variety of food
Avoid fried food
Eat high fiber foods
Don’t hurry through meals
Drink plenty of water
Don’t drink carbonated beverages
Don’t “stress eat”

7. Problems Indigestion - burning discomfort in upper abdomen
Heartburn - burning pain in center of chest
Gas
Nausea and vomiting - it’s the reverse of the digestion process
Diarrhea - if food passes too quickly through the large intestine it cannot absorb enough water

8. Problems (cont.)
Constipation - Feces are dry and hard; bowel movements are difficult

9. Recent Findings Band Adjustment
Illustration of laparoscopic placement of LAP-BAND® around stomach. Adjusting the size of the opening between the two parts of the stomach controls how much food passes from the upper to the lower part of the stomach.

10. Interactions with other Systems (a few mentioned below)
Muscular – muscles push and move food throughout the system
Circulatory/Cardiovascular – nutrients are absorbed throughout the digestive system and distributed through blood
Urinary – helps to filter out waste
Immune – gastric juices help to kill bacteria; nutrients in food helps our body fight off infection