The Digestive System Yaneli Gonzalez, Yshia Condezo, Chelsea ……

Effects of Aging  Gastrointestinal disorders increase with age  Example: Periodontitis – common in elderly  Esophagus is prone to disorders with age  Examples:  Hiatal Hernia – A portion of the esophagus normally found inferior to the diaphragm can protrude into the thoracic cavity  Heartburn – Caused by the lower esophagus sphincter opening inappropriately and allowing chyme to regurgitate into the esophagus  Chest Pain – May occur when this sphincter fails to open and a bolus cannot enter the stomach  Diverticulum – May develop in the esophagus and allow food to collect abnormally

Effects of Aging  Muscle wall loses tone  Peptic ulcers increase in frequency  Failure for older people to consume enough fiber  Results in diverticulosis, constipation, hemorrhoids, and fecal incontinence  Liver problems  Examples:  Shrinks with age and receives a smaller blood supply  Takes longer for the liver to metabolize drugs and alcohol  Gallbladder difficulties  Examples:  Gallstones  Cancer in various organs of the gastrointestinal tract, such as pancreatic cancer

Homeostasis  In the alimentary canal, food is broken down into nutrients small enough to be absorbed by the villi of the small intestine  Digestive enzyms are produced by the salivary, gastric, and intestinel glands  Accessories of digestion that contribute secretions that help break down food:  Pancreas – produces enzymes for the digestion of carbs, proteins, and fat  Liver- produces bile which emulsifies fat  Gallbladder- stores bile

Homeostasis  The alimentary canal is also a part of the endocrine system since hormones such as secretin are produced here to regulate the secretions of the glands in the canal.