1. Bell Ringer #1
Make a list of organs/parts of the body you think make up the digestive system.
List 3 ways that you believe you can care for your digestive system.
List 3 things that you would like to learn about the digestive system.

2. What We Will Learn About the Digestive System
Understand the structure of the digestive system and how it functions.
Identify and discuss diseases related to the digestive system.
How to maintain a healthy digestive system

3. Why is the Digestive System Important?
Helps to break down food into nutrients.
The body needs those nutrients for energy, growth and cell repair.
Without the digestive system, the body cannot be nourished or rid itself of waste.

4. Digestive Functions
1. Digestion – mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods within the stomach and intestines.
2. Absorption – passage of digested food from the digestive tract into the cardiovascular system (blood).
3. Elimination – the body’s expulsion of undigested foods or body waste.

5. 2 Main Processes Mechanical
Involves chewing, mashing and breaking down food.

6. 2 Main Processes 2. Chemical
Involves secretions produced by the digestive organs.

7. Digestive Process – 4 Main Parts
1. Mouth
2. Throat
3. Stomach
4. Intestines

8. Mouth 1. Teeth 2. Salivary Glands (Saliva)
Break down foods into smaller pieces.
32 teeth including wisdom teeth
2. Salivary Glands (Saliva)
Produce digestive juices.
Saliva contains an enzyme that begins to break down the starches and sugars in food into smaller pieces. This enzyme is called amylase.
Fun Fact: Average adult produces 1-3 pints(16oz) a day!

9. Mouth 3. Mastication 4. Tongue
Process of chewing, which prepares food to be swallowed.
4. Tongue
Shapes and prepares food to be swallowed.

11. Throat 1. Uvula 2. Epiglottis
small flap of tissue at the back of the mouth that prevent food from entering the nasal passage.
2. Epiglottis
Small flap of tissue at the back of the throat that prevents food from entering the respiratory system.

13. Throat
3. Esophagus
10 inch long muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Where food travels when you swallow.
Peristalsis – series of involuntary muscle contractions that moves food through the digestive tract

14. Peristalsis

15. Stomach Stomach Hollow sac-like organ enclosed in a wall of muscles.
The muscles are flexible to allow the stomach to expand when you eat
Fun Fact: An adults stomach can hold approximately 1.5 liters of material (approx 50oz)

16. Stomach – 3 main functions
1. Mixes food with gastric juices.
Gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
Hydrochloric acid kills bacteria brought with the food and also creates an environment for pepsin to do its work.
Pepsin is and enzyme that digest proteins.

17. Fun Fact
On average, the stomach produces 2 liters of hydrochloric acid every day!
Hydrochloric acid is so strong that it is capable of dissolving substances as strong as metal, yet it has no effect whatsoever on plastic.
Myth Buster – chewing gum actually only takes a few days to pass through the digestive system

18. Stomach – 3 Main Functions
2. Storing Partially digested food and liquid.
Holds onto the food until the body is ready to move it through the small intestine.
3. Converts food into chyme.
Chyme – a creamy, fluid mixture of food and gastric juices

19. Intestines Small Intestine 20-23 feet long and 1 inch in diameter.
90% of all nutrients are absorbed through the small intestine.
Villi – miniature finger-like projections that line the inner wall of the small intestine and absorb nutrients.

20. Intestines Large Intestine – also called the colon
About 2.5 inches in diameter and 5-6 feet long.
Undigested parts of food like fiber or roughage leave the small intestine and end up here.
Water is absorbed here along with vitamins and salts.
Rectum – 8 inch long, end portion of the colon
Anus – external opening of the rectum

22. Other Organs that Help the Digestive System
1. Pancreas – feeds the small intestine
Produces enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins in food.
Also produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels.
2. Liver – also feeds the small intestine
Produces bile – yellow-green, bitter fluid important in the break down and absorption of fat.
3. Gall Bladder
Stores the bile between meals.

23. Digestive System Problems - Functional
1. Indigestion – feeling of discomfort in the upper abdomen, sometimes with gas/nausea.
Causes – eating too much or too quick, spicy food, or even stress
2. Constipation – when feces become dry and hard, making bowel movements difficult.
Causes – not drinking enough water, not consuming enough fiber to move waste through the digestive system

24. Digestive System Problems – Functional
3. Heartburn – burning sensation in the center of the chest that may rise to the throat.
Causes – result of acid reflux, or backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. Alcohol, tobacco, spicy/greasy foods.
4. Gas –produced from breakdown of food (some is normal).
Causes - different for everyone (foods and swallowing air).
Nausea – feeling of discomfort, vomiting
Causes – dehydration, motion sickness, some medications.

25. In September of 2008, Londoner Paul Hunn set a world's record for the loudest human belch ever recorded—107.1 decibels, which is about as loud as a chainsaw from just three feet away.
Even more shocking is that Hunn didn't even say "excuse me" afterwards!

26. Digestive System Problems - Structural
1. Gastritis – inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the stomach.
Causes – alcohol/tobacco, infections, some medications.
Symptoms include pain, indigestion, decreased appetite, nauseas and vomiting.

27. Digestive System Problems - Structural
2. Peptic Ulcer – a sore in the lining of the digestive tract.
Causes – bacterial infections or overuse of aspirin.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Can cause stomach to bleed.

28. Digestive System Problems – Structural
3. Gall Stones – can block the bile duct between the gall bladder and small intestine.
Causes – when cholesterol in bile hardens.
4. Hemorrhoids – veins in the rectum and anus that become swollen and inflamed.
Causes – constipation, pregnancy, or after childbirth.

29. Digestive System Problems - Structural
5. Lactose Intolerance – results from an inability to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products.
Lactose is broken down in the body with an enzyme called “lactase”
People that are lactose intolerant do not produce enough lactase.
Symptoms include nausea, gas, bloating and diarrhea.

30. Digestive System Care 1. Fruit and Veggies 2. Get Plenty of Fiber
Contain fiber and nutrients important for digestive health.
2. Get Plenty of Fiber
Prevents constipation, enhances proper bowel function
3. Consume Adequate Protein-NOT just MEAT!
Lean meat, soy products, beans, nuts

31. Digestive System Care 4. Get Nutrients from Food First
The human body needs a broad spectrum of nutrients in order to function optimally throughout your lifetime.
5. Limit Fats and Concentrated Sweets
Easy on the McDonalds and candy!
6. Stay Hydrated
Healthy digestion requires adequate fluid intake

32. Digestive System Care 7. Eat Mindfully 8. Exercise
Eat slow, stop when your full, avoid eating large meals before bed.
Chew minimum of 20 times!
8. Exercise
60 minutes per day, 4-5 days per week

33. Digestive System Care 9. Manage Your Stress
Stress has a direct effect on digestive health. Build time for relaxation into your daily routine.
10. Pay Attention to Your Body
If you are satisfied, stop eating. When your stomach feels stuffed, you've probably eaten too much.