Digestive System I

Oral Cavity

I. Organs and Function of the Digestive System

1. Organs
A. Mouth: tongue, teeth
B. Digestive Tract: esophagus, stomach (cardiac, fundic,
body, pyloric), small intestine (duodenum, jejunum,
ilium), large intestine (ascending colon, transverse colon,
descending colon, sigmoid colon, appendix, rectum) anus
C. Glands: Salivary glands, Pancreas, Liver
2. Functions:
A. Preparation of food for absorption - mechanical and
chemical break down, (digestion, hydrolysis)
B. Absorption of nutrients
C. Elimination of undigested & unabsorbed food
II. Histology of the Digestive System - Oral cavity
1. Teeth : histoloty of the enamel, dentine, and cementum.
A. Enamel
1.Produced by ameloblasts (epithelial)
2.Enamel prisms or rods. Perpendicular to tooth
surface.
3.No collagen
4.Calcified ground interprismatic substance makes up
the thinner layer between adjacent prisms.

B. Dentine (D)
1.Produced by odontoblasts
2.Calcified ground substance.
3.Dentinal tubules. . (Black arrows, Enlarged photo at
right ) What occupies the tubule ?
4.Granular layer of Tomes. An area of dentine just
under the cementum where the canal system is
very irregular.
C. Cementum, hardest tissue, essentially bone, but lacks
Haversian systems, blood vessels, cementocytes
D. Pulp
1.Loose C.T with many blood vessels
2.Rich in nerves (myelinated)
3.Unmyelinated fibers (some) extend into dentine
tubules
E. Peridondal membrane
 1.Special type of Dense ConnectiveTissue
2.Fibers penetrat cementum and bind to bone wall
(periostium of alveolar bone)
F. Alveolar bone
1.Immature bone structure, (Not lamellar)
2.forms socket, blood vessels, nerves penetrat into pulp
cavity
3.Bundles of Collage penetrate bone and cementum
G. Gingiva
1.Mucus membrane
2.Cells bound to basement membrane by
hemidesmosomes
3.Bound firmly to bone and tooth enamal (cuticle)
4.Epithelial attachment of Gotlieb (cuticle)
H. Summary Table

Enamal Dentine Cementum

ameloblasts odontoblasts Cementoblasts from
(Enamal organ0 Line pulp cavity mesenchyme
Thin columnar Procollagen => Cementocytes in
=> Cuboidal cells collagen lacunae, canaliculi
=> Atrophy Mineralizes Bone W/O
Lost before tooth (Tomes fibers in Haversian systems
erruption dentine tubules) & blood vessels
No Collagen Nerve fibers in
dentine, a few
Collagen

2. Tongue
A. Mucosa - Upper surface
1.Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium
2.Papillae, some with taste buds

a.Filaform - cone shaped, Keratin, NO taste buds

b.Fungiform - mushroom shaped, scattered taste
buds on the surface
c.Foliate - Closely packed folds, numerous taste
buds, lateral margins
d.Circumvallate - Large circular, taste buds on
lateral margins
 - serous and mucous galnds at base
- wash food out of taste buds
- 7-12 in V position, posteror of
tongue

3.Lamina propria, very dense ( connects to muscle

layers.)
B. Mucosa - Lower surface
1.Non-keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium
2.NO papillae
3.Lamina propria connects to sub mucosa
C. Submucosa.
1.Not on the upper surface
2.well developed on the under side (layer of loose
fibroelastic connective tissue)
3.Glands, mucous and serous
4.Lingual tonsils - single grypt at base of tongue,
numerous lymphoid nodules
D. Muscularis externa.
1.Skeletal muscle fibers
2.Muscle bundles which run in three planes. (Major
characteristic)

3. Salivary glands - Later, with Digestive System

Digestive System I Esophagus & Stomach

Digestive Tract Basic Plan

Basic Tissue organization [see specific organs for variations] Esophagus,
Stomach

A. Mucosa
1. epithelium
2. lamina propria
3. muscularis mucosa
4. function
1. Permeability barrier
2. Mucus production for lubrication
3. Enzymes for digestive processes
4. Absorpyion membrane
5. Lymph nodules prevention of bacterial invasion
 6. Independent movement of mucosa (muscularis mucosa),
keeps incontact with food
B. Submucosa
1. Dense irregular connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels,
lymphatics
2. Sub mucosal glands
3. Meisner's nerve plexes (parasympathetic ganglia)
C. Muscularis externa.
1. Smooth muscle
2. 2 layers, inner circular, outer longitudinal
3. Auerbach's plexes (myenteric)
D. Serosa, Adventitia
1. Mesothelium
2. Simple squamous & C.T.
3. Rich in blood vessels, lymph and some adipose
4. Adventitial - loose irregular C.T.

Summary of Digestive Tract Anatomy

A. Oral Cavity (Mouth)

Tongue, gums, teeth, lips

Salivary Glands (Parotid, Sublingual, Submaxillary)

B. Pharynx 3 openings mouth, nose, middle ear

Ring of lymphoid tissue - Palatine, Lingual, pharyngeal tonsils

C. Esophagus - muscular tube 23-25 cm long

Penetrates the diaphragm & joins stomach in Abdominal cavity

(level of xiphoid process)
Collapsed until distended by food

D. Stomach - J shaped when empty

Cardiac, Fundic, Pyloric divisions

Rugae, gastric crypts, no villi Glands (branched tubular) with
Parietal cells (HCl) and Chief Cells (Pepsinogen)

E. Small intestine - 7 meters (~20 feet) long

Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum (Peyer's Patches)

Circular folds, villi, glands (simple tubular)

F. Large Intestine - 1.5 meters (5 feet) long 6.3 cm wide

 Caecum with Appendix
Ascending, Transverse, Descending, & Sigmoid Colon, Rectum
Haustra, no villi, no folds

G. Abdominal Accessory structures

Mesentery - covers all abdominal organs, carries blood vessels &

nerves
Omentum - fatty apron

H. Accessory Glands

Pancreas - Endocrine gland (Insulin, Glucagon) Exocrine gland

(digestive enzymes)
Liver - gall bladder, bile

Digestive Tract - Esophagus

Function food transport to Stomach

A. Mucosa
1. Epithelium = Stratified Squamous
2. lamina propria
3. muscularis mucosa
B. Submucosa
1. Small mucus secreting, submucosa.
esophageal glands
2. Human = numerous compound
mucous glands
3. [cat, the horse and rodents usually do
not have them these]
C. Muscularis externa
1. Top third Voluntary, striated muscle tissue for swallowing
2. Lower third smooth muscle
3. Middle third mixed smooth and striated
meshed with connective tissue fibers.
D. Adventitia
1. Areolar Connective tissue and binds the esophagus to other
organs.
2. Replaced by a thin serosa in abdominal cavity
connective tissue covered by mesothelium.
 Digestive Tract - Stomach
Three main regions Cardiac, Fundic and Pyloric stomachs

Fundic Glands Pyloric Glands

A. Mucosa, very thick

1. Surface folds - Rugae
2. Surface Simple Columar epithelium; mucous secreting
different composition and mode of secretion from intestinal
goblet cells
Mucous nect (MN) cells eextend into branched
tubular glands
3. Lamina propria, scanty, loose, areolar
connective tissue.
4. Thick layer of gastric (principal) glands
(surface covered with "Gastric Pits"
a. Glands: simple, branched tubular
glands
b. Cardiac Glands
1. Mucous glands
2. Lysozyme production
3. Ferquently coiled terminal portion,
c. Fundic Glands produce digestive enzymes and HCl
1. Ismus mucous cells
2. Mucous neck cells
3. Parietal cell
1. Scattered rounded or Pyramidal cells
2. Eosinophilic
3. Produce HCl, Intrinsic Factor
4. found more numerous near top of gland
 4. Chief cells - (Zymogen) pepsinogen, more in lower
region of glands
5. Argentifine Cells, enterochromaffin
a. Found throughout stomach
b. Few in number
c. Abundent dense granules
d. Release Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptophane) into lamina propria
e. Stimulates smooth muscle motility
f. Affinity for Chromium and Silver salts

6. Paneth cells
. Found throughout stomach
a. Enteroendocrine Cells
b. Base of Gastric glands
c. Large eosinophil granules
d. Serous cell - Complex protein, carbohydrate, lysozyme
e. Lysozyme present
f. May control Intestinal flora
d. Pyloric Glands -
1. Deep gastic pits
2. Mucus and some Lysozyme
3. Gastrin (G) Cells
5. Muscularis Mucosae: trilaminar
1. two layers of muscle, sometimes a third an inner circular, outer
longitudinal.
2. heavily meshed with connective tissue fibers.

Histophysiology of parietal cell secretion and Hormonal control.

Contains animation of cellular
events.http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/
stomach/gibarrier.html

The GastroIntestinal Barrier: Link coontains histology and

histophysiology of both the stomach and intestinal lining.
http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/stomac
h/parietal.html

B. Submucosal connective tissue

1. Dense concentration of collagen and elastic fibers.
2. Infiltrated with Lymph and Mast Cells
3. Meissner's Plexes [cytons near the muscularis externa].
 C. Muscularis externa

Three layers of smooth muscle

0. inner oblique
1. middle circular
2. outer longitudinal.
D. Serosa
1. mesothelium
2. thin connective tissue
E. Endocrine Production of Gastric Mucosa
1. Pyloric Mucosa
. Gastrin
a. Stimulated by Amino acids(tryptophane & phenylalanine) and
peptides
b. Stimulates Parietal cells [HCl] and Chief cells {Pepsinogen]
c. Maintains gastric mucosa
d. Inhibited when pH falls below 2.5
2. Paneth cells ( See cell description above)
3. Argentifine Cells, enterochromaffin ( See cell description above)

Digestive System II Intestines

I. Digestive Tract - Small Intestine

A. Three main regions Duodenum, Jejunum, & Ileum
a. General Histology of the small intestine is
presented first.
b. Followed by specific Modifications found in each
region
2. Intestinal Cell Types
1. Absortive Cells
a. Striated borderMicrovilli
b. About 3,000/cell
c. 20 fold increase in absorptive surface
d. Disaccharidase bound to microvilli
e. Terminal Bar forces absorption through
membrane
f. Active transport of amino acids &
monosaccharides
g. Pinocytosis in new born, not adults
h. In SER, monoglycerides, long chain fatty
acids glycerol = Lipid synthesis
i. In GER Chylomicrons formed from Proteins
and Lipids
j. Released into lacteal
2. Goblet Cells
a. Mucous Cells
 b. Increase in number toward Ileum
3. Argentifine Cells
a. Release Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptophane)
into the blood (More in stomach)
b. Silver "loving"
4. Paneth Cells
a. Basal portion of crypts
b. Serous cell - Complex protein,
carbohydrate, lysozyme
5. Ganglion cells
a. Plexi of Parasympathetic Nervous system
b. Auerbach & Miesners
3. Mucosa [ photo 1 M]
. Semi circular folds Placae circularis
a. Goblet cells in the epithelium
b. Villi are characteristic of all small intestinal
mucosa
c. Lacteal or lymph capillary, and capillaries.
d. Lamina propria (loose connective tissue)
core of the villi and the tissue between the crypts.
e. Simple tubular intestinal glands, crypts of
Lieberkuhn, at base of the villi.
f. Two 2 types of epithelial cells
g. Mitotic cells in base of glands/crypts
h. Paneth Cells are common in the crypt base (lacking in some mammals
including dog and, cat.)
i. Muscularis mucosa (crypts rest on this thin layer) an inner circular and
an outer longitudinal layer.

The GastroIntestinal Barrier: Link coontains histology

and histophysiology of both the stomach and intestinal
lining.
http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/dige
stion/stomach/parietal.html

4. Submucosa [ photo 1 SM]

. Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
a. Ganglia of the submucosal plexus of Meissner
5. Muscularis externa. [ photo 1 ME]
. Smooth Muscle Layers, an inner circular and an
outer longitudinal layer.
a. Between these two layers - Ganglia of the
mesenteric plexus of Auerbach
6. Serosa
. Thin: compact layer of connective tissue
a. Covered by mesothelium, outer surface (simple squamous epithelium)
 B. Duodenum
1. Mucosa
. Sphincter of Oddi. [ photo 3 S] pushes from outside through layers and
opens into lumen
a. Entrance of the common Bile Duct (Liver, Pancreas)
2. Submucosa
. Brunner's Glands [ photo 2 B]
a. Alkaline Mucous Glands
b. Urogastron, hormone that prevents HCl secretion
c. Compound tubular glands extend down into the
submucosa.
d. Found no where else in Intestines
C. Jejunum
1. Mucosa
. Large Plicae
a. Large, long slender villi
b. More goblet cells.
c. NO submucosal glands
D. Ileum
1. Mucosa
. Many more goblet cells
a. Peyer's patches or intestinal tonsils (aggregates of lymph nodules)
b. Nodules disrupt the overlying epithelium
c. NO submucosal glands
II. Digestive Tract - Large Intestine Main Regions Ascending Colon,
Transverse Colon, Descending Colon, Sigmoid Colon, Appendix
attached to Ascending Colon
A. General Histology of the
Large Intestine Colon
1. Mucosa
. No Villi in any part of the large
intestine.
a. Many MORE Goblet cells
b. Deeper intestinal cryptsthan in the
small intestine.
c. Abundent Lymph nodules
2. Submucosa as in small intestine
3. Muscularis externa.
. Tenia coli. 3 thick bands of Longitudinal Muscle
4. Serosa as in small intestine
B. Histology of the Appendix.
1. Mucosa
. Large number of lymph nodules push into
the lumen of the organ
a. Lumen almost if not actually blocked
b. Human appendix = Paneth Cells at the bottom of the intestinal crypts.
c. Acidophilic granules in their cytoplasm. (function not been
determined)
C. Endocrine Production of Intestinal Mucosa
1. Secretin
. Produced by upper small intestine mucosa
a. Stimulates release of secretion #1 from pancreas (water & bicarbonate)
2. CCK (cholecystokinen)
. Produced by small intestine mucosa
a. Stimulates contraction of gall bladder,
b. Secretion #2 from pancreas (enzymes)

Digestive System III

Glands

Glands Associated With The Digestive Tract

Summary Table
Salivary Glands Pancreas Liver

Parotid Exocrine gland Bile

Serous secretion 100% Serous secretion Metabolic Waste
Sublingual Digestive enzymes Stored in Gall Bladder
80% Mucous secretion
5% Serous secretion Endocrine gland
Submaxillary Insulin
60% Serous secretion Glucagon
30% Mucous secretion

A. Salivary Glands
1. Capsule rich in Dense Connective tissue
2. Divided into Lobules
3. Connective tissue septa with blood vessels and nerves
4. Ducts (Photo, right, top)
a. Conducting ducts (intercalated ducts)
Low cuboidal, enter at hilum of gland
b. Striated ducts (interlobular) Tall cuboidal
cells, similar to kidney tubules
c. Extralobular ducts (in septa)
5. Secretory Portion
a. Serous Acinus, (top, right) central located
nucleus
b. Myoepithelial cells
c. Mucous Acinus, (bottom, right)
clear cytoplasm, nucleus compressed at bottom of the cell
d. Mucous Acinus with Serous Demilune (half moon)
[sublingual]
 Parotid

5. Produces 25% of Saliva

6. Branched Acinous gland
7. Lumen not conspicous
8. Striated ducts, very
apparent
9. Serous secretion 100%

Submaxillary Sublingual

1. Produces 70% 4. Produces 5%

of Saliva of Saliva
2. 80% Serous 5. 60% Mucous
secretion secretion
3. 5% Mucous 6. 30% Serous
secretion secretion

C. Liver.
1. Lobule
0. Hepatic cords of liver cells radiating single large central vein.

1. Cords separated by hepatic sinusoids

2. Kupffer cells found in sinusoids
2. Triad (at corners of Lobule) -
Branches of Hepatic artery,
Hepatic Portal Vein & Hepatic duct
interlobular arteries, interlobular veins and interlobular bile
ducts
D. Gall bladder.
 1. Pear-shaped organ that Stores and concentrates bile from the
liver.
2. Mucosa, Epithelium
0. Extensively folded into rugae. ( depends on amount of distension)
1. Large simple columnar cells with oval nuclei.

2. Covered with stereocilia

3. Post mortum changes easily breakes it down
3. Lamina Propria
0. Alveolar glands ( simple cuboidal
epithelium)
1. Loose and Dense connective tissue
4. Muscularis externa.
0. Three irregular layers of smooth muscle.
5. Adventitia (or serosa)
0. Dense connective tissue.
6. ducts
0. Hepatic ducts
1. Cystic duct
2. Common Bile Duct
1. gall bladder to the duodenum
2. Sphinctor of Oddi in duodenum

E. Pancreas
1. Exocrine glandular tissue.
0. Serous acinar gland
1. Produce Enzymes
2. Pyramidal shape cells
3. Centro-acinar cells
4. Wall of the intercalated duct
[characteristic of the pancreas]
2. Interlobular ducts, simple cuboidal or columnar epithelium,
0. Secret Primary Pancreatic secretion (neutralizes acid chyme)
3. Endocrine glandular tissue.
0. Islets of Langerhans (clusters of 5 to 50
cells), randomly scattered
1. Surrounded by Reticular fibers
2. cords of polygonal cells surrounded by
capillaries
3. Stain lighter than acinar cells
4. 3 types of cells, alpha, beta and delta cells (need special stains to see
differences)
1. Beta Cells 60-80% (Proinsulin => Insulin + C
protein)
Hemtoxylin and Phloxine Blue Granules
2. Alpha Cells 20% (Glucagon), cells larger, less
numerous, perfiery of Islet
Hemtoxylin and Phloxine Red Granules
3. Delta and "F" cells few
5. Capillary networks in the Islets
6. control, blood glucose levels, Sympathethic and Parasympathethic
nerve ending
4. Pancreas (Endocrine Function)
. Insulin (Pancreas, Ilets of Longerhans, Beta cells)
1. Promotes cellular uptake of glucose and synthesis
of glycogen
2. Promotes cellular uptake of amino acids & protein
synthesis
3. Stimulates fat storage, Promotes lipogenesis
4. Stimulates lipoprotein lipase activity (Depressed in
Obesity)
A. Glucagon (Pancreas, Ilets of Longerhans, Alpha cells)
1. Stimulates Glucogenolysis
2. Stimulates Gluconeogenesis (use amino acids)
B. Pancreatic (Secretion)Enzymes
1. Pancreatic Secretion #1 Increase of pH
Stimulated by hormone, CCK (cholecystokinen)
2. Pancreatic Secretion #2 Enzymatic
Stimulated by hormone, Secretin
a. Trypsin and Chymotrypsin secreted as
Trypsinogen and Chymotrypsinogen
(Inactive)
b. Trypsin activated by Enterokinase from
intestinal Glands
c. Chymotrypsin activated by Trypsin
C. Digestive Tract Short Summary of Digestion

Food Enzyme Products

Starch Amylase Maltose
Protein Trypsin Polypeptides
Protein Chymotrypsin Polypeptides
Glycerol, Mono &
Lipid Lipase
Diglycerides
Nucleic
Nucleases Nucleotides
Acids