MILLAN, SHAINA MARIE B.

12-04-2018

BSN-103 Ms. Riza Magsino

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

REVIEW AND COMPREHENSION P.470

1. What are the functions of the digestive system?

The functions of the digestive system are to take in food, break down the food, absorb the
digested molecules, provide nutrients to the body, and eliminate wastes.

2. What are the major layers, or tunics, of the digestive tract?

There are 4 major tunics of digestive tract. The first one is Mucosa tunic and is the innermost
tunic, consists of mucous epithelium, a loose connective tissue called the lamina propria, and a
thin smooth muscle layer, the muscularis mucosae. The epithelium in the mouth, esophagus, and
anus resists abrasion, and the epithelium in the stomach and intestine absorbs and secretes.
Secondly, Submucosa tunic and it is a thick layer of loose connective tissue containing nerves,
blood vessels, and small glands. An extensive network of nerve cells processes forms a plexus
(network). The plexus is innervated by autonomic nerves. The third one is the Muscular tunic
and it is in most parts of the digestive tract consists of an inner layer of circular smooth muscle,
and an outer layer of longitudinal smooth muscle. Another nervous plexus, also innervated by
autonomic nerves, lies between the two muscle layers. Lastly, the Serosa tunic which consists of
the peritoneum, which is a smooth epithelial layer, and its underlying connective tissue. Regions
not covered by peritoneum are covered by a connective tissue layer called the adventitia.

3. What are the peritoneum, mesenteries, and retroperitoneal organs?

The peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines the abdominal and pelvic cavities, and covers
most abdominal viscera. It is composed of layer of mesothelium supported by a thin layer of
connective tissue. There are 2 types of peritoneum. Parietal peritoneum is that portion that lines
the abdominal and pelvic cavities. Those cavities are also known as the peritoneal cavity.
Whereas, Visceral peritoneum covers the external surfaces of most abdominal organs, including
the intestinal tract.  The intestines are, in essence, suspended from the dorsal aspect of the
peritoneal cavity by a fused, double layer of parietal peritoneum called mesentery. In come
cases, parietal and visceral peritoneum are also continuous along the ventral abdomen, where
they are called ventral mesentery. The retroperitoneal space is bounded by the posterior parietal
peritoneum anteriorly and the lumbar spine posteriorly. The retroperitoneal space contains the
kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, nerve roots, lymph nodes, abdominal aorta, and inferior vena
cava. The retroperitoneal (or lumbar) lymph nodes are the regional lymph nodes for the organs of
the retroperitoneal space, and also for the testes, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus (which are
embryologically derived from the retroperitoneum). The retroperitoneal nodes are divided by the
aorta and inferior vena cava into three groups: those lying to the left of the aorta (left para-aortic
or left lumbar group), those lying between the aorta and inferior vena cava (interaortocaval or
intermediate lumbar group), and those lying to the right of the inferior vena cava (right paracaval
or right lumbar group).

4. List the funtions of the lips, cheeks, and tongue.

 Lips let air into your mouth for breathing and, together with cheeks, help you speak. They also
keep food and saliva in your mouth while chewing. Ultimately, these strong muscles guide and
keep your teeth in their proper positions. The tongue is a powerful muscle that facilitates
chewing, swallowing, speaking and tasting food. There are about 10,000 taste buds on the tongue
and other areas of the mouth, allowing to detect sweet, salty, bitter and savory flavors.

5. Distinguish between the deciduous teeth and the permanent teeth. Name the different
kind of teeth.

The biggest difference is in the number of teeth. Children have 20 primary teeth and then get 32
permanent teeth, including four wisdom teeth, or third molars. There are fewer primary teeth
because young children’s jaws are smaller and don’t have enough room for as many teeth. The
jaw lengthens as a child gets older. The shapes of primary and permanent teeth are different.
Front permanent teeth usually have mamelons, several small bumps that eventually wear off. The
roots are also shaped differently. Baby teeth have roots that are shorter and thinner than those of
the permanent teeth so the permanent teeth can develop beneath them and so the roots can
dissolve when it is time for the primary teeth to fall out. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than
permanent teeth. That is why primary teeth usually look much whiter than permanent teeth. If
your child is in the mixed dentition stage and has a combination of some primary and some
permanent teeth, you may be able to easily tell which are which by the color.

6. Describe the 3 parts of a tooth. What are dentin, enamel, and pulp?

Anatomic Crown is the portion of the tooth taht is covered by enamel and visible in the oral
cavity. Anatomic root is the portion of the tooth is embedded in the bone of the upper and lower
jaws and is covered by cementum. Pulp cavity is the cavity is filled with pulpal tissues and is
located at the central portion of the tooth and is surrounded by dentin.

 Dentin is a part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum. It contains
microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When dentin loses its protective
covering (enamel), the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate
the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing sensitivity. Enamel is the hard calcified
 tissue covering the dentin in the crown of tooth. Because it contains no living cells, tooth
enamel cannot repair damage from decay or from wear. Only a dentist can correct these
conditions. Pulp Chamber is the space occupied by the pulp—the soft tissue at the
center of your teeth containing nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. 

7. What is the function of the palate? What are the hard and soft palates?

The palate has two main functions. The first is to act as a mechanical barrier between the
mouth and the nose so that what we eat and drink doesn’t leak back out through the nose.
The second is to act as a valve at the back of the throat to block the flow of air into the nose.
This second function is extremely important and is necessary for feeding as an infant and for
speech.The roof of the mouth is known as the palate. The hard palate is the front part of the
roof of the mouth, and the soft palate is the back part.

8. Name and give the locations of the 3 pairs of salivary glands.

The parotid glands are the largest of the salivary glands. They lie just under the skin, one in
front of each ear. The sublingual glands are the smallest of the salivary glands. They lie in
the floor of the mouth underneath the tongue. The name of submandibular gland is a bit
confusing because the gland does not, in fact, lie under the mandible, but instead in a small
depression on the medial surface of that bone. This depression is called the submandibular
fossa.

9. What are the functions of a saliva?

The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, and helping to create a food bolus,
so it can be swallowed easily.

10. Where is the esophagus located?

The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx) with the stomach.  The
esophagus runs behind the windpipe (trachea) and heart, and in front of the spine.