Presentation- The Digestive System

The digestive system265The digestive system26641614 13 57919181715 12361081211LSIRFig 127 The digestive systemThe digestive system267CommentsAnatomical: The alimentary tract is a long tube stretching from the mouth to the anus. Food passes along this gastrointestinal tract, which is made up of\ organs with different functions.Physiological: The five actions of the alimentary tract include ingestion, propulsio\n, digestion, absorption and excretion.Clinical: Digestive problems suggestive of a significant lesion in an organ of \the alimentary tract include bleeding, dysphagia, abdominal pain, chronic di\arrhoea, bloating, constipation and complete cessation of bowel movements and the\ passage of flatus.1. Soft palate2. Oropharynx3. Oesophagus4. Diaphragm5. Stomach6. Pancreas (behind the stomach)7. Transverse colon (cut)8. Small intestine9. Descending colon10. Sigmoid colon11. Anus12. Rectum13. Appendix14. Ascending colon15. Duodenum16. Liver and gall bladder (raised)17. Larynx18. Tongue19. Hard palate2681234567Fig 128 General structure of the gastrointestinal tractThe digestive system269CommentsAnatomical: The alimentary tract from the oesophagus down exhibits a basic structural plan with a serosa or adventitia, muscularis, submucosa and m\ucosa, with regional modifications. In the thorax, the adventitia is made up \of fibrous tissue. In the abdomen, the organs are covered by the peritoneum, which \is a closed sac containing a small amount of fluid and lined by a visceral \layer and a parietal layer.