PHYSIOLOGY Digestion Absorption Defecation Reference o Guyton A

PHYSIOLOGY: Digestion, Absorption & Defecation

Reference o Guyton A. , and Hall, J. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 12 th ed. o Seeley, R. , Stephens, T. , and Tate, P. , Anatomy & Physiology. 8 th ed. Mc. Graw Hill Company Inc. , (2008)

Functions of the Digestive System • Motility Functions • Propulsion • Mechanical Digestion • Secretory Functions • Chemical Digestion • Regulation • Absorptive Functions

Six basic processes are involved: ingestion, secretion, propulsion, digestion, absorption and defecation. Ingestion is taking food into the mouth. Secretion is the act of expelling a liquid. The cells lining the GI tract secrete about 9 liters (9. 5 quarts) of water, acid, buffers, and enzymes each day to lubricate the canal and aid in the process of digestion.

Propulsion consists of alternating contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle in the walls of the GI tract to squeeze food downwards.

Digestion has two parts, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical digestion is chewing up the food and your stomach and smooth intestine churning the food Chemical digestion is the work the enzymes do when breaking large carbohydrate, lipid, protein and nucleic acid molecules down into their subcomponents -these and others are the nutrients.

Absorption occurs in the digestive system when the nutrients move from the gastrointestinal tract to the blood or lymph. Defecation the act or process by which solid or semisolid waste material (feces) from the digestive tract are eliminated via the anus.

Digestion in the Mouth § Mechanical Digestion § Mastication reflex § Food enters mouth § Relaxation of muscles of mastication § Stretch reflex causes contraction

Digestion in the Mouth • Chemical Digestion by Saliva • Serous secretion for digestion of starches: amylase • Mucous secretion for lubrication

Swallowing • Oral • Pharyngeal • Esophageal

DEGLUTITION (SWALLOWING) accomplishes the propulsion of ingested food the mouth to the stomach. Three stages: Buccal Pharyngeal Esophageal

BUCCAL STAGE tongue moves upward and backward to push the food toward the pharynx. PHARYNGEAL STAGE coordinated involuntary actions which direct food to the esophagus closing the airway passages

ESOPHAGEAL STAGE peristaltic waves propel food from the esophagus to the stomach

NO Digestion in the Esophagus • No actual digestion • Propulsion via peristalsis • Mucous secretion for lubrication

Digestion in the Stomach • Food storage in the fundus • LES prevent reflux of stomach contents • Mechanical Digestion via segmental contractions • No absorption

Digestion in the Stomach • Chemical digestion by Oxyntic cell secretion CELL SECRETION FUNCTION Mucous Neck Cells Peptic Chief cells Mucus Lubrication & protection Pepsinogen + HCl to produce a proteolytic enzyme Pepsin for protein digestion Parietal Cells HCl Intrinsic Factor B 12 Absorption

Chemical Digestion by Pancreas • Acini cells secrete pancreatic digestive enzymes into the hepatopancreatic duct to empty into the small intestine • Enzymes are not activated until they are mixed with acidic chyme

Chemical Digestion by the Pancreas Trypsin Chymotrypsin Split proteins into peptides Carboxypolypeptidase Split proteins into AA Pancreatic Amylase Carbohydrate breakdown Fat digestion Pancreatic Lipase Cholesterase Phospholipase

Biliary Secretions by the Liver & Gall Bladder • For fat digestion & absorption • Emulsify large particles for more efficient lipase action • Ease of absorption • Means of excretion of waste • bilirubin

Biliary Secretions by the Liver & Gall Bladder • Liver constantly produces bile and is concentrated in the gall bladder • Biliary secretions include HCO 3 to neutralize the acidic chyme

Digestion & Absorption in the Small Intestine • Dominating chemical digestion via • Pancreatic secretions • Biliary secretions • Intestinal secretions

Digestion & Absorption in the Small Intestine Mucus Protection & Lubrication Peptidase Maltase Split peptides into individual amino acids Split maltose glucose + glucose Lactase Split lactose glucose + galactose Sucrase Split sucrose fructose + glucose Lipase Split fats into glycerol + free fatty acids

Digestion & Absorption in the Small Intestine • Absorption via transport processes • Water: diffusion through tight junctions • Carbohydrates: Na-Glucose cotransport; fructose via facilitated diffusion

Digestion & Absorption in the Small Intestine • Absorption via transport processes • Lipids: diffusion with bile salts • Proteins: Na-Glucose cotransport or endocytosis

Digestion & Absorption in the Small Intestine • Absorption via transport processes • Na: diffusion down a electrical gradient • Cl: diffusion via solvent drag • HCO 3 -: indirectly by secretion of H+ • *Other ions & vitamins are also absorbed

Absorption in the Large Intestine • Absorption of electrolytes occur but backflow is prevented by tight junctions • Water follows as result of osmotic gradient • Secretion of mucus for lubrication

Mouth Esophagus Stomach -chewing & lubrication (saliva) -conduit -digestion takes place -secretes pepsin + HCl Small intestine -duodenum jejunum ileum (functional reserve) Large intestine -stores and concentrates undigested material colon: 3 limbs -ascending transverse descending

Rectum ampulla - temporary storage for waste. As the rectal walls expand, stretch receptors from the nervous system located in the rectal walls stimulate the desire to defecate.

Colon innervation: Intrinsic 1. Auerbach plexus- segmentation and peristalsis 2. Plexus of Meissner- secretions and sensation Extrinsic 1. Parasympathetic increases and relaxes sphincters 2. Sympathetic decreases motility and contracts sphincters

The muscular wall of the cecum and colon is innervated by: Vagus nerve- cranial nerve X in PNS Superior mesenteric plexus – SNS cord segment T 9 -L 2 The rectum and anal canal innervation: Pelvic splanchnic nervesparasympathetic S 2 -4 Hypogastric nerve- sympathetic T 11 L 2

Anal sphincters innervation: Internal anal sphincter- pelvic splanchnic nerves and hypogastric nerves External anal sphincter – pudendal nerve

Defecation Reflex • Integrated in the sacral region of the spinal cord • Stimulated by distention of the rectal wall • Weak contractions of rectal wall • Relaxation of anal sphincter

Defecation Reflex • May be inhibited by voluntary constriction of external anal sphincter

If the urge is not acted upon, the material in the rectum is often returned to the colon where more water is absorbed. If defecation is delayed for a prolonged period the fecal matter may harden, resulting in constipation.

During defecation the chest muscles, diaphragm, abdominal wall muscles, and pelvic diaphragm all exert pressure on the digestive tract and ventilation temporarily ceases as the lungs push the chest diaphragm down in order to exert pressure. Blood pressure rises. Not good for high- risk cardiac patients.

For defecation external anal sphincter must relax. Sphincter ani externus muscle for anal and urethral are both closely linked by the same nerves

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control one's bowels. When one feels the urge to have a bowel movement, they may not be able to hold it until they can get to a toilet, or stool may leak from the rectum unexpectedly.

Fecal incontinence may be caused by physical injury (such as damage to the anal sphincter that may result from an episiotomy) intense fright, inflammatory bowel disease, impaired water absorption (diarrhea), and psychological or neurological factors.

BEFORE DEFECATION Fecal material passes to rectum by the longitudinal muscular contraction. When there is distension in the sigmoid colon and rectum, the internal sphincter relaxes at the same time as the external sphincter contracts. This allows some of the fecal contents to enter the anal canal and be sampled by its sensitive epithelium to determine if its solid, liquid or gas.

If the individual decides to continue with defecation, the intrarectal pressure increases on straining. Added pressure from abdominal straining or Valsalva maneuver aids defecation. Straining requires intact innervation of the lower thoracic cord T 6 -T 12. The pressure should be sufficient to overcome the external sphincter which relaxes with the pelvic floor that causing the rectum to straighten up reducing the rectal angle.

This increase in intraabdominal pressure forces stool into the rectum with relaxation of the extenal anal sphincter allowing defecation. Fecal matter stimulate the anal canal further relaxing the external anal sphincter.

If the individual decides not to continue with defecation, the rectum relaxes further to allow accommodation of the contents which further stimulates the external sphincter to contract.

Upper motor neuron lesiondamage above the defecation reflex center in the sacral cord Results to: 1. Abnormal storage of feces 2. Inability to recognize urge and distinguish contents 3. External sphincter dyssynergia

Lower motor neuron lesion – damage within the reflex defecation center Results to: 1. Fecal retention 2. Oozing of stool through the flaccid sphincter 3. Sensory and motor pathways are disrupted so the patient is unaware of urge to defecate and unable to exercise voluntary external anal sphincter

Assessment is through the bulbocavernosus reflex and the anal relfex

The bulbocavernosus reflex is a palpable or visible contraction of the anal sphincter when pressure is applied to the glans penis or clitoris. When contraction is present, (+) result. This indicates that the reflex activity of the sacral cord is intact and therefore the SCI is an UMN lesion. Should be tested soon after SCI, before the spinal shock passes.

The anal reflex is a visible contraction of the anal sphincter in response to a pinprick. A positive response indicates an UMN lesion.

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