Fundamental Physiology and Anatomy of the Digestive System

Simply put, the digestive system is a portal for nutrients from the environment to gain access to the circulatory system. Before such transfer can occur, foodstuffs first have to be reduced to very simple molecules by a combination of mechanical and enzymatic degradation. The resulting sugars, amino acids, fatty acids and the like are then transported across the epithelium lining the intestine into blood.

The focus of this section is to examine the "big picture" of digestive physiology and to look at fundamental aspects of digestive system structure.

Core concepts required for understanding digestive structure and function:

• Overview of the Digestive System
• Basic Functional Anatomy
• Microscopic Anatomy of the Digestive Tube
• Microbial Life in the Digestive Tract
• Review of Food Chemistry

Advanced and supplemental information on digestive system structure and function:

• Peritoneum, Mesentery and Omentum
• The Gastrointestinal Immune System
• Dietary Polysaccarides: Structure and Digestion

Send comments to Richard.Bowen@colostate.edu