The Digestive System

The digestive system starts with the gastrointestinal tract, also called the alimentary canal. This canal starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. The functions of the digestive system are: ingestion, secretion, mixing, digestion, absorption, and defecation. There are four layers of the alimentary canal. The first later is the mucosa layer that is made of simple c. epithelium. This layer is avascular and the cells in this area are constantly being replaced. The second layer is the submucosa layer. This layer is highly vascular and is made of dense irregular connective tissue. The third layer is the muscularis. This layer consist of the circular and longitual layers. This is made of smooth muscle. The last layer is serosa which is made of areolar connective tissue and is also highly vascular.

Most of us eat on a daily basis and the digestive system is working all the time. Could you imagine having Achalasia? Your probably thinking what in the world is that. Achalasia is a muscular disorder in the esophagus. This disorder makes it very difficult to swallow and sometimes your food does not even reach your stomach. I am thankful that I do not have this. It would make it very difficult to eat.