Digestive Glands: Definition, Function, Diagram, Examples

What Are Digestive Glands?

Digestive glands are part of the digestive system, specially designed to produce and secrete certain enzymes accompanied by other substances in charge of food digestion. They are, therefore, of great significance in breaking down ingested food into molecules simple enough to be easily absorbed and utilised by the body. In their absence, digestion would have its efficiency reduced considerably, often giving rise to phenomena of malnutrition and several gastrointestinal disorders.

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This Story also Contains

1. What Are Digestive Glands?
2. Types Of Digestive Glands
3. Functions Of Digestive Glands
4. Disorders Of Digestive Glands
5. The Video Recommended On Digestive Glands:

The digestive glands release secretions that discharge enzymes and other chemicals necessary for the digestion of a food constituent material into its basic energies or respective nutrients. These glands include the salivary, gastric, pancreatic, hepatic, gallbladder, and intestinal glands, each of them distinctly contributing to digestion.

Types Of Digestive Glands

Several types of digestive glands form a part of the digestive system; each is involved in performing the activity of digestion and absorption of foodstuffs. These glands synthesise enzymes and other substances that aid in digestion. They convert complex foodstuffs into simpler, absorbable molecules that help in the process of digestion. The different forms of digestive glands include:

Salivary Glands

• Types: Parotid, Submandibular, and Sublingual

• Function: Saliva secretion, enzyme production (amylase)

Gastric Glands

• Types: Cardiac, Fundic, Pyloric

• Function: Secretion of gastric juices, HCl, pepsinogen

Pancreas

• Structure: Exocrine and endocrine parts

• Function: Enzyme secretion, hormone production

Liver

• Structure: Lobes and lobules

• Function: Bile production, detoxification, metabolism

Gallbladder

• Function: Storing and concentrating bile

Intestinal Glands

• Location: Crypts of Lieberkuhn in the small intestine

• Function: Secretion of intestinal juices, digestive enzymes

Diagram: Types Of Digestive Glands

The diagram given below shows the structure and location of digestive glands.

Functions Of Digestive Glands

Digestive glands perform some very vital functions that are necessary for the normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Food Breakdown

• Mechanical and Chemical Digestion: The food is mechanically broken down in the digestive glands and chemically digested by enzymatic action.

• The action of Enzymes on Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats: The ingested enzymes released from these glands work on specific macromolecular entities to break them down into units that can be absorbed.

Absorption Of Nutrients

• Emulsification of Fats by Bile: Bile from the liver emulsifies fats, preparing them for digestion.

• Absorption Processes of Nutrients, Enzyme-Specific: It is ensured that all nutrients will be completely digested and absorbed due to enzymes from both the pancreas and intestines.

Disorders Of Digestive Glands

There are many disorders which affect the digestive glands and thus affect their functioning, leading to digestive disorders.

Salivary Gland Disorders

• Common Issues: Mumps, sialolithiasis

• Symptoms and Treatments: Swelling, pain, dry mouth; treatments may include medication or surgery.

Gastric Gland Disorders

• Common Issues: Gastritis, ulcers

• Symptoms and Treatments: Stomach pain, nausea, bleeding; treatments involve medication and lifestyle changes.

Pancreatic Disorders

• Common Issues: Pancreatitis, diabetes

• Symptoms and Treatments: Abdominal pain, digestive problems, high blood sugar. Treatments may include medication, dietary changes, and insulin therapy.

Liver Disorders

• Common Issues: Hepatitis, cirrhosis

• Symptoms and Treatments: Jaundice, fatigue, liver dysfunction; treatments include medication, lifestyle adjustments, and in such serious cases, liver transplantation.

Gallbladder Disorders

• Common Issues: Gallstones, cholecystitis

• Symptoms and Treatments: Pain, nausea, jaundice; medication or surgical removal of the gallbladder

Conclusion

In summary, digestive glands are very essential for the digestive system to work correctly in ensuring that there will always be a breakdown and absorption of nutrients necessary for health. With the advancement of medical research, more understanding of the disorders of the digestive gland has been revealed to apply better treatments benefiting the patients. Balanced diets alongside water intake, regular exercise, and regular medical checkups are important attributes towards living with healthy digestive glands.

The Video Recommended On Digestive Glands: