MEDT200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Subclavian Vein, Thoracic Cavity, Thoracic Duct
22 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Digestive or gastrointestinal system performs three main functions. Digestive enzymes aid conversion of complex nutrients into simpler molecules. Water soluble digested nutrients pass into bloodstream through walls of small intestine. Intestines are long tube with muscular outer layer which is responsible for moving the food through while it takes place, lumen. There are curved tissues, villus/villi, provide greater surface area. Water soluble molecules get absorbed and go to portal circulation which takes fluid, blood, and molecules to the liver. Fat soluble molecules, lipid soluble nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal lymphatic system into the thoracic duct which empties into the bloodstreams at the left subclavian vein. Nutrients travel to all cells of the body. Body eliminates solid waste materials that cannot be absorbed into bloodstream. The wastes pass out of the body through the anus. Everything except the thoracic cavity exists above the diaphragm. Mesentery is the covering of the gastrointestinal tract,
