Things you should know about your digestive tract to help u keep a good health

 

                     Movements of Gastrointestinal Tract

MASTICATION

Mastication or chewing is the frst mechanical process

in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, by which the food

substances are torn or cut into small particles and

crushed or ground into a soft bolus.

Signifcances of mastication

1. Breakdown of foodstuffs into smaller particles

2. Mixing of saliva with food substances thoroughly

3. Lubrication and moistening of dry food by saliva, so

that the bolus can be easily swallowed

4. Appreciation of taste of the food.

MUSCLES OF MASTICATION

Muscles of Mastication
1. Masseter muscle
2. Temporal muscle
3. Pterygoid muscles
4. Buccinator muscle

Movements of Mastication
1. Opening and closure of mouth
2. Rotational movements of jaw

Action of mastication is mostly a reflex process. It is
carried out voluntarily also. The center for mastication
is situated in medulla and cerebral cortex. Muscles of
mastication are supplied by mandibular division of 5th
cranial (trigeminal) nerve.
3. Protraction and retraction of jaw.

DEGLUTITION

Defnition
Deglutition or swallowing is the process by which food
moves from mouth into stomach.
Stages of Deglutition
Deglutition occurs in three stages:
I. Oral stage, when food moves from mouth to
pharynx
II. Pharyngeal stage, when food moves from
pharynx to esophagus
III. Esophageal stage, when food moves from
esophagus to stomach.
„ ORAL STAGE OR FIRST STAGE
Oral stage of deglutition is a voluntary stage. In this
stage, the bolus from mouth passes into pharynx by
means of series of actions