The layers!! And the Jejunum, Duodenum, and Ileum.

The gastro-intestinal tract contains four main layers, the mucosa, the submucosa, muscularis and serosa. The innermost of these four layers is the mucosa, it is made of simple epithelium. The function of the epithelium lining is to be protective and/or able to absorb materials. The submucosa is made of dense irregular tissue containing blood vessels, and sometimes lymph nodes can be found at this layer, can be found between the mucosa and the muscularis. The muscularis itself has two layers, one is longitudinal (outer layer) and circular is the other.(inner layer) It consists of smooth muscle in most of the digestive tract.

The Duodenum, is the site where food breakdown occurs, while it passes through it. The duedenum is responsible for secreting hormones that trigger the pancreatic duct to release pancreatic juice and bile. It also helps protect the rest of the small intestine by neutralizing the chyme to some extent before it passes into the jejunum.

The Jejunum, it is part of the small intestine. It is located between the duodenum and the ileum. Containing great surface area, including folds, villi, and microvilli on top of the villi! Enzyme secretion and digestion , started in the stomach, continue here, with the absorption of glucose and amino acids begin.

The Ileum is located just before the Large intestine. Digestion is mostly completed before this point, but absorption into the blood continues here. It mainly absorbs B12 and bile salts.

I can relate this lesson to another family experience, my dad had to have some sort of surgery to stitch up a portion of his duodenum. I think it might of had something to Acid Reflux. I might be wrong, he also had to have something done to his esophagus.

digestionnn!

The digestive system is made up of what we call a tract! Going from your oral cavity all the way through the body exiting at the anal canal. The organs that make up the tract include; the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small+large intestine, colon, anus.. But these organs have a cool lining called the mucosa. The mucosa contains little teeny glands that make juice to help digest food, these glands can be found in the stomach, mouth, and small intestine. Also containing layers of smooth muscle helping to breakdown food and keeps it moving along. The top dogs, the liver and the pancreas also produce special juices that go to the intestines that reach them through ducts!

The gallbladder stores the liver's digestive juices until it's needed in the intestine. While I'm talking about the gallbladder, I am goign to tell a quick story. It must have been a month ago by now, but I was visiting a friend home from college. Her mother had just had surgery, and we were helping in anyway we could. Terri, Amy's mom sent us to the grocery store, picked up everything needed for dinner, she was so appreciative she invited me to stay for dinner. Amy and I prepared the meal, organic carrots, organic potatoes, leanist steak I have ever eaten, water for a beverage. I mean every bit I put into my body was healthy! About two hours after the delicious meal we had completed, I felt a severe pain in the middle of my chest..I had never felt this horrible sensation before. It was so bad I knew I needed to take a trip to the emergency room. Sitting anxiously in the waiting area for close to an hour in a half, I started to feel sick. Not from the pain, but an up set belly ache. I tried to say something to Amy, but before I could I lost my cookies. Feeling a little bit better, and the pain almost gone by the time the nurses got me into the ER, the signs and symptoms sound like a Gallbladder attack. And I needed to get an Ultrasound immediately, the results from the the US stated I had many little tiny stones blocking the ducts, causing the terrible pain I felt. Now I am scheduled for a removal of my gallbladder May 29. I'm quite scared, I am only 19 years old. The doctor says it should be an easy procedure, and I will most likely be able to go home later that day, depending on how I feel.