The digestive system is a long, continuous canal that is roughly 9 meters in length. It has two exits to the outside, one through the mouth and the other through the anus. Although there are differences in each location, the basic structure of the wall remains consistent throughout the tube's length.
The digestive tract's wall is made up of four layers, or tunics: mucosa, submucosa, muscular layer, serous layer, or serosa.
The mucosa, also known as the mucous membrane layer, is the wall's innermost tunic. It lines the digestive tract's lumen. The mucosa is made up of epithelium, lamina propria, and a loose connective tissue layer underneath it.
The muscularis mucosa is a thin layer of smooth muscle. The mucosa develops folds in specific areas, increasing the surface area. Mucus, digestive enzymes, and hormones are all secreted by cells in the mucosa. Other glands' ducts enter through the mucosa and into the lumen. The epithelium is stratified squamous tissue in the mouth and anus, where thickness is required for abrasion protection.
For secretion and absorption, the stomach and intestines have a thin simple columnar epithelial layer. The mucosa is surrounded by a thick layer of loose connective tissue called the submucosa. Blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves are all found in this stratum. This layer might have glands embedded in it.
The smooth muscle that controls digestive tract motions is divided into two layers: an inner circular layer and an outer longitudinal layer. Between the two muscular layers lies the myenteric plexus.
The adventitia is a connective tissue that covers the outermost layer of the digestive system. Serosa refers to the area beneath the diaphragm.