Pepsin and amylase in oral and tracheal secretions: a pilot study

Mary Lou Sole1, Janet Conrad2, Melody Bennett2

  • 1Mary Lou Sole is Orlando Health Distinguished Professor, University of Central Florida, and a research scientist at Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida. Janet Conrad is a clinical scientist in the pediatric specialty diagnostic laboratory and Devendra Indulal Mehta is the director of the pediatric gastroenterology laboratory, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Orlando, Florida. Melody Bennett is a member of the adjunct faculty, University of Central Florida, and a staff nurse at Orlando Health. Aurea Middleton is a staff nurse at Orlando Health. Katherine Hay is a staff nurse at University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama. Suzanne Ashworth is a clinical nurse specialist in neurological critical care, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Florida. mary.sole@ucf.edu.

Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Pancreatic Juice and Secretion01:26

Pancreatic Juice and Secretion

Pancreatic juice is a clear fluid produced by the pancreas, containing water, salts, sodium bicarbonate, and enzymes vital for digestion in the small intestine. It helps break down large molecules, facilitating nutrient absorption.
When acidic chyme from the stomach enters the duodenum, it triggers the release of secretin, a hormone that prompts pancreatic juice secretion. After a fatty meal, cholecystokinin, another hormone, stimulates gallbladder contraction and enhances enzyme-rich...
3.4K
Accessory Organs01:31

Accessory Organs

Accessory organs are those that participate in the digestion of food but do not come into direct contact with it like the mouth, stomach, or intestine do. Accessory organs secrete enzymes into the digestive tract to facilitate the breakdown of food.
59.3K
Lipid Digestion01:06

Lipid Digestion

Lipids are large molecules that are generally not water-soluble. Since most of the digestive enzymes in the human body are water-based, there are specific steps the body must take to break down lipids and make them available for use.
72.9K
Protein Digestion01:02

Protein Digestion

Protein digestion begins in the stomach, where the highly acidic environment can easily disrupt protein structure by exposing the peptide bonds of polypeptide chains. After polypeptide chains are broken into individual amino acids by a series of digestive enzymes, the amino acids are transported to the liver via the bloodstream to produce energy.
85.8K
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
54
Salivary Glands and Saliva01:23

Salivary Glands and Saliva

The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
3.1K