The organs that take in food and turn it into products that the body can use to stay healthy. Waste products the body cannot use leave the body through bowel movements. The digestive system includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines, and rectum.
A series of organs and glands that process food. Includes the digestive tract and associated organs (e.g., liver, gall bladder, pancreas).
One of the 10 body systems consisting of a group of organs responsible for the breakdown and absorption of food substances. The major organs of the are the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
The set of organs such as the stomach, liver and pancreas which are associated with the digestion of food.
Those parts of the body that function in a coordinated manner for the digestion and absorption of food. The digestive system includes the digestive tube and accessory organs (e.g., gallbladder, liver) that secrete enzymes used in digestion. Also; digestive tract.
The organs that take food into the body, break it down into chemical components, extract nutrients to provide energy for the body’s cells, and rid the body of the waste products. Also known as the gastrointestinal system, the digestive system can be considered to be a long tube stretching the full length of the body from the mouth to the anus; related organs such as the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, assist in the digestive process along the way.
The alimentary canal (oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines) and the accessory organs (teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, and pancreas).
Responsible for breaking down foods into nutrients and wastes; consists of the mouth, stomach, intestines, salivary and gastric glands and other organs.
The organs that take in food and turn it into products that the body can use to stay healthy. The digestive system includes the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, small and large intestines and rectum.
The digestive system is a collection of organs that work collectively to facilitate the process of digestion. It comprises the digestive tract, also referred to as the alimentary tract or canal, along with several other associated organs. Together, these components play crucial roles in breaking down ingested food, extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste materials from the body.
The digestive system is a collection of organs that work collectively to facilitate the process of digestion. It comprises the digestive tract, also referred to as the alimentary tract or canal, along with several other associated organs. Together, these components play crucial roles in breaking down ingested food, extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste materials from the body.
The digestive tract, also known as the alimentary tract or canal, is composed of several interconnected organs essential for the process of digestion. These organs include the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus (gullet), stomach, intestines, and anus. The intestines are further divided into the small intestine, which consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and the large intestine, encompassing the cecum, colon, and rectum. Alongside the digestive tract, there are associated organs such as the salivary glands, liver, and pancreas. These organs play a crucial role by secreting digestive juices that aid in the breakdown of food as it traverses through the digestive system.
The movement of food and digested products from the throat to the rectum occurs through a process called peristalsis. Peristalsis refers to the rhythmic waves of muscular contractions that occur along the walls of the intestines. These contractions propel the contents of the digestive tract forward, allowing for the efficient transport of food and digested material throughout the entire length of the digestive system.
Prior to absorption into the bloodstream, food undergoes a process of being broken down into simpler substances. The physical breakdown commences with the cutting and chewing action of the teeth, while the stomach further aids in this process by churning the food. Chemical breakdown occurs through the actions of enzymes, acids, and salts. Carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars, proteins are broken down into polypeptides, peptides, and amino acids, and fats are broken down into glycerol, glycerides, and fatty acids. These transformations enable the body to efficiently extract and utilize the essential components of the ingested food.
In the mouth, saliva plays a crucial role in food lubrication and contains enzymes that initiate the breakdown of carbohydrates. The tongue assists in shaping the food into small balls, known as boli, to facilitate easy swallowing. The food then moves into the pharynx and is subsequently propelled into the esophagus, where it is squeezed down towards the stomach. Within the stomach, the food is mixed with hydrochloric acid and pepsin. These substances, generated by the stomach lining, aid in the breakdown of proteins. Once the food reaches a semi-liquid consistency, it passes into the duodenum. Here, bile salts and acids, produced by the liver, aid in the breakdown of fats present in the food. Additionally, the pancreas releases digestive juices into the duodenum, which contain enzymes that further facilitate the breakdown of food.
The final stages of food breakdown occur within the small intestine, facilitated by enzymes produced by glands in the intestinal lining. The absorption of nutrients takes place in the small intestine through tiny finger-like projections called villi, which extend from the intestinal wall. The remaining food residue proceeds into the large intestine, where a significant portion of the water it contains is absorbed by the colon’s lining. Undigested matter is eliminated from the body through the rectum and anus in the form of feces.