YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND HOW IT WORKS GOOGLE SEARCH
The human digestive system breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste, starting with the mouth and ending with the anus, with key organs like the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine playing crucial roles.
Key Organs and Their Functions:
- Mouth: Food is chewed and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that start breaking down carbohydrates.
- Esophagus: A muscular tube that pushes the food (bolus) down to the stomach through a process called peristalsis.
- Stomach: The stomach churns and mixes food with gastric juices, further breaking down proteins and forming a soupy mixture called chyme.
- Small Intestine: The primary site for nutrient absorption, where the pancreas and liver secrete enzymes and bile to further break down food, and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Large Intestine: Absorbs water and electrolytes, and forms solid waste (feces) that is then stored before elimination.
- Anus: The opening through which feces are eliminated.
- Accessory organs: The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas, which produce digestive juices and help with the breakdown of fats and other nutrients.
The Digestive Process:
- Ingestion: Food enters the digestive tract through the mouth.
- Propulsion: The movement of food through the digestive tract via peristalsis (muscle contractions).
- Mechanical Digestion: The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces (chewing, churning).
- Chemical Digestion: The breakdown of food molecules into smaller, absorbable units using enzymes and acids.
- Absorption: The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken into the bloodstream.
- Defecation: The elimination of undigested waste materials from the body.
Digestive System Processes:
- Digestion: The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body.
- Absorption: The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken into the bloodstream.
- Elimination: The process of removing undigested waste from the body.
Digestive Health:
- Maintaining a healthy digestive system: Consuming a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help maintain a healthy digestive system.
- Common digestive problems: Constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are some common digestive problems.