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The digestive system of the human body comprises a group of organs working together to convert food into energy for the body. Anatomically, the digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract, along with accessory organs such as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder.
- 2 min
- The digestive system consists of the alimentary canal and the accessory organs. Their main function is to break down the ingested food into its com...
- Accessory organs are organs which are not part of the digestive system; however, they aid in the digestion process by performing many secondary fun...
- The process of digestion involves the following steps, namely: Ingestion Mixing and Movement Secretion Digestion Absorption Excretion
- Mouth & Buccal Cavity Pharynx Oesophagus Stomach Small Intestine Rectum
- The tongue is not a part of the digestive system, but it provides support functions such as moving and manipulating the food within the buccal cavi...
- Overview
- Structures and functions of the human digestive system
- Mouth and oral structures
human digestive system, system used in the human body for the process of digestion. The human digestive system consists primarily of the digestive tract, or the series of structures and organs through which food and liquids pass during their processing into forms that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The system also consists of the structures through which wastes pass in the process of elimination and of organs that contribute juices necessary for the digestive process.
In order to function properly, the human body requires nutrients. Some such nutrients serve as raw materials for the synthesis of cellular materials, while others help regulate chemical reactions or, upon oxidation, yield energy. Many nutrients, however, are in a form that is unsuitable for immediate use by the body; to be useful, they must undergo physical and chemical changes, which are facilitated by digestion.
The digestive tract begins at the lips and ends at the anus. It consists of the mouth, or oral cavity, with its teeth, for grinding the food, and its tongue, which serves to knead food and mix it with saliva; the throat, or pharynx; the esophagus; the stomach; the small intestine, consisting of the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum; and the large intestine, consisting of the cecum, a closed-end sac connecting with the ileum, the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon, which terminates in the rectum. Glands contributing digestive juices include the salivary glands, the gastric glands in the stomach lining, the pancreas, and the liver and its adjuncts—the gallbladder and bile ducts. All of these organs and glands contribute to the physical and chemical breaking down of ingested food and to the eventual elimination of nondigestible wastes. Their structures and functions are described step by step in this section.
Britannica Quiz
Little digestion of food actually takes place in the mouth. However, through the process of mastication, or chewing, food is prepared in the mouth for transport through the upper digestive tract into the stomach and small intestine, where the principal digestive processes take place. Chewing is the first mechanical process to which food is subjected. Movements of the lower jaw in chewing are brought about by the muscles of mastication (the masseter, the temporal, the medial and lateral pterygoids, and the buccinator). The sensitivity of the periodontal membrane that surrounds and supports the teeth, rather than the power of the muscles of mastication, determines the force of the bite.
Mastication is not essential for adequate digestion. Chewing does aid digestion, however, by reducing food to small particles and mixing it with the saliva secreted by the salivary glands. The saliva lubricates and moistens dry food, while chewing distributes the saliva throughout the food mass. The movement of the tongue against the hard palate and the cheeks helps to form a rounded mass, or bolus, of food.
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The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs of digestion (the tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder). Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and smaller components, until they can be absorbed and assimilated into the body.
May 23, 2023 · What happens when we eat and during digestion? Here, learn about the parts of the digestive system, how they work, and how to recognize any problems.
- During digestion, food passes through the following stages: the mouth, the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine, or col...
- First, the teeth, tongue, and saliva turn food into a bolus, which is small and liquid enough to pass through the esophagus. Next, the bolus enters...
- Tips include drinking plenty of water, eating a varied diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and whole foods, establishing regular bowel habits, see...
Digestion is important because your body needs nutrients from food and drink to work properly and stay healthy. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water are nutrients. Your digestive system breaks nutrients into parts small enough for your body to absorb and use for energy, growth, and cell repair.
Aug 9, 2021 · Digestion is important because your body needs nutrients from the food you eat and the liquids you drink in order to stay healthy and function properly. Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.
Digestion: How the body breaks down food. What happens when we eat and during digestion? Here, learn about the parts of the digestive system, how they work, and how to recognize any problems.
