DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Human digestive system, the 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 absorbable into the bloodstream. The system also consists of the structures through which wastes pass in the process of elimination and other organs that contribute juices necessary for the digestive process.
MOUTH Teeth- The teeth are hard, white structures found in the mouth. They help us in chewing the food before swallowing. Tongue-the tongue helps us in speaking and tasting. It has specialized cells known as taste buds. Salivary glands-Food is tasted and mixed with saliva that is secreted by several sets of glands known as salivary glands.
OESOPHAGUS Esophagus is located in your throat near your trachea (windpipe), the esophagus receives food from your mouth when you swallow. By means of a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis, the esophagus delivers food to your stomach. It is also known as food pipe.
LIVER The liver has multiple functions, but its main function within the digestive system is to process the nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. It takes the raw materials absorbed by the intestine and makes all the various chemicals the body needs to function. It breaks down and secretes many drugs. It secretes bile juice.
STOMACH The stomach is a hollow organ or container that holds food while it is being mixed with enzymes that continue the process of breaking down food into a usable form. When the contents of the stomach are sufficiently processed, they are released into the small intestine. It secretes gastric juice.
PANCREAS The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine. These enzymes break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates. The pancreas also makes insulin, secreting it directly into the bloodstream. It secretes bile juice.
SMALL INTESTINE Contents of the small intestine start out semi-solid, and end in a liquid form after passing through the organ. Water, bile, enzymes, and mucous contribute to the change in consistency. Once the nutrients have been absorbed and the leftover-food residue.
LARGE INTESTINE The large intestine is always in vertebrate animals. Its function is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food matter, and then to pass useless waste material from the body. The large intestine is about 4.9 feet long, which is about onefifth of the whole length of the intestinal canal.
RECTUM The rectum (Latin for "straight") is an 8-inch chamber that connects the colon to the anus. . When anything (gas or stool) comes into the rectum, sensors send a message to the brain. The brain then decides if the rectal contents can be released or not.
ANUS The anus is the last part of the digestive tract. It is a 2inch long canal. The lining of the upper anus is specialized to detect rectal contents. It lets you know whether the contents are liquid, gas, or solid. The anus is surrounded by sphincter muscles that are important in allowing control of stool.
