Alimentary canal

Alimentary Canal

The alimentary canal or gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is a complex system in the body of mammals, including humans, that takes in food, digests it to extract and absorb energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste as feces. The alimentary canal includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Structure

The alimentary canal is a long tube-like structure that extends from the mouth to the anus. It is divided into several sections, each with a specific function in the process of digestion.

Mouth

The mouth is the entry point for food into the alimentary canal. It is responsible for the initial breakdown of food through the process of mastication (chewing), which is aided by the saliva produced by the salivary glands.

Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It transports food from the mouth to the stomach through a process known as peristalsis.

Stomach

The stomach is a muscular organ that further breaks down food through the action of gastric acid and enzymes. It also serves as a temporary storage site for food.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is the longest part of the alimentary canal. It is where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place. The small intestine is divided into three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from the remaining indigestible food matter, and transmits the useless waste material from the body.

Rectum and Anus

The rectum and anus are the final parts of the alimentary canal. They are responsible for the expulsion of feces from the body.

Function

The primary function of the alimentary canal is to process food. This involves several stages, including ingestion, digestion, absorption, and defecation.

See Also

• Digestive system
• Human gastrointestinal tract
• Peristalsis