Human digestive system

Human Digestive System

The Human Digestive System is a complex series of organs and glands that process food. It is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair.

Diagram of the Human Digestive System

Anatomy of the Digestive System

The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract, also known as the digestive tract, and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The digestive tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. These organs include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.

Mouth

The process of digestion begins in the mouth, where food is broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva.

Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It uses rhythmic, wave-like muscle movements (called peristalsis) to force food from the throat into the stomach.

Stomach

The stomach is a muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. It secretes acid and enzymes that digest food.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occur. It is divided into three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Large Intestine

The large intestine is responsible for processing waste so that emptying the bowels is easy and convenient.

Liver, Pancreas, and Gallbladder

The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are essential for digestion. The liver produces bile, the pancreas produces enzymes that help break down foods, and the gallbladder stores the bile produced by the liver.

Function of the Digestive System

The human digestive system breaks down the food into nutrients and energy that the body can use. The waste products of this process include undigested parts of the food, known as fiber, and older cells that have been shed from the mucosa. These materials are pushed into the colon, where they remain until the feces are expelled by a bowel movement.

Diagram of the Human Digestive System

See Also

• Gastroenterology
• Human anatomy
• Human physiology