Digestive System: Organs and Functions

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. The main organs that make up the digestive system are the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the biliary system, which includes the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

The GI tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus The small intestine has three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum The large intestine includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the solid organs of the digestive system

The digestive process begins in the mouth, where the teeth and tongue break down food, and saliva mixes with it The food is further broken down in the esophagus and stomach, where strong acid and powerful enzymes are secret The stomach slowly empties its contents, called chyme, into the small intestine

The small intestine has muscles that mix food with digestive juices from the pancreas, liver, and intestine, and push the mixture forward for further digestion The walls of the small intestine absorb water and the digested nutrients into the bloodstream As peristalsis continues, the waste products of the digestive process move into the large intestine

The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

Nerves and hormones help control the digestive process The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can absorb and move the nutrients to where they are needed The large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder contribute to the digestive process by secretion of water and enzymes The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and various lipids for optimal digestion Bile produced in the liver is stored in the gallbladder, which contracts to release bile into the small intestine

The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste products. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through the GI tract, break food and liquid into smaller parts, or both Once foods are broken into small enough parts, the body can

Explore the intricate network of organs and glands comprising the digestive system, responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and excreting waste products. Learn about the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, biliary system, and the processes involved in digestion and absorption.