Digestive System Overview

Overview

• The digestive system is a complex process by which the body breaks down and absorbs nutrients from food.
• It involves the coordination of multiple organs and enzymes to convert food into energy and nutrients.

Mouth

• Food enters the mouth, where teeth chew it into smaller pieces (mechanical digestion).
• Saliva, produced by salivary glands, contains the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars (chemical digestion).

Esophagus

• The esophagus is a muscular tube that uses peristalsis (muscular contractions) to propel food into the stomach.

Stomach

• The stomach is a sac-like organ that secretes digestive enzymes and acids to break down proteins and fats.
• Gastric juices, containing pepsin and hydrochloric acid, further break down food into smaller molecules.

Small Intestine

• The small intestine is a long, thin tube where most nutrient absorption takes place.
• Pancreatic juices and bile from the liver and gallbladder, respectively, aid in fat digestion and absorption.
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls.

Large Intestine (Colon)

• The large intestine, also known as the colon, absorbs water and electrolytes, and stores and eliminates waste.
• The colon is home to a diverse community of microbes, known as the gut microbiome.

Accessory Organs

• Liver: produces bile, filters blood, and regulates metabolism.
• Gallbladder: stores and releases bile into the small intestine.
• Pancreas: produces digestive enzymes and hormones, such as insulin and glucagon.

Processes

• Ingestion: taking food into the body.
• Digestion: breaking down food into smaller molecules.
• Absorption: movement of nutrients into the bloodstream.
• Elimination: removal of waste products from the body.

Digestive System Overview

• The digestive system is a complex process that breaks down and absorbs nutrients from food through the coordination of multiple organs and enzymes.
• The system converts food into energy and nutrients.

Mouth

• Teeth perform mechanical digestion, breaking down food into smaller pieces.
• Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars through chemical digestion.

Esophagus

• The esophagus is a muscular tube that uses peristalsis (muscular contractions) to propel food into the stomach.

Stomach

• The stomach is a sac-like organ that secretes digestive enzymes and acids to break down proteins and fats.
• Gastric juices contain pepsin and hydrochloric acid, which further break down food into smaller molecules.

Small Intestine

• The small intestine is a long, thin tube where most nutrient absorption takes place.
• Pancreatic juices and bile from the liver and gallbladder, respectively, aid in fat digestion and absorption.
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls.

Large Intestine (Colon)

• The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes, and stores and eliminates waste.
• The colon is home to a diverse community of microbes, known as the gut microbiome.

Accessory Organs

• The liver produces bile, filters blood, and regulates metabolism.
• The gallbladder stores and releases bile into the small intestine.
• The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones, such as insulin and glucagon.

Processes

• Ingestion: taking food into the body through the mouth.
• Digestion: breaking down food into smaller molecules through mechanical and chemical digestion.
• Absorption: movement of nutrients into the bloodstream through the intestinal walls.
• Elimination: removal of waste products from the body through the large intestine.