The Digestive System

The Digestive System

• The purpose of the digestive system is to break down food into a usable form, absorb nutrients, and transport them to cells throughout the body.

Parts of the Digestive System

• Mouth
• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small Intestine
• Large Intestine
• Liver (A)
• Gallbladder (B)
• Pancreas (C)

Digestion

• Food is broken down into a usable form through mechanical and chemical digestion.
• Mechanical digestion involves tearing, crushing, and mashing food, while chemical digestion involves enzymes breaking down food into nutrients.

Path of Food Through the Body

• Mouth: food is shredded and mixed with saliva, breaking down starches into simple sugars.
• Esophagus: food is pushed into the stomach.
• Stomach: food is broken down into a liquid mixture.
• Small Intestine: digested food passes into the bloodstream through villi, finger-like projections that absorb nutrients.
• Large Intestine: water is absorbed, and waste is stored until eliminated.
• Rectum/Anus: solid waste is eliminated from the body.

Accessory Organs in Digestive System

• Liver: produces bile, breaking down fat.
• Gallbladder: stores bile, releasing it to the small intestine when needed.
• Pancreas: produces enzymes that flow into the small intestine to help neutralize stomach acid.

The Five-Stage Process of Digestion

• A. Ingestion: taking in food through the mouth.
• B. Propulsion: movement of food throughout the alimentary canal/digestive tract.
• C. Digestion: breakdown of food into smaller pieces through mechanical and chemical digestion.
• D. Absorption: taking in of nutrients from digested food into the cells of the body.
• E. Defecation: excretion or release of waste materials that are not absorbed by the body.

Disorders of the Digestive System

• GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease, where acid-containing contents in the stomach leak back up into the esophagus, irritating the lining.
• HEPATITIS: caused by the virus HBV or HCV, leading to liver damage and potentially cancer.
• Crohn's disease: a type of inflammatory bowel disease, causing inflammation of the digestive tract.
• IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, where the muscles in the bowel wall contract too forcefully or weakly.
• STOMACH ULCERS: open, painful sores in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine.
• APPENDICITIS: inflammation of the appendix.
• DIARRHEA: frequent passage of loose, watery stools, often caused by stress, anxiety, or infections.
• COLON CANCER: cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum, detected through colonoscopy.
• CONSTIPATION: infrequent bowel movements, often due to changes in diet or routine, or inadequate intake of fiber.
• GASTRITIS: inflammation of the lining of the stomach, resulting in loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, and discomfort after eating.

Caring for the Digestive System

• Eating a healthy diet, managing stress, and exercising regularly to keep the digestive system healthy.
• The digestive system is crucial for breaking down food into simpler forms, and every system in the body depends on it to function properly.