Digestive tube
Digestive Tube
The Digestive Tube (pronounced: di-jes-tiv toob), also known as the Alimentary Canal or Gastrointestinal Tract, is a complex system in the body responsible for the process of digestion.
Etymology
The term "Digestive Tube" is derived from the Latin words 'digestus', which means 'divided', and 'tubus', which means 'pipe'.
Definition
The Digestive Tube is a long, continuous, hollow muscular tube that begins at the Oral Cavity and ends at the Anus. It is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste from the body.
Structure
The Digestive Tube is approximately 9 meters long in adults and is divided into several sections, each with a specific function. These sections include the Oral Cavity, Pharynx, Esophagus, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, and Anus.
Function
The primary function of the Digestive Tube is to break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body's cells. This process involves both mechanical and chemical digestion.
Related Terms
- Oral Cavity: The first part of the Digestive Tube where the process of digestion begins.
- Pharynx: A part of the Digestive Tube that connects the Oral Cavity and the Esophagus.
- Esophagus: A muscular tube that connects the Pharynx to the Stomach.
- Stomach: A muscular organ that further breaks down food using stomach acid.
- Small Intestine: The part of the Digestive Tube where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occur.
- Large Intestine: The final section of the Digestive Tube, responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter.
- Anus: The final part of the Digestive Tube, through which waste is expelled from the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Digestive tube
- Wikipedia's article - Digestive tube
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