Digestive

Digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that processes food. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break the food down into smaller molecules that it can process; it also has to excrete waste.

Anatomy of the Digestive System

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract—also called the GI tract or digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus.

Mouth

The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts here as soon as you take the first bite of a meal.

Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube extending from the pharynx and behind the trachea to the stomach.

Stomach

The stomach is a hollow organ, or "container," that holds food while it is being mixed with stomach enzymes.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is a 22-foot long muscular tube that breaks down food using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver.

Pancreas

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine.

Liver and Gallbladder

The liver has multiple functions, but its main function within the digestive system is to process the nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.

Diseases of the Digestive System

There are many diseases that can affect the digestive system, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and celiac disease.

See Also

• Gastrointestinal tract
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Gallbladder

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