An Introduction to the Human Digestive System

The gastrointestinal tract which is  often known as the GI tract or digestive tract connected with  liver, pancreas, and gallbladder  make up the digestive system. Starting From the mouth to the anus, the GI tract is made up of a succession of hollow organs connected by a long and  twisting tube in which our mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus are the hollow organs which makeup the GI tract. The solid organs of the digestive system are the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

The small intestine is divided into three sections. The duodenum is the first section following with the ileum which  is at the end and the jejunum which  is in the middle. The appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum these all  are  parts of our large intestine. The appendix is a finger-shaped pouch which connects the cecum to the stomach. The initial section of the large intestine is known as the cecum. The colon will come next.  The large intestine ends at  rectum.

The mouth, salivary glands, oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, large and small intestines, appendix, rectum, and anus are all shown in this human model.

The bacteria in our  gastrointestinal system are often known as gut flora or microbiota which helps in  digestion. Parts of your nervous and circulatory systems also play a role. Nerves, hormones, germs, blood, and the organs of your digestive system work together to digest the meals and drinks we consume everyday. 

 Significance of digestion

Digestion is crucial because your body requires nutrients from food and drink in order to function correctly and stay healthy. Nutrients in our body include  proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water . Nutrients are broken down into small enough pieces for your body to absorb and utilise for energy, development, and cell repair via your digestive system.

1. Proteins are broken down to form Amino Acids.

2.Fatty acids and glycerol are formed when fats are broken down.

3.Simple sugars will be  formed when carbohydrates are broken down.

4.Nutrients are broken down into small enough pieces for your body to absorb via your digestive system.

Functions of digestive system

Each portion of our digestive system helps in the movement of food and fluids through your GI tract   as well as the breaking down of food and drink into smaller pieces. Our   body can absorb and transfer nutrients to where they are needed once foods are broken down into small enough pieces. Water is absorbed in our large intestine, while the waste products of digestion create faeces. The digestive system is connected  by nerves and hormones.

Movement of food via my gastrointestinal tract

Peristalsis is the process through which food passes through your GI tract. Out  GI tract consist of a   huge and  hollow organs which include a layer of muscle that allows their walls to move. Food and liquid are pushed through your GI tract, mixing the contents within each organ. The muscle in front of the meal contracts and squeezes the food forward, while the muscle behind it relaxes and allows the food to move.

When we put food in our mouth the process  of digestion  begins.

1.Mouth. When you eat, food begins to flow through your GI tract. The meal is pushed into our throat by our  tongue as we.  swallow. To prevent choking, a little flap of tissue called the epiglottis folds across your windpipe, allowing food to enter into your oesophagus.

2.Esophagus. When you start swallowing, it becomes second nature. Peristalsis begins when your brain sends a signal to the muscles of your oesophagus.

3.Sphincter of the lower oesophagus. When food reaches the end of your oesophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes, allowing food to enter into your stomach. It is  generally closed to prevent stomach contents from spilling back into your oesophagus.

4..Stomach. The stomach muscles combine the food and liquid with digestive juices after it reaches the stomach. The contents of your stomach, known as chyme, are gently emptied into your small intestine.

5. small intestine-: It is a part of our digestive system. The small intestine muscles helps food to comine  with digestive juices from the pancreas, liver and intestine pushing the mixture forward for digestion. The  wall’s of small intestine’s absorb water and digested nutrients into the blood  circulation. The waste products of the digestive process moves into the large intestine as digestion process  continues.

7.The large intestine is a part of the digestive system.Our  Undigested food bits, fluid, and aged cells from the lining of your GI tract are all waste products from the digestion process. The large intestine absorbs water and transforms liquid waste into faeces. Peristalsis helps in the movement of the faeces into the rectum.

8.Rectum. The rectum, which is at the bottom of your large intestine, holds stool until it pushes it out of your anus during a bowel movement.

Conclusion 

We conclude that the digestive system breaks down the meals we eat into their most basic components, such as glucose (sugars), amino acids (protein building blocks), and fatty acids (that make up fats). The nutrients are delivered to each cell in our  body once the broken-down food is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine.