Flowchart Science: The Human Body: The Digestive System

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Muscular tube that conduct the bolus to the stomach; It has upper sphincter (opens with swallow reflex and allows the bolus to enter the esophagus) and lower sphincter (controls emptying of the esophagus content to the stomach) Chemical Digestion: The food then enters the stomach, where it is acted upon by gastric juices containing enzymes that break down proteins. The acidic environment of the stomach also helps in killing harmful bacteria. Made up of three segments -- the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum -- the small intestine also breaks down food using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver. The small intestine is the 'workhorse' of digestion, as this is where most nutrients are absorbed. Peristalsis is also at work in this organ, moving food through and mixing it up with the digestive secretions from the pancreas and liver, including bile. The duodenum is largely responsible for the continuing breakdown process, with the jejunum and ileum being mainly responsible for absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

Feel free to ask your questions or participate in ongoing discussions. Our team of experts, as well as fellow In the middle of a meal, peristalsis and stomach acid rev up. Gastric secretions are at an all-time high mid-meal. The muscular stomach is rapidly mixing food and drink with hydrochloric acid. This ensures plenty of fluid in which to break down each bite of food. After food is liquified, it is referred to as chyme.At end of the journey through the small intestine, most nutrients from digested food have been absorbed. But not everything you eat is an absorbable nutrient. So, what happens to the parts of your food that your body doesn’t need? In the large intestine, undigested material, excess fluids, and mucus all combine to form stool. (There are many more colorful names for it, but stool is the preferred medical term, and what you’ll see moving forward.) Egestion: The undigested material is moved into the rectum by peristalsis, stored temporarily, and then egested through the cloacal aperture. As the peristaltic waves continue into the colon, the chyme continues to move along the tract. Further absorption of electrolytes and water from the remaining chyme occurs and the chyme is then converted into stool, which is stored in the rectum. As the rectum becomes distended, the stretch receptors signal to the brain that promotes defecation. While the internal anal sphincters are under autonomic regulation, the external anal sphincters are under voluntary control. Therefore the individual may resist the urge to defecate until an appropriate time and place is identified. Organs of the digestive system Breaks down spent erythrocytes -> production of bilirubin -> bilirubin sent to the liver -> secreted in the bile Pancreatic Juice: This alkaline juice contains enzymes that act on all three classes of food, breaking down proteins into amino acids, starch into maltose, and emulsified fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Sigmoid colon - contracts to increase pressure inside the colon, causing the stool to move into the rectum Alimentary canal is a long muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach and is part of the digestive system. It extends approximately 9 metres in length.Accessory organs are organs which participate in the digestion process but are not actually a part of GIT. They stimulate the digestion by releasing certain enzymes that help in breaking down the food. Histologically, the liver is a complex organ composed of numerous tubules or lobules. These lobules interconnect, forming a reticulated structure, leading to its designation as the retinal gland. Each lobule is demarcated by connective tissue, which houses liver ducts, bile capillaries, and blood sinuses and capillaries. Well, okay, the large intestine doesn't use a tea towel, but it does absorb moisture and nutrients from the food. The mouth is the initial part of the alimentary canal. It includes teeth and salivary glands. The teeth help in the mechanical breakdown of food while the salivary glands release saliva that mixes with food to make it soft. Pharynx

Goblet Cells: These are large cells characterized by the presence of oval vacuoles and granular substances. Their primary function is to produce mucus, which aids in the smooth passage of food. The nucleus of goblet cells is located near the base of the cell. Think of the apple. In the afternoon, when you need something to tide you over until the evening meal, an apple is a great choice. Just thinking of the crunchy fruit and the sweet, tangy, juice can make your mouth water. The epiglottis closes off the larynx to prevent food from entering the airway. The vocal cords are also adducted as an additional protective measure.Digestive Tract Fact #4 – It takes four to five hours for the stomach to completely empty into the small intestine after a meal. Large Intestine A mixer: the mode of contraction and arrangement of the stomach mucosa results in further mixing of the food contents to form chyme. Let’s say you decide to eat more than just an apple. Instead you have yogurt, a turkey sandwich, and some carrots, too. That is a lot of food for your body to store in one sitting. Since your stomach is designed to accommodate full meals, you don’t need to worry about bursting at the seams. Your tummy will take each bite in stride, and process the full meal over the next several hours. The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system, and, in fact, digestion starts here before you even take the first bite of a meal. The smell of food triggers the salivary glands in your mouth to secrete saliva, causing your mouth to water. When you actually taste the food, saliva increases. The absence of salivary glands in frogs means that lubrication of food is facilitated by mucus secreted from the lining of the bucco-pharyngeal cavity and esophagus. The food is then propelled down the esophagus by peristalsis, a wave-like contraction of the muscular wall.

Bile, an essential secretion of the liver, travels from the liver to the gallbladder through cystic ducts. Additionally, it can directly enter the bile duct via small liver channels. The convergence of the cystic and hepatic ducts gives rise to the common bile duct, which traverses through the pancreas before emptying into the duodenum. This duct, due to its connection with the pancreatic ducts, is often referred to as the hepatopancreatic duct. Furthermore, the mouth’s primary function is to aid in the ingestion of food. This process, known as ingestion, is the first step in the frog’s digestive journey. Once the food is captured and ingested through the mouth, it then proceeds to the next stages of the alimentary canal for further digestion and nutrient absorption. Peristalsis helps pump chyme into the small intestine while you eat. Once your meal is over, stomach acid secretion comes to a halt. But there may be excess acid. When too much gastric juice remains in the stomach after a meal, irritation of the stomach lining can occur. To protect itself, the stomach adjusts acid production to stay healthy and keep you comfortable.

For its sustenance and functionality, the liver receives blood via the hepatic arterial vein and the hepatic portal vein. These vessels supply the essential materials required for bile production. The intestine, following the stomach, is a crucial segment of the alimentary canal, tasked with the continuation of the digestive process and the absorption of nutrients. It is a tubular, elongated, and coiled structure, affixed to the dorsal body wall by mesentery, ensuring its secure placement within the body cavity. The aforementioned layers, especially the mucosa, undergo significant changes in different parts of the alimentary canal, adapting to the specific functions of each segment.