DigestionPhases IncludePhases Include

1.1. IngestionIngestion

2.2. MovementMovement

3.3. AbsorptionAbsorption

4.4. EliminationElimination

Digestive System Organization

–StructuresStructures• MouthMouth• PharynxPharynx• EsophagusEsophagus• StomachStomach• Small intestineSmall intestine• Large IntestineLarge Intestine• RectumRectum

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MouthTeeth mechanically Teeth mechanically break down food into break down food into small pieces. Tongue small pieces. Tongue mixes food with saliva mixes food with saliva (contains amylase, (contains amylase, which helps break down which helps break down starch).starch).

Epiglottis is a flap-like Epiglottis is a flap-like structure at the back of structure at the back of the throat that closes the throat that closes over the trachea over the trachea preventing food from preventing food from entering it.entering it.

EsophagusApproximately 10Approximately 10”” long long

Functions include:Functions include:

1.1. Secrete Secrete mucusmucus

2.2. Moves food from the throat to Moves food from the throat to the stomach using muscle the stomach using muscle movement called movement called peristalsisperistalsis

LiverDirectly affects digestion by producing Directly affects digestion by producing bilebile

Bile helps digest Bile helps digest fatfat• filters out filters out toxinstoxins and waste including and waste including drugsdrugs and and

alcoholalcohol

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Gall Bladder

Stores bile Stores bile from the from the liver, releases it into the liver, releases it into the small intestine.small intestine.

Fatty diets can cause Fatty diets can cause gallstonesgallstones

Pancreas

Produces digestive Produces digestive enzymes to digest enzymes to digest fats, fats, carbohydrates carbohydrates and and proteinsproteins

Regulates blood sugar Regulates blood sugar by producing by producing insulininsulin

StomachJ-shaped muscular bag that stores the food J-shaped muscular bag that stores the food you eat, breaks it down into tiny pieces.you eat, breaks it down into tiny pieces.

Mixes food with Mixes food with digestive juices digestive juices that that contain enzymes to break down proteins contain enzymes to break down proteins and lipids.and lipids.

AcidAcid in the stomach kills bacteria. in the stomach kills bacteria.

Food found in the stomach is called Food found in the stomach is called chyme.chyme.

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Small IntestineSmall intestines are roughly Small intestines are roughly 77 meters long. meters long.

It completes the digestion of Carbohydrates , It completes the digestion of Carbohydrates , proteins and fats.proteins and fats.

Lining of intestine walls has finger-like Lining of intestine walls has finger-like projections called projections called villi,villi, to increase surface to increase surface area.area.

The walls of small intestine contain gland The walls of small intestine contain gland which secrete intestinal juices and the which secrete intestinal juices and the enzymes present in it convert proteins into enzymes present in it convert proteins into amino acids , complex carbohydrates into amino acids , complex carbohydrates into glucose and fats into fatty acids.glucose and fats into fatty acids.

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Small IntestineNutrients from the food pass into the Nutrients from the food pass into the bloodstreambloodstream through the small through the small intestine walls.intestine walls.

Absorbs:Absorbs:

80% ingested water80% ingested water

VitaminsVitamins

MineralsMinerals

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates

ProteinsProteins

LipidsLipids

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Large IntestineAbout About 5 feet 5 feet longlong

The unabsorbed food is sent into The unabsorbed food is sent into Large Intestine.Large Intestine.

Absorb Water and Concrete Waste.Absorb Water and Concrete Waste.

RectumRectum (short term storage which (short term storage which holds feces before it is expelled).holds feces before it is expelled).

• HOW LONG ARE YOUR INTESTINES? At least 25 feet in an adult. Be glad you're not a full-grown horse -- their coiled-up intestines are 89 feet long!

• Food drying up and hanging out in the large intestine can last 18 hours to 2 days!

• In your lifetime, your digestive system may handle about 50 tons!!

References and LinksYour Digestive System and How It WorksYour Digestive System and How It Works

Digestive system diagram comes from this siteDigestive system diagram comes from this site

The Real Deal on the Digestive SystemThe Real Deal on the Digestive System

Pancreas: Introduction and IndexPancreas: Introduction and Index

Your Gross and Cool Body - Digestive SystemYour Gross and Cool Body - Digestive System

04/12/23

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