Digestive & Excretory Systems
The digestion & after digestion processes
The Digestive System - the body system that digests food
Functions of the Organs
Mouth: you mechanically break down food, and saliva mixes with it and breaks it down as you swallow it
Esophagus: carries food to the stomach
Stomach: digests the food through stomach muscles, acids, and enzymes
small intestine: where the majority of digestion takes place, and absorbs the nutrients from the food
Small Intestine: where the majority of digestion takes place, and absorbs the nutrients from the food
Large Intestine: absorbs water from the indigestible food left
Anus: a ringlike muscle that pushes the waste out the body
Liver: continues to digest food, and metabolizes it
Pancreas: converts food into energy
Why is Large Food Digestion so Important?
Enzymes
Digestive System Diagram
Disorders of the Digestive System
Lactose Intolerance - Lactose Intolerance is a disorder in which a person lacks the enzyme to digest milk. Every 3 and 5 Americans have this disorder, and there are no visible symptoms besides your body reacting to the intake of dairy products. You can treat this by taking over-the-counter drugs which will implement an enzyme to break down lactose, but it cannot be cured.
Diverticulitis - Diverticulitis is a disorder where you get bulges throughout your intestinal tract, yet it’s only likely to occur in those over 70, and even that is a chance of 3 out of 5. Signs of this could be cramps, fevers, abdominal swelling, and more. You can treat this through antibiotics, ibuprofen, and other over the counter treatments.
Excretory System - the body system that collects and eliminates waste
Excretion
Excretion is the process of eliminating or expelling waste matter.
Diagram of the Kidneys
Disorders of the Excretory System
Nephritis - Nephritis is the inflammation of the kidneys, and is seen through pain in the kidneys, smelly or bloody urine, and other similar symptoms. This can be treated through antibiotics, and if it is not treated early there may be a need of steroids.
Kidney Stones - Kidney stones are small, solid deposits of calcium, and must travel through the urinary tract causing extreme pain. They can be spotted through fevers, painful urinating, sharp pains in your lower back, vomiting, and more. You can treat this with just consuming liquids to help pass it through, or you may need painkillers if they get large.