Digestive System
By: Shelbie Rhodes and Sydney Archibald
What is the function of the Digestive System?
What are the functions of the organs in the Digestive System?
Esophagus - This is located in your throat near the windpipe. The esophagus receives food from the mouth after you swallow. The esophagus delivers the chewed up food down to the stomach.
Stomach - The stomach is a container that holds the food while it is being mixed with enzymes that continue the process of breaking down food into a usable form. Cells in the lining of the stomach secrete a strong acid and strong enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown process.
Small Intestine - The small intestine is made up into 3 segments, the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. This intestine is 22 feet long and is a muscular tube that breaks down food using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver. The duodenum is highly responsible for the constant breaking-down process, The jejunum and ileum are mainly responisble for absorbtion of nutrients into the bloodstream.
Pancreas - This secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. These enzymes break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates. This also makes insulin, secreting it directly into the bloodstream.
Liver - The main function of the liver is to process the nutrients that were absorbed. It aslso detoxifies potentially harmful chemicals.
Gallbladder - This just stores and concentrates bile, and then releases the bile into the duodenum to help absorb and digest fats.
Large Intestine - The large intestine is 6 feet long and it is a muscluar tube that connects the small intestine to the rectum. This is a super specialized organ that is responsible for processing waste so that emptying the bowels is easy and convenient.
Rectum - This is an 8-inch chamber that connects the large intestine to the anus. The rectum receives stool from the lerge intestine to let the person know that there is stool to be evacuated, and to carry the stool until evacuation happens.
Anus - The anus is the last part of the digestive system. It is a 2-inch long canal consisting of the pelvic floor muscles and the two anal sphincters. This is responsible for letting us know if our stool is liqiod, gas, or solid. It also releases the stool from the body.