The Digestive System is mostly located in the abdomen area of the human body. This system extends from the mouth to the anus, and is about 30 ft. long.
What is the role if this system?
The Digestive System's function is to break down the food we eat into nutrients and minerals that our bodies can absorb.
Protiens in our foods are broken down into amino acids, starches are made into simple sugars, and fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol.
Water in our food and drink is also absorbed into the bloodstream to provide the body with the fluid it needs.
What organs make up this system and what are their functions?
The Mouth: Digestion starts in the mouth. Your teeth grind up the food and mix it up with saliva to form a ball of mushed up food called a bolus. During the mixing, an enzyme called amylase starts beraking down carboyhydrates (sugars and starches). Once the food is soft enough, the tongue pushes it to the back of the mouth and is swallowed. The bolus moves into the throat, or pharynx. The pharynx is a passgeway for food and air and id about 5 inches long. A flexible flap of tissue called the epiglottis reflexively closes over the windpipe when we swallow to prevent choking.
The Esophagus: When the ball of food, or bolus, is swallowed, it then travels down a tube called the esophagus. The esophagus is a flattened, musuclar tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. As food is swallowed, the esophagus expands as needed. It takes about one to eight seconds for food to pass through this tube, depending on the softness of the food. At the end of the esophagus, a muscular ring called a sphincter allows food to enter the stomach and then squeezes shut to keep food or fluid from flowing back up into the esophagus.
The Stomach: The esophagus carries the ball of food to the stomach, a J-shaped muscular pouch. Inside the stomach, the muscles churn and mix the food with acids and enzymes, breaking it down into much smaller, easier to digest pieces. An acidic environment is needed for the digestion that takes place in the stomach. Glands in the stomach lining produce about 3 quarts of these digestive juices each day. When an adult's stomach is empty, it has a volume of one fifth of a cup, but it can expand to hold more than 8 cups of food after a large meal. By the time food is ready to leave the stomach, it has been made into a thick liquid called chyme. A walnut-sized muscular tube at the end of the stomach called the pylorus, keeps chyme in the stomach until it reaches the right consistency to pass into the small intestine. Chyme is then squirted down into the small intestine, where digestion of food continues so the body can absorb the nutrients into the bloodstream.
The Small Intestine: The small intestine is made up of three parts: the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The duodenum is the C-shaped first part, the jejunum is the coiled midsection, and the ileum is the last part that leads to the large intestine. The small intestine is about 24 feet long and the inner wall is covered with millions of villi. Villi are microscopic hairs where nutrients can be absorbed into the body. Absorption is an important part of the digestive system that brings the molecules from the digested food into the blood and the cells.
The Large Intestine: From the small intestine, food that has not been digested (and some water) travels to the large intestine through a valve that prevents food from returning to the small intestine. The large intestine's main function is to remove water from the undigested food and form solid waste that can exit the body. The large intestine is made up of three parts: the cecum, colon, and rectum. The cecum is a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine that joins the small intestine to the large intestine. The colon absorbs water and salts and holds the resulting waste. Bacteria in the colon help to digest the remaining food products. The rectum is where feces are stored until they leave the digestive system through the anus as a bowel movement.
The Pancreas: Although perhaps best known as an organ of the endocrine system (because it secretes insulin which is required to regulate blood sugar levels), the pancreas is a necessary organ of digestion. It assists the small intestine by secreting pancreatic juice, a liquid with enzymes and sodium bicarbonate that is able to stop the digestion process of pepsin.
The Liver:The liver produces bile, which the small intestine uses to help digest the fats in food. However, bile production is one of only many essential functions performed by the liver. It also metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates and fats; helps regulate blood sugar levels; stores glycogen for quick energy; makes fibrinogen which clots blood; makes vitamin A; and recycles worn out red blood cells to name a few.
The Gallbladder:Tucked under the liver, the gallbladder is a storage container for bile, a yellow-green fluid that's made up of salts, cholesterol and lecithin. The small intestine uses bile to digest fats.
How to keep the digestive system healthy
Eating slowly and properly is a good solution for improving digestion. Avoid oily and stuffed food to help digestion. Over and above refined grain is not always good for health. Eating lot of green and leafy vegetables help improve metabolism. Include fiber rich foods in your daily diet which helps detoxifying the body. Include some garlic and onions in diet to improve digestion and reducing extra oil. Drinking a lot of water helps improve digestion. Avoid drinking cold water after meals. In addition to these start increasing the metabolic rate by increasing physical activities.
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What can go wrong with the digestive system?
The Mouth: Swallowing foods that have been chewed very little can result in less nutrition from the food, difficult passage of the food through the esophagus, and possible choking. Eating quickly and "swallowing air" can result in gas and indigestion. The solution is simple: Chew your food well and eat slowly.
The Esophagus: Heartburn results when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This commonly results in a "burning" sensation in the chest, belching, or a sour taste in the mouth. To relieve heartburn, eat healthy foods such as fruits, and vegetables and avoid alcohol, coffee, and high-fat, fried, and spicy foods. If you experience heartburn in the middle of night, try to eat at least four hours before going to bed. Raising the head of your bed some six inches may also help. Drink cabbage juice or ginger tea.
The Stomach: Ulcers occur when gastric juice burns a hole in the lining of your stomach. Hypochlorhydria, or low stomach acid, may be prevalent among half the population over 60. Low levels of stomach acid can result in less than optimal absorption of nutrients, overgrowth of bacteria, and a greater likelihood of food poisoning. For ulcers, many health practitioners recommend antibiotics and natural therapies. These include using antiparasitic herbs, aloe vera, cabbage juice, and vitamin A. For hypochlorhydria, consider using digestive enzymes to aid with digestion, taking supplements to make up nutrient deficiencies resulting from the condition, chewing food thoroughly, eating frequent and small meals, and avoiding drinking liquids with meals.
The Small Intestines, Pancreas, and Liver: Flatulence and gas, although normal, can be excessive and embarrassing. Unknown to many, most gas comes from air - either air we "swallow" while eating, or foods that contain air, such as whipped foods and carbonated drinks. Gas is also caused by food that is not fully digested. The bacteria in the intestine devour this food, and the by-product is gas. Because fiber is not digested, gas can result. People who suddenly begin a high-fiber diet often find themselves with gas problems. The key is to start slowly and chew food well. Some health practitioners recommend taking digestive enzymes and probiotics. Probiotics are either the "friendly bacteria" found in the digestive system, or the food for them. An increasing problem is parasites. These are often carried into our bodies through food and drink. They make a home in the intestines and contribute to a number of health problems. Constant diarrhea, constipation, gas, fatigue, weight loss, teeth grinding can signal that you have parasites. If you feel you have parasites, you should be tested by a health practitioner. Certain foods are known antiparasitics. These include garlic and pumpkin seeks. there are a number of herbs that fight parasites as well. These include wormseed, sweet annie, and black walnut.
The Large Intestine: Constipation - difficult bowel movements - can result in straining that in turn can result in hiatal hernia. Although North americans spends millions of dollars on constipation, it can easily be helped by eating foods high in fiber, taking fiber supplements, and drinking plenty of liquids. for stubborn cases, natural laxatives such as cascara sagrada may be used. Yogurt contains "friendly bacteria," and this also may be helpful. Diarrhea results when food travels too quickly through the colon. Water is not well-absorbed and the result is a runny stool. it can be dangerous, especially to children, because it leads to the malabsorption of nutrients and loss of fluids. Indeed, cholera kills not so much because of the disease, but because of the diarrhea that comes with it. Diarrhea is not a disease, but the symptom of something else. It can be due to drugs, diverticular disease, foods, parasites, and many other conditions. What to do depends on the type of diarrhea. It may be a short-term effect due to eating something your body considers toxic, or long-term due to parasite infestations. consult a health practitioner if diarrhea is prolonged. Hemorrhoids occur when blood vessels in and around the anus swell and stretch under pressure. They are prevalent among people over the age of 50. The most frequent cause of hemorrhoids is constipation. They can also occur due to pregnancy and diarrhea. The best thing you can do to prevent hemorrhoids is prevent constipation - consume plenty of fiber and liquids.
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Could a person survive without this body system?
No, a human being could not live without this body system. Without the digestive system, the body wouldn't be able to get the right nutrients it needs to function.
Where is this system located?
What organs make up this system and what are their functions?
How to keep the digestive system healthy
- Eating slowly and properly is a good solution for improving digestion. Avoid oily and stuffed food to help digestion. Over and above refined grain is not always good for health. Eating lot of green and leafy vegetables help improve metabolism. Include fiber rich foods in your daily diet which helps detoxifying the body. Include some garlic and onions in diet to improve digestion and reducing extra oil. Drinking a lot of water helps improve digestion. Avoid drinking cold water after meals. In addition to these start increasing the metabolic rate by increasing physical activities.
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What can go wrong with the digestive system?- The Large Intestine: Constipation - difficult bowel movements - can result in straining that in turn can result in hiatal hernia. Although North americans spends millions of dollars on constipation, it can easily be helped by eating foods high in fiber, taking fiber supplements, and drinking plenty of liquids. for stubborn cases, natural laxatives such as cascara sagrada may be used. Yogurt contains "friendly bacteria," and this also may be helpful. Diarrhea results when food travels too quickly through the colon. Water is not well-absorbed and the result is a runny stool. it can be dangerous, especially to children, because it leads to the malabsorption of nutrients and loss of fluids. Indeed, cholera kills not so much because of the disease, but because of the diarrhea that comes with it. Diarrhea is not a disease, but the symptom of something else. It can be due to drugs, diverticular disease, foods, parasites, and many other conditions. What to do depends on the type of diarrhea. It may be a short-term effect due to eating something your body considers toxic, or long-term due to parasite infestations. consult a health practitioner if diarrhea is prolonged. Hemorrhoids occur when blood vessels in and around the anus swell and stretch under pressure. They are prevalent among people over the age of 50. The most frequent cause of hemorrhoids is constipation. They can also occur due to pregnancy and diarrhea. The best thing you can do to prevent hemorrhoids is prevent constipation - consume plenty of fiber and liquids.
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Could a person survive without this body system?
Works Cited
__http://library.thinkquest.org/2935/Natures_Best/Nat_Best_High_Level/Digestive_Net_Pages/Digestive_page.html__
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/digestive-system/an00896http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/body_basics/digestive_system.html#
http://hepatitis.about.com/od/overview/ig/Organs-of-Digestive-System/Mouth-Anatomy.htm
http://www.empowher.com/files/ebsco/images/exh5601.jpg
http://onhealthyliving.com/archives/2009/03/14/how-to-keep-your-digestive-system-healthy
http://hubpages.com/hub/Digestive-System---How-Can-I-Keep-It-Healthy
http://www.aim4health.com/digestion.htm