Organ of the Digestive System

Organ of the digestive system and function

• Mouth-Breaks up food particle

• Pharynx-Swallows

• Liver-Breaks down and build up many molecules. Store vitamin, iron and destroy old bleed cells

• Gallbladder-Store bile

• Salivary Glands-Moistens and lubricates food

• Esophagus-Transports food

• Stomach- store and churn food

• Pancreas-Regulates blood glucose level and neutralize stomach acid

• Large intestine- reabsorbs water, iron, vitamins and store waste

• Appendix- contains cell of the immune system

• Anus- opening for waste elimination

• Rectum-expels waste

• Small intestine- complete digestion and absorption of food

General Functional Features: The main functions of the digestive tract are the absorption of nutrients and water and the excretion of wastes and toxins. Between eating and pooping there are many things that take place. The food you eat goes from your mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and finally to the large intestine.

Chewing your food in order for it to be swallowed (deglutition). Saliva dissolves water-soluble particles and contains enzymes that attack carbohydrates Taste buds check for contaminants toxins, and nutrients. The tongue moves chewed food back into the oral pharynx (throat) and closes the epiglottis (prevents food from getting to your lung). The esophagus adds mucus to reduce friction, but mainly moves material to the stomach. The lining epithelial cells (enterocytes) of the small intestine have additional enzymes on their luminal surfaces to complete the hydrolysis of certain nutrients.

This primary function of the digestive tract occurs mainly in the intestines: the small intestines absorb nutrients, and the large intestines absorb water. Smooth muscles in the walls of the small intestine move undigested material and waste products to the large intestine (colon). This solidifies the intestinal contents, forming feces (poop). This material is further dehydrated and...