— The digestive system is also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) system.
— Your digestive system breaks nutrients into parts small enough for your body to absorb and use for energy, growth, and cell repair.
PARTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM :
PARTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM :
1. Salivary glands
— It has a cleansing action on the teeth.
— It moistens and lubricates food during mastication and swallowing.
— It dissolves certain molecules so that food can be tasted.
— It begins the chemical digestion of starches through the action of amylase, which breaks down polysaccharides into disaccharides.
2. Pharynx
— It carries air, food and fluid down from the nose and mouth.
3. Esophagus
— It is a tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach.
4. Stomach
— It digests food.
— It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices) that can break down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
5. Small Intestine
— It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach.
— It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
6. Large Intestine
— It absorbs water and changes the waste from liquid into stool.
7. Rectum
— It stores stool until it pushes stool out of your anus during a bowel movement.
