Digestive System

Digestive System * uniquely constructed to perform its specialized function of turning food into the energy you need to survive and packaging the residue for waste disposal. Parts of the digestive system: 1) MOUTH * is the beginning of the digestive tract; * digestion starts here when taking the first bite of food. * Chewing breaks the food into pieces that are more easily digested, while saliva mixes with food to begin the process of breaking it down 2) ESOPHAGUS * Located in your throat near your trachea (windpipe), the esophagus * receives food from your mouth when you swallow. By means of a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis, * esophagus delivers food to your stomach. 3) STOMACH * is a hollow organ, or "container," that holds food while it is being mixed with enzymes that continue the process of breaking down food into a usable form. * secrete a strong acid and powerful enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown process 4) SMALL INTESTINE * Contents of the small intestine start out semi-solid, and end in a liquid form after passing through the organ. * Water, bile, enzymes, and mucous contribute to the change in consistency. * Once the nutrients have been absorbed and the leftover-food residue liquid has passed through the small intestine 5) PANCREAS * secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine. * These enzymes break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates. * makes insulin, secreting it directly into the bloodstream. Insulin is the chief hormone for metabolizing sugar. 6) LIVER * main function is to process the nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. * Bile from the liver secreted into the small intestine also plays an important role in digesting fat. * takes the raw materials absorbed by the intestine and makes all the various chemicals the body needs to function