Digestive System Parts and Functions

Ever wondered how the human digestive system works? The digestive system is a series of organs
that convert food into nutrients that can be used up by the body. The organs also play a critical role
in the removal of unused material from the body. The digestive system, also known as the
gastrointestinal tract, is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
rectum and the anus. Read on to find out more about the digestive system parts and functions.

Digestive System Parts and Functions

Mouth

This is where the process of digestion begins. The smell of food itself triggers the secretion of saliva
by the salivary glands in the mouth. Saliva contains the salivary amylase enzyme which helps in the
breakdown of starch. In the mouth lies the tongue, which is vital for mixing and tasting food. Teeth
help in the grinding of food.

Pharynx (Throat)

The throat or pharynx is a funnel shaped tube that is connected to the mouth. It is charged with
passing chewed food into the esophagus from the mouth. It features an epiglottis which is used as a
switch to control entry of air and food into the larynx and esophagus respectively.

Esophagus

After you have swallowed your food, it passes through the throat and into the esophagus. Here, food
is passed through the hypo-pharynx and the oropharynx. Through a process called peristalsis, food
is converted into a small round mass and transported into the stomach. At the end of the esophagus,
there is a muscular ring called the cardiac sphincter. It is responsible for closing the end of the
esophagus in order to trap food in the stomach.

Stomach

In the stomach, food is coated with a mixture of digestive enzymes and acid. This helps break down
food. The stomach walls are protected from the acid released into the stomach by a thick coat of
mucous. After food has been broken down in the stomach, it is then passed on to the small intestine.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is divided into 3 parts: the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The walls of the
small intestine have finger-like projections called villi. They facilitate the absorption of nutrients into
the bloodstream.

Accessory Organs

In the duodenum (the first part of the small intestines), carbohydrates, protein and fats are broken
down with the help of enzymes from the pancreas. Bile juice is released from the gall bladder to
further break down fats into a form that the body can use.

Large Intestine (Colon)

After the small intestine, we have the large intestine which is charged with absorbing water and
breaking down waste. It contains bacteria that help with the breakdown of waste that is passed on
from the small intestine. Once the remaining nutrients are extracted, it becomes feces that are
excreted through the anal canal.

Rectum and Anus

The rectum receives stool from the large intestine. When this happens, your body lets you know that
you need to pass stool. It is the rectums job to hold the stool until it is evacuated. The stool is
passed on from the rectum to the anus for ejection. The anus is surrounded by sphincter muscles
that allow you to control the anus function.