Organs of the Digestive System
The structure of the digestive system is very complex and interconnects with the other systems in the body in order to function effectively. The digestive system is comprised of many organs that have different tasks. However, they all work together in order to transform food into nutrients and energy. So how does this process work?!?!
LETS TAKE A RIDE ON
THE MAGIC FOOD BUS!
LETS TAKE A RIDE ON
THE MAGIC FOOD BUS!
Welcome to The Digestive System Line. Please Sit Back and Enjoy!
Stop 1: The Mouth
The journey through the digestive system begins in the mouth, and in fact, starts before you even eat. The smell of the food prompts the salivary glands to secrete saliva, which will increase as you take each bite. The saliva will help begin the process of digestion by breaking down the food and transforming it into something your body can use. By chewing the food into smaller bits, it will help increase the efficiency of digestion later on in your stomach. So remember to carefully chew and don't rush your food!
Stop 2: The Pharynx and Esophagus
The pharynx (or throat) is part of the digestive system that receives chewed up food from your mouth. As the food travels further down, it will arrive at the esophagus, which carries the food to the stomach. The food is pushed through the esophagus by a series of muscles contracting in synchronization. These motions are called peristaltic movements and are involuntary done in order to move and mix food along the tube. As the food arrives near the stomach, a sphincter opens to let food in and closes to keep it there. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter.
Stop 3: The Stomach
The stomach is a sac-like organ surrounded by muscle walls. It serves as a mixer and blender for food, while producing acids and enzymes that change the food into a thick liquid called chyme. This allows the smaller intestines to absorb the nutrients.
Stop 4: The Small Intestines
After the food has been liquefied, it moves into the small intestines. The small intestines are made up of three sections (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). Inside the small intestines, the food is further broken down by enzymes in the pancreas and bile in the liver. This section of work is largely done by the duodenum. Through peristaltic movements, the food is moved into jejunum and ileum, which are responsible for the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. The waste and non-liquefiable remains are moved into the large intestine/colon.
Stop 4: The Colon
The colon (aka large intestine) is a five to seven foot long tube that is layered in muscle. It is made up of five sections being the cecum, the ascending, the transverse, the descending, and the sigmoid. The colon connects the small intestines to the rectum in order to eliminate waste and bacteria. The main function of the colon is to absorb water and sodium from the fecal matter and remove the remaining waste. In fact, about 1.5 liters of water arrives through the large intestine each day. It normally takes 36 hours for waste to pass through the colon.
Stop 5: The Rectum
The next stop is the rectum, which is an eight-inch chamber that connects the colon to the anus. The rectum has three main functions being receiving waste from the colon, alerting the person to eliminate the waste, and holding the waste until evacuation happens. When either waste or gas comes into the rectum, it will send a signal to the brain, which then decides whether it is time to release the contents or not. If it is not time, the sphincters will contract and the rectum will wait awhile before sending another signal. If it is time, then the muscles will relax and the rectum will expel the contents.
Stop 6: The Anus
The last station in the digestive system line is the anus and it consist of muscles in the pelvis region (pelvic floor muscles) and two anal sphincters (internal and external). The pelvic floor muscles controls the waste and is the first line of defense. Next is the internal sphincter, which is always tight in order to keep the waste in when we are not ready. The last line of defense is the external sphincter. When we have to go to the bathroom, we depend on this sphincter to keep the waste in until we get to the toilet.
Smaller Stops (Accessory Organs):
Pancreas - The main producer of digestive enzymes that are secreted in the duodenum. These enzymes break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
Liver - It has two main functions: make and secrete bile in the small intestines and purifying the blood containing the nutrients before the blood travels across the body.
Gallbladder - The gallbladder is a storage sac for excessive bile. If the intestines do not need the bile, the bile goes into the gallbladder, where it awaits the signal for more food.
The journey through the digestive system begins in the mouth, and in fact, starts before you even eat. The smell of the food prompts the salivary glands to secrete saliva, which will increase as you take each bite. The saliva will help begin the process of digestion by breaking down the food and transforming it into something your body can use. By chewing the food into smaller bits, it will help increase the efficiency of digestion later on in your stomach. So remember to carefully chew and don't rush your food!
Stop 2: The Pharynx and Esophagus
The pharynx (or throat) is part of the digestive system that receives chewed up food from your mouth. As the food travels further down, it will arrive at the esophagus, which carries the food to the stomach. The food is pushed through the esophagus by a series of muscles contracting in synchronization. These motions are called peristaltic movements and are involuntary done in order to move and mix food along the tube. As the food arrives near the stomach, a sphincter opens to let food in and closes to keep it there. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter.
Stop 3: The Stomach
The stomach is a sac-like organ surrounded by muscle walls. It serves as a mixer and blender for food, while producing acids and enzymes that change the food into a thick liquid called chyme. This allows the smaller intestines to absorb the nutrients.
Stop 4: The Small Intestines
After the food has been liquefied, it moves into the small intestines. The small intestines are made up of three sections (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). Inside the small intestines, the food is further broken down by enzymes in the pancreas and bile in the liver. This section of work is largely done by the duodenum. Through peristaltic movements, the food is moved into jejunum and ileum, which are responsible for the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. The waste and non-liquefiable remains are moved into the large intestine/colon.
Stop 4: The Colon
The colon (aka large intestine) is a five to seven foot long tube that is layered in muscle. It is made up of five sections being the cecum, the ascending, the transverse, the descending, and the sigmoid. The colon connects the small intestines to the rectum in order to eliminate waste and bacteria. The main function of the colon is to absorb water and sodium from the fecal matter and remove the remaining waste. In fact, about 1.5 liters of water arrives through the large intestine each day. It normally takes 36 hours for waste to pass through the colon.
Stop 5: The Rectum
The next stop is the rectum, which is an eight-inch chamber that connects the colon to the anus. The rectum has three main functions being receiving waste from the colon, alerting the person to eliminate the waste, and holding the waste until evacuation happens. When either waste or gas comes into the rectum, it will send a signal to the brain, which then decides whether it is time to release the contents or not. If it is not time, the sphincters will contract and the rectum will wait awhile before sending another signal. If it is time, then the muscles will relax and the rectum will expel the contents.
Stop 6: The Anus
The last station in the digestive system line is the anus and it consist of muscles in the pelvis region (pelvic floor muscles) and two anal sphincters (internal and external). The pelvic floor muscles controls the waste and is the first line of defense. Next is the internal sphincter, which is always tight in order to keep the waste in when we are not ready. The last line of defense is the external sphincter. When we have to go to the bathroom, we depend on this sphincter to keep the waste in until we get to the toilet.
Smaller Stops (Accessory Organs):
Pancreas - The main producer of digestive enzymes that are secreted in the duodenum. These enzymes break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
Liver - It has two main functions: make and secrete bile in the small intestines and purifying the blood containing the nutrients before the blood travels across the body.
Gallbladder - The gallbladder is a storage sac for excessive bile. If the intestines do not need the bile, the bile goes into the gallbladder, where it awaits the signal for more food.
Thank You For Riding The Magic Food Bus! Hope To See You Soon!
Inspired By The Magic School Bus
Magic School Bus Episode 02: For Lunch