The Structure and Function of the Digestive System Liver

The liver has multiple functions, but its main function within the
Your digestive system is digestive system is to process the nutrients absorbed from the small
uniquely constructed to intestine. Bile from the liver secreted into the small intestine also
perform its specialized plays an important role in digesting fat. In addition, the liver is the
function of turning food into body’s chemical "factory." It takes the raw materials absorbed by the
the energy you need to survive intestine and makes all the various chemicals the body needs to
and packaging the residue for function. The liver also detoxifies potentially harmful chemicals. It
waste disposal. To help you breaks down and secretes many drugs.
understand how the many parts
of the digestive system work Gallbladder
together, here is an overview The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, and then releases it into
of the structure and function of the duodenum to help absorb and digest fats.
this complex system.
Colon (large intestine)
Mouth The colon is a 6-foot long muscular tube that connects the small
The mouth is the beginning of intestine to the rectum. The large intestine is made up of the cecum,
the digestive tract; and, in fact, the ascending (right) colon, the transverse (across) colon, the
digestion starts here when descending (left) colon, and the sigmoid colon, which connects to the
taking the first bite of food. Chewing breaks the food into pieces that rectum. The appendix is a small tube attached to the cecum. The large
are more easily digested, while saliva mixes with food to begin the intestine is a highly specialized organ that is responsible for
process of breaking it down into a form your body can absorb and processing waste so that emptying the bowels is easy and convenient.
use.
Stool, or waste left over from the digestive process, is passed through
Esophagus the colon by means of peristalsis, first in a liquid state and ultimately
Located in your throat near your trachea (windpipe), the esophagus in a solid form. As stool passes through the colon, water is removed.
receives food from your mouth when you swallow. By means of a Stool is stored in the sigmoid (S-shaped) colon until a "mass
series of muscular contractions called peristalsis, the esophagus movement" empties it into the rectum once or twice a day. It
delivers food to your stomach. normally takes about 36 hours for stool to get through the colon. The
stool itself is mostly food debris and bacteria. These bacteria perform
Stomach several useful functions, such as synthesizing various vitamins,
The stomach is a hollow organ, or "container," that holds food while processing waste products and food particles, and protecting against
it is being mixed with enzymes that continue the process of breaking harmful bacteria. When the descending colon becomes full of stool,
down food into a usable form. Cells in the lining of the stomach or feces, it empties its contents into the rectum to begin the process of
secrete a strong acid and powerful enzymes that are responsible for elimination.
the breakdown process. When the contents of the stomach are
sufficiently processed, they are released into the small intestine. Rectum
The rectum (Latin for "straight") is an 8-inch chamber that connects
Small intestine the colon to the anus. It is the rectum's job to receive stool from the
Made up of three segments — the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum — colon, to let the person know that there is stool to be evacuated, and
the small intestine is a 22-foot long muscular tube that breaks down to hold the stool until evacuation happens. When anything (gas or
food using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver. stool) comes into the rectum, sensors send a message to the brain.
Peristalsis also is at work in this organ, moving food through and The brain then decides if the rectal contents can be released or not. If
mixing it with digestive secretions from the pancreas and liver. The they can, the sphincters relax and the rectum contracts, disposing its
duodenum is largely responsible for the continuous breaking-down contents. If the contents cannot be disposed, the sphincter contracts
process, with the jejunum and ileum mainly responsible for and the rectum accommodates so that the sensation temporarily goes
absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. away.

Contents of the small intestine start out semi-solid, and end in a Anus
liquid form after passing through the organ. Water, bile, enzymes, The anus is the last part of the digestive tract. It is a 2-inch long canal
and mucous contribute to the change in consistency. Once the consisting of the pelvic floor muscles and the two anal sphincters
nutrients have been absorbed and the leftover-food residue liquid has (internal and external). The lining of the upper anus is specialized to
passed through the small intestine, it then moves on to the large detect rectal contents. It lets you know whether the contents are
intestine, or colon. liquid, gas, or solid. The anus is surrounded by sphincter muscles that
are important in allowing control of stool. The pelvic floor muscle
creates an angle between the rectum and the anus that stops stool
Pancreas from coming out when it is not supposed to. The internal sphincter is
The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum, the first always tight, except when stool enters the rectum. It keeps us
segment of the small intestine. These enzymes break down protein, continent when we are asleep or otherwise unaware of the presence
fats, and carbohydrates. The pancreas also makes insulin, secreting it of stool. When we get an urge to go to the bathroom, we rely on our
directly into the bloodstream. Insulin is the chief hormone for external sphincter to hold the stool until reaching a toilet, where it
metabolizing sugar. then relaxes to release the contents.