What is the gastrointestinal system?
The
gastrointestinal system is the body systems primarily responsible for food processing, nutrient absorption and elimination of physical waste. It consists of long tubes of similar hollow organs from the mouth, down to the esophagus, stomach and intestines and ending rectum. This system is usually divided into different sections using annular muscles called witnesses. Other organs of the gastrointestinal accessories include teeth, tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, gallbladder and liver.
As soon as the food enters the mouth, the teeth break the food into smaller pieces, and the salivary glands secrete saliva that contain enzymes that help to moisten food and start digestion of carbohydrates. The tongue helps to drive food into the pharynx to swallow down to the esophagus, which is approximately 9.8 inches (about 25 cm). Through the wave movements of the esophagus, also known as peristalsis, food is pushed into the stomach. Between the esophagus and the stomach is the lower esophagus sphincter (forest) that opens to allow food to enter the stomach and sweatIt closes to prevent the return of food.
movements in the stomach allow a mixture of foods with stomach juices and enzymes, turn them into smaller pieces and are made in compliance with semi -deciduously. The stomach usually holds 1500 ml (about 50 ounces) food, but is able to hold about twice the amount. Other stomach functions include food storage, absorption of some food nutrients and killing bacteria by stomach acids. After processing food in the stomach, it passes through the pyloric sphincter, which is located between the stomach and the duodenum. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, followed by Junum and Ileum.
in the small intestines, which has a total LENGTH approximately 19.6 feet long (about 6 meters), food is mixed with abdominal, liver and gallbladder substances for further processing. The main function of the small intestine of the gastrointestinal system is the absorption of nutrients such as vitamins, amino acids andGlucose, food. These nutrients then pass into the bloodstream to make the body used for proper functioning.
Theileocecal valve allows the small intestine material to enter into the large intestine. In the large intestine, which is about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, reabsorption of water and other substances and formation of faecal materials takes place. The presence of bacteria in the large intestines of the gastrointestinal system is important in the processing of some vitamins such as K and B12, inside the body. The faecal materials are then pushed along the length of the large intestine towards the rectum to be excluded from the rectum by the defecation process.