Digestive system

Digestive System

The Digestive System (pronunciation: /dɪˈdʒɛstɪv ˈsɪstəm/) is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body.

Etymology

The term "digestive" is derived from the Latin word "digestivus", which means 'that which serves to separate or dissolve.' The term "system" comes from the Latin word "systema", meaning 'a whole compounded of several parts or members.'

Function

The Digestive System functions to break down food, extract nutrients needed for energy, growth, and cell repair, and expel the remaining waste.

Components

The Digestive System consists of the following components:

Mouth: The starting point of the digestive process where the mechanical breakdown of food begins.
Esophagus: A muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
Stomach: A muscular organ where the digestion of protein begins.
Small Intestine: The part of the digestive tract where 90% of the digestion and absorption of food occurs.
Large Intestine: The final section of the digestive tract where water is absorbed from the remaining indigestible food matter.
Liver: The largest gland in the body, responsible for processing the nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.
Pancreas: An organ that secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine to complete the chemical digestion of foods.
Gallbladder: A small organ where bile is stored before it is released into the small intestine.

Related Terms

Gastroenterology: The branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders.
Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
Nutrition: The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.