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The pancreas makes enzymes that help digest

proteins, fats, and carbs. It also makes a substance that neutralizes
stomach acid. These enzymes and bile travel through special pathways
(called ducts) into the small intestine, where they help to break down
food. The liver also helps process nutrients in the bloodstream.
From the small intestine, undigested food (and some water) travels to
the large intestine through a muscular ring or valve that prevents food
from returning to the small intestine. By the time food reaches the
large intestine, the work of absorbing nutrients is nearly finished.
The large intestine's main job is to remove water from the undigested
matter and form solid waste (poop) to be excreted.
The large intestine has three parts:
The cecum (pronounced: SEE-kum) is the beginning of the large

intestine. The appendix, a small, hollow, finger-like pouch, hangs at the
end of the cecum. Scientists believe the appendix is left over from a
previous time in human evolution. It no longer appears to be useful to
the digestive process.
The colon extends from the cecum up the right side of the abdomen,
across the upper abdomen, and then down the left side of the
abdomen, finally connecting to the rectum.
The colon has three parts: the ascending colon and the transverse
colon, which absorb fluids and salts; and the descending colon, which
holds the resulting waste. Bacteria in the colon help to digest the
remaining food products.
The rectum is where feces are stored until they leave the digestive
system through the anus as a bowel movement.
It takes hours for our bodies to fully digest food.
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: May 2019
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About The colon extends from the cecum up the right side of the
abdomen, across the upper abdomen, and then down the left side of
the abdomen, finally connecting to the rectum.
The colon has three parts: the ascending colon and the transverse
colon, which absorb fluids and salts; and the descending colon, which
holds the resulting waste. Bacteria in the colon help to digest the
remaining food products.
The rectum is where feces are stored until they leave the digestive
system through the anus as a bowel movement he human digestive
system consists of the gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs
of digestion (the tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and
gallbladder). Digestion involves the breakdown of food into smaller and
smaller components, until they can be absorbed and assimilated into
the body. The process of digestion has three stages: the cephalic phase,
the gastric phase, and the intestinal phase.
The first stage, the cephalic phase of digestion, begins with secretions
from gastric glands in response to the sight and smell of food. This
stage includes the mechanical breakdown of food by chewing, and the
chemical breakdown by digestive enzymes, that takes place in the
mouth. Saliva contains the digestive enzymes amylase, and lingual
lipase, secreted by the salivary and serous glands on the tongue.
Chewing, in which the food is mixed with saliva, begins the mechanical
process of digestion. This produces a bolus which is swallowed down
the esophagus to enter the stomach.
The second stage of digestion begins in the stomach with the gastric
phase. Here the food is further broken down by mixing with gastric acid
until it passes into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
The third stage begins in the duodenum with the intestinal phase,
where partially digested food is mixed with a number of enzymes
produced by the pancreas. Digestion is helped by the chewing of food
carried out by the muscles of mastication, the tongue, and the teeth,
and also by the contractions of peristalsis, and segmentation. Gastric
acid, and the production of mucus in the stomach, are essential for the
continuation of digestion.
Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of muscles that begins in the

esophagus and continues along the wall of the stomach and the rest of
the gastrointestinal tract. This initially results in the production of
chyme which when fully broken down in the small intestine is absorbed
as chyle into the lymphatic system. Most of the digestion of food takes
place in the small intestine. Water and some minerals are reabsorbed
back into the blood in the colon of the large intestine. The waste
products of digestion (feces) are defecated from the rectum via the
anus.
Components
Adult digestive system

There are several organs and other components involved in the
digestion of food. The organs known as the accessory digestive organs
are the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Other components include the
mouth, salivary glands, tongue, teeth and epiglottis.
The largest structure of the digestive system is the gastrointestinal tract

(GI tract). This starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, covering a
distance of about nine metres.[1]
A major digestive organ is the stomach. Within its mucosa are millions
of embedded gastric glands. Their secretions are vital to the functioning
of the organ.
Most of the digestion of food takes place in the small intestine which is
the longest part of the GI tract.
The largest part of the GI tract is the colon or large intestine. Water is
absorbed here and the remaining waste matter is stored prior to
defecation.[2]
There are many specialised cells of the GI tract. These include the
various cells of the gastric glands, taste cells, pancreatic duct cells,
enterocytes and microfold cells.
Some parts of the digestive system are also part of the excretory
system, including the large intestine.[2]
Mouth

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until it is needed.

The pancreas makes enzymes that help digest

The large intestine has three parts:

The cecum (pronounced: SEE-kum) is the beginning of the large

It takes hours for our bodies to fully digest food.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD

Date reviewed: May 2019

MORE ON THIS TOPIC FOR:

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of muscles that begins in the

Adult digestive system

The largest structure of the digestive system is the gastrointestinal tract

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