Before understanding the type of diseases that originates in the digestive system it would be better to know about the digestive system. Digestive system is one that includes series of organs that are involved in converting food into nutrients which in turn is absorbed into the body via bloodstream. The same system is also responsible for eliminating the unused food from the body. Human digestive system is medically called as gastrointestinal tract and any problem, diseases or disorder in these organs are to be consulted with gastroenterologist. Digestive system includes mouth or oral cavity, esophagus (long tube that connects throat with stomach), stomach, intestine (small and large intestine) and rectum/anus. The entire digestive system roughly measures 9m in adults.
Where Digestion Begins?
We eat/drink through mouth and digestion actually begins here. It is the saliva that separates starch molecules from the food. Saliva contains salivary amylase an important enzyme that facilitates breaking down of starch. Teeth is a vital organ that helps in chewing the food thus breaking it down into small pieces. The food particles are then sent into the stomach via esophagus. Here the particles get converted into a round mass which is then emptied into the stomach.
How Digestion Take Place?
In the stomach major part of digestion process begins. Several gastric juices are secreted in the stomach to break down food into proteins and other nutrients. The food stays in the stomach for about 1-2 hours which finally leaves the stomach in the form of semi liquid known as chyme which then enters the small intestine. At this point various enzymes secreted from the pancreas and gall bladder come into action in the duodenum. The pyloric sphincter valve opens and closes involuntarily once the chyme gets ready to be emptied into the duodenum.
- Absorption :
Next the particles enter into the small intestine which is the place where the absorption of nutrients into body occurs. The essential nutrients are sent to the liver for further absorption. In the liver nutrients are further separated into sugars and carbohydrates and assumes a new form of protein which can be transported into the blood. Unwanted food particles and toxic chemicals are filtered in the liver and sent into the large intestine.
- Elimination :
The leftover paste then reaches the large intestine where majority of waste particles are stored. Water from the paste is absorbed into the body here and other waste products are stored until it is eliminated in the form of feces through the rectum.