Digestive System

The purpose of the digestive system is to take in food and break it down so your cells can get (nutrients), and those nutrients enter your blood so that the circulatory system can take it to every cell in your body.

Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller particles and molecules that your body can absorb and use.

1) Mouth – Food is shredded by the teeth and mixed with saliva. Saliva breaks down starches into simple sugars and softens and moistens the food. The tongue pushes the food, now called bolis, down the esophagus.

2) Esophagus – The muscles in the esophagus push the bolis down into the stomach while its walls, lined with mucus, makes it easier for the food to slide down.

3) Stomach – There is a strong acid called Hydrochloric acid  that dissolves the food.The digestive juices (enzymes and acid) that break protein causing it to now turn into a mush called the bolis. (chyme).  

4) Small Intestine – Most of digestion occurs here. Also reabsorption of the broken down macronutrients get reabsorbed in the blood. Nutrients passes into the bloodstream through the villi, which line the small intestine walls, and are transported throughout the body.

5) Large Intestine – Materials that cannot be absorbed pass into the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs water and stores waste until it can be eliminated from the body.