Digestive System: Function, Structure, and Care

Digestive System

Function

The digestive system is responsible for processing food, absorbing molecules, and eliminating waste.

Types of Digestion

There are two main types of digestion: mechanical and chemical.

System Interactions

The digestive system interacts with the nervous, endocrine, and circulatory systems.

Functional Structure

1. Mouth: Digestion begins in the mouth.
2. Esophagus: Food travels down the esophagus.
3. Stomach: Gastric digestion occurs in the stomach.
4. Small Intestine: Intestinal digestion and absorption take place.
5. Large Intestine: Final absorption and waste processing.

Excretory System Structure

The excretory system plays a crucial role in waste removal.

• Cecum: Follows the ileocecal valve.
• Colon: Divided into ascending, transverse, and descending sections.
• Rectum: Opens to the outside through the anal sphincter.

Key Organs and Their Functions

• Salivary Glands: Produce saliva, which moistens food for chewing and swallowing.
• Liver: Synthesizes plasma proteins, detoxifies, stores vitamins and glycogen.
• Stomach: Turns the bolus into chyme.
• Pancreas: Produces hormones (insulin, glucagon, somatostatin) and pancreatic juice for digestion.
• Small Intestine: Converts chyme into chyle and absorbs nutrients.
• Large Intestine: Absorbs water and nutrients, stores stool.
• Sphincters: Control the passage of substances between organs.

Digestive System Care

1. Wash hands before eating.
2. Avoid overeating or excessive drinking.
3. Limit strenuous physical or mental activity after meals.
4. Maintain good oral hygiene (teeth and tongue).
5. Avoid extremely hot, cold, or irritating foods.
6. Eat at designated meal times.
7. Ensure daily bowel movements and prevent constipation with a high-fiber diet and adequate water intake (two liters daily).

Fiber and Digestive Health

Fiber facilitates stool disposal and prevents constipation.

Digestive Disorders

• Anorexia: Severely restricted food intake.
• Bulimia: Episodes of uncontrollable overeating.
• Ulcers and Cancer: Can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, spicy foods, and bacterial/viral infections.