"The human digestive system consists of the gastrointestinal tract plus the accessory organs of digestion (the tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder)."
An introduction to the organs and processes involved in digestion, including the digestive tract, accessory organs, and the physiology of digestion.
Basic anatomy and location of the digestive system: Understanding the location and basic structure of the digestive system.
Types of digestive systems: Understanding the similarities and differences between monogastric, ruminant, and avian digestive systems.
The mouth and oral cavity: Understanding the function and anatomy of the mouth and oral cavity in the digestive process.
The esophagus: Understanding the function and anatomy of the esophagus.
The stomach: Understanding the function and anatomy of the stomach and its role in digestion.
The small intestine: Understanding the function and anatomy of the small intestine and its role in nutrient absorption.
The large intestine: Understanding the function and anatomy of the large intestine and its role in waste elimination.
Accessory organs of digestion: Understanding the function and anatomy of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas in the digestive process.
Enzymes and their functions: Understanding the role of enzymes in breaking down food and aiding in digestion.
Regulation of digestion: Understanding the role and interplay of hormones and neural signals in regulating digestion.
Disorders of the digestive system: Understanding the common disorders of the digestive system like gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer.
Nutrition and absorption: Understanding the relationship between nutrients and how various nutrients are absorbed in our digestive system.
Life cycle of food digestion: Understanding the process of food digestion from start to finish.
Comparative Digestion: Understanding the differences in digestive systems in different animal species.
Digestive System Diseases: Understanding the major diseases affecting the digestive system including the symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Surface Anatomy: This refers to the external structure of the digestive system and the various organs that make it up.
Microscopic Anatomy: This type of overview focuses on the minute details of the tissue and cellular components of the digestive system, such as the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa.
Embryonic Anatomy: This overview examines the development of the digestive system from conception to birth, including the formation of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Comparative Anatomy: This type of overview compares the digestive systems of various organisms, such as mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects, to identify the similarities and differences in structure and function.
Clinical Anatomy: This type of overview examines the digestive system as it pertains to medical diagnosis and treatment, such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, and surgery.
Functional Anatomy: This type of overview focuses on the role and function of each organ in the digestive system, including digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.
Pathological Anatomy: This type of overview examines the changes in the structure and function of the digestive system that occur as a result of disease, infection, or injury.
Radiological Anatomy: This overview uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans to visualize the digestive system and its organs.
Molecular Anatomy: This type of overview examines the molecular and genetic components of the digestive system, including the role of enzymes and hormones in digestion and metabolism.
Histological Anatomy: This type of overview focuses on the study of the microscopic structure and organization of the digestive system tissues and organs.
"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, the gastric phase, happens in the stomach. 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, the intestinal phase, begins in the duodenum. Here the 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."
"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."