Mouth
Function:
Your mouth allows air and nutrients to enter your body, and it also helps you speak. It’s also called the oral cavity. The first digestion happens in the mouth.
Location:
The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and containing the teeth, gums, and tongue.
Gallbladder
Function:
To store bile, a thick, yellow-brown enzyme produced by your liver that helps you digest fats.
Location:
A pear-shaped organ located below the liver that stores the bile secreted by the liver.
Esophagus
Function:
Esophagus is relatively straight muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. The esophagus can contract or expand to allow for the passage of food.
Location:
Anatomically, it lies behind the trachea and heart and in front of the spinal column.
Muscularis
Function:
ā¢ The muscularis externa aids in the propulsion and peristalsis.
ā¢ It also helps in digestion by mixing the ingested food with the digestive juices such as succus entericus.
ā¢ The peristaltic movements of the muscularis externa in the esophagus help in the translocation of food from the mouth into the fundus of the stomach.
ā¢ It aids in passing out of the bodily wastes such as fecal matter and urine.
Location:
The lamina muscularis mucosae (or muscularis mucosae) is a thin layer ( lamina) of muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, located outside the lamina propria, and separating it from the submucosa.
Appendix
Function:
One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The cecum is a pouch-like structure of the large intestine, located at the junction of the small and the large intestines.
Small Intestine
Function:
A long, hollow, narrow and folded tube, the small intestine is the principle organ of the digestive system. It is the site for most digestion and absorption of food you eat. Apart from digestion and absorption, it performs several other tasks as well.
Location:
It extends from the stomach (pylorus) to the large intestine (cecum) and consists of three parts: duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
Stomach
Function:
ā¢ Food storage
ā¢ Acidic breakdown of swallowed food
ā¢ Sends mixture on to the next phase in the small intestine
Location:
Stomach, saclike expansion of the digestive system, between the esophagus and the small intestine; it is located in the anterior portion of the abdominal cavity in most vertebrates.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for absorption of water from the indigestible residue of food.
ā¢ . Formation and elimination of feces
ā¢ 2. Absorption of vitamins
ā¢ 3. Absorption of water and electrolytes
ā¢ 4. Antibody production
ā¢ 5. Acid reduction
Location:
The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing water and vitamins while converting digested food into feces.
Liver
Function:
It has many functions in the:
ā¢ Bile production ā This is a fluid that helps to emulsify (break up into smaller droplets that can be more easily digested) lipids and fats in the duodenum. The bile, before being released, is temporarily stored in the gall bladder
ā¢ Blood sugar regulation ā The liver is very important for keeping blood sugar level constant. It converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage by the action of the hormone insulin. It releases the stored glycogen as glucose by the action of the glucagon hormone when glucose blood levels get low
ā¢ Digestion and metabolism ā It breaks down carbohydrate, protein and fats so they can be digested
ā¢ Neutralising toxins ā Such as alcohol and other drugs which are harmful for the body
ā¢ Storage of nutrients ā including vitamins and iron
ā¢ Fighting infections ā It helps to remove harmful bacteria from the blood that cause disease
Location:
The liver is reddish-brown and shaped approximately like a cone or a wedge, with the small end above the spleen and stomach and the large end above the small intestine.
Smooth Muscle
Function and Location:
Smooth musculature is found in (almost) all organ system such as hollow organs (e.g. stomach, bladder), in tubular structures (e.g. vessels, bile ducts), in sphincters, in the uterus, in the eye etc. In addition it plays an important role in the ducts of exocrine glands. It fulfills various tasks such as sealing orifices (e.g. pylorus, uterine os) or the transport of the chyme through wavelike contractions of the intestinal tube. On the one hand smooth muscle cells contract slower than skeletal muscle cells, on the other hand they are stronger, more sustained and require less energy.
Mouth
Function:
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.
Location:
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts before you even take a bite. It is located at the upper part of the body.
Gallbladder
Function:
Its main function is to store bile. Bile helps your digestive system break down fats. Bile is a mixture of mainly cholesterol, bilirubin and bile salts.
Location:
Your gallbladder is located in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). It sits just under your liver.
Esophagus
Function:
The primary function of your esophagus is to carry food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. When you swallow, food and liquid first move from your mouth to your throat (pharynx).
Location:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The esophagus contracts as it moves food into the stomach. A āvalveā called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located just before the opening to the stomach.
Muscularis
Function:
The muscularis externa is responsible for segmental contractions and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. These muscles cause food to move and churn together with digestive enzymes down the GI tract. The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer.
Functionally, the muscularis mucosae is not well studied. Presumably it functions to promote local stirring at the mucosal surface, to improve secretion and the absorption of nutrients. The submucosa is a connective tissue layer deep to and supporting the mucosa.
Location:
The muscularis mucosa is made up of smooth muscle, and is most prominent in the stomach. Within the muscularis externa, the circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward, while the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.
Appendix
Function:
The function of the appendix is unknown. One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
Small Intestine
Function:
It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
Location:
The small intestine is coiled inside the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, framing the edges of the abdominal cavity.
Stomach
Function:
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
Location:
Your stomach sits in your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The bottom of your stomach connects to your small intestine.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine stores the wastes (the food remains), then ejects them outside the body through the anus. The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing the water and the vitamins, and it converts the digested food into feces.
Location:
The large intestine is in your lower abdominal cavity from your waist down. It surrounds the small intestine in a sort of a square question mark shape, with the tail of the question mark ending at the anal canal.
Liver
Function:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
Location:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
Smooth Muscle
Function:
The main function of smooth muscle of the GI tract is to mix and propel intraluminal contents to enable efficient digestion of food, progressive absorption of nutrients, and evacuation of residues.
Location:
Smooth muscle is found throughout the body where it serves a variety of functions. It is in the stomach and intestines where it helps with digestion and nutrient collection.
Mouth
Function:
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.
Location:
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts before you even take a bite. It is located at the upper part of the body.
Gallbladder
Function:
Its main function is to store bile. Bile helps your digestive system break down fats. Bile is a mixture of mainly cholesterol, bilirubin and bile salts.
Location:
Your gallbladder is located in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). It sits just under your liver.
Esophagus
Function:
The primary function of your esophagus is to carry food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. When you swallow, food and liquid first move from your mouth to your throat (pharynx).
Location:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The esophagus contracts as it moves food into the stomach. A āvalveā called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located just before the opening to the stomach.
Muscularis
Function:
The muscularis externa is responsible for segmental contractions and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. These muscles cause food to move and churn together with digestive enzymes down the GI tract. The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer.
Functionally, the muscularis mucosae is not well studied. Presumably it functions to promote local stirring at the mucosal surface, to improve secretion and the absorption of nutrients. The submucosa is a connective tissue layer deep to and supporting the mucosa.
Location:
The muscularis mucosa is made up of smooth muscle, and is most prominent in the stomach. Within the muscularis externa, the circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward, while the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.
Appendix
Function:
The function of the appendix is unknown. One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
Small Intestine
Function:
It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
Location:
The small intestine is coiled inside the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, framing the edges of the abdominal cavity.
Stomach
Function:
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
Location:
Your stomach sits in your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The bottom of your stomach connects to your small intestine.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine stores the wastes (the food remains), then ejects them outside the body through the anus. The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing the water and the vitamins, and it converts the digested food into feces.
Location:
The large intestine is in your lower abdominal cavity from your waist down. It surrounds the small intestine in a sort of a square question mark shape, with the tail of the question mark ending at the anal canal.
Liver
Function:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
Location:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
Smooth Muscle
Function:
The main function of smooth muscle of the GI tract is to mix and propel intraluminal contents to enable efficient digestion of food, progressive absorption of nutrients, and evacuation of residues.
Location:
Smooth muscle is found throughout the body where it serves a variety of functions. It is in the stomach and intestines where it helps with digestion and nutrient collection.
Mouth
Function:
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.
Location:
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts before you even take a bite. It is located at the upper part of the body.
Gallbladder
Function:
Its main function is to store bile. Bile helps your digestive system break down fats. Bile is a mixture of mainly cholesterol, bilirubin and bile salts.
Location:
Your gallbladder is located in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). It sits just under your liver.
Esophagus
Function:
The primary function of your esophagus is to carry food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. When you swallow, food and liquid first move from your mouth to your throat (pharynx).
Location:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The esophagus contracts as it moves food into the stomach. A āvalveā called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located just before the opening to the stomach.
Muscularis
Function:
The muscularis externa is responsible for segmental contractions and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. These muscles cause food to move and churn together with digestive enzymes down the GI tract. The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer.
Functionally, the muscularis mucosae is not well studied. Presumably it functions to promote local stirring at the mucosal surface, to improve secretion and the absorption of nutrients. The submucosa is a connective tissue layer deep to and supporting the mucosa.
Location:
The muscularis mucosa is made up of smooth muscle, and is most prominent in the stomach. Within the muscularis externa, the circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward, while the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.
Appendix
Function:
The function of the appendix is unknown. One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
Small Intestine
Function:
It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
Location:
The small intestine is coiled inside the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, framing the edges of the abdominal cavity.
Stomach
Function:
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
Location:
Your stomach sits in your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The bottom of your stomach connects to your small intestine.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine stores the wastes (the food remains), then ejects them outside the body through the anus. The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing the water and the vitamins, and it converts the digested food into feces.
Location:
The large intestine is in your lower abdominal cavity from your waist down. It surrounds the small intestine in a sort of a square question mark shape, with the tail of the question mark ending at the anal canal.
Liver
Function:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
Location:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
Smooth Muscle
Function:
The main function of smooth muscle of the GI tract is to mix and propel intraluminal contents to enable efficient digestion of food, progressive absorption of nutrients, and evacuation of residues.
Location:
Smooth muscle is found throughout the body where it serves a variety of functions. It is in the stomach and intestines where it helps with digestion and nutrient collection.
Mouth
Function:
Your mouth allows air and nutrients to enter your body, and it also helps you speak. It’s also called the oral cavity. The first digestion happens in the mouth.
Location:
The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and containing the teeth, gums, and tongue.
Gallbladder
Function:
To store bile, a thick, yellow-brown enzyme produced by your liver that helps you digest fats.
Location:
A pear-shaped organ located below the liver that stores the bile secreted by the liver.
Esophagus
Function:
Esophagus is relatively straight muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. The esophagus can contract or expand to allow for the passage of food.
Location:
Anatomically, it lies behind the trachea and heart and in front of the spinal column.
Muscularis
Function:
ā¢ The muscularis externa aids in the propulsion and peristalsis.
ā¢ It also helps in digestion by mixing the ingested food with the digestive juices such as succus entericus.
ā¢ The peristaltic movements of the muscularis externa in the esophagus help in the translocation of food from the mouth into the fundus of the stomach.
ā¢ It aids in passing out of the bodily wastes such as fecal matter and urine.
Location:
The lamina muscularis mucosae (or muscularis mucosae) is a thin layer ( lamina) of muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, located outside the lamina propria, and separating it from the submucosa.
Appendix
Function:
One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The cecum is a pouch-like structure of the large intestine, located at the junction of the small and the large intestines.
Small Intestine
Function:
A long, hollow, narrow and folded tube, the small intestine is the principle organ of the digestive system. It is the site for most digestion and absorption of food you eat. Apart from digestion and absorption, it performs several other tasks as well.
Location:
It extends from the stomach (pylorus) to the large intestine (cecum) and consists of three parts: duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
Stomach
Function:
ā¢ Food storage
ā¢ Acidic breakdown of swallowed food
ā¢ Sends mixture on to the next phase in the small intestine
Location:
Stomach, saclike expansion of the digestive system, between the esophagus and the small intestine; it is located in the anterior portion of the abdominal cavity in most vertebrates.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for absorption of water from the indigestible residue of food.
ā¢ . Formation and elimination of feces
ā¢ 2. Absorption of vitamins
ā¢ 3. Absorption of water and electrolytes
ā¢ 4. Antibody production
ā¢ 5. Acid reduction
Location:
The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing water and vitamins while converting digested food into feces.
Liver
Function:
It has many functions in the:
ā¢ Bile production ā This is a fluid that helps to emulsify (break up into smaller droplets that can be more easily digested) lipids and fats in the duodenum. The bile, before being released, is temporarily stored in the gall bladder
ā¢ Blood sugar regulation ā The liver is very important for keeping blood sugar level constant. It converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage by the action of the hormone insulin. It releases the stored glycogen as glucose by the action of the glucagon hormone when glucose blood levels get low
ā¢ Digestion and metabolism ā It breaks down carbohydrate, protein and fats so they can be digested
ā¢ Neutralising toxins ā Such as alcohol and other drugs which are harmful for the body
ā¢ Storage of nutrients ā including vitamins and iron
ā¢ Fighting infections ā It helps to remove harmful bacteria from the blood that cause disease
Location:
The liver is reddish-brown and shaped approximately like a cone or a wedge, with the small end above the spleen and stomach and the large end above the small intestine.
Smooth Muscle
Function and Location:
Smooth musculature is found in (almost) all organ system such as hollow organs (e.g. stomach, bladder), in tubular structures (e.g. vessels, bile ducts), in sphincters, in the uterus, in the eye etc. In addition it plays an important role in the ducts of exocrine glands. It fulfills various tasks such as sealing orifices (e.g. pylorus, uterine os) or the transport of the chyme through wavelike contractions of the intestinal tube. On the one hand smooth muscle cells contract slower than skeletal muscle cells, on the other hand they are stronger, more sustained and require less energy.
Mouth
Function:
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.
Location:
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts before you even take a bite. It is located at the upper part of the body.
Gallbladder
Function:
Its main function is to store bile. Bile helps your digestive system break down fats. Bile is a mixture of mainly cholesterol, bilirubin and bile salts.
Location:
Your gallbladder is located in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). It sits just under your liver.
Esophagus
Function:
The primary function of your esophagus is to carry food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. When you swallow, food and liquid first move from your mouth to your throat (pharynx).
Location:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The esophagus contracts as it moves food into the stomach. A āvalveā called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located just before the opening to the stomach.
Muscularis
Function:
The muscularis externa is responsible for segmental contractions and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. These muscles cause food to move and churn together with digestive enzymes down the GI tract. The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer.
Functionally, the muscularis mucosae is not well studied. Presumably it functions to promote local stirring at the mucosal surface, to improve secretion and the absorption of nutrients. The submucosa is a connective tissue layer deep to and supporting the mucosa.
Location:
The muscularis mucosa is made up of smooth muscle, and is most prominent in the stomach. Within the muscularis externa, the circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward, while the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.
Appendix
Function:
The function of the appendix is unknown. One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
Small Intestine
Function:
It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
Location:
The small intestine is coiled inside the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, framing the edges of the abdominal cavity.
Stomach
Function:
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
Location:
Your stomach sits in your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The bottom of your stomach connects to your small intestine.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine stores the wastes (the food remains), then ejects them outside the body through the anus. The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing the water and the vitamins, and it converts the digested food into feces.
Location:
The large intestine is in your lower abdominal cavity from your waist down. It surrounds the small intestine in a sort of a square question mark shape, with the tail of the question mark ending at the anal canal.
Liver
Function:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
Location:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
Smooth Muscle
Function:
The main function of smooth muscle of the GI tract is to mix and propel intraluminal contents to enable efficient digestion of food, progressive absorption of nutrients, and evacuation of residues.
Location:
Smooth muscle is found throughout the body where it serves a variety of functions. It is in the stomach and intestines where it helps with digestion and nutrient collection.
Mouth
Function:
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.
Location:
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts before you even take a bite. It is located at the upper part of the body.
Gallbladder
Function:
Its main function is to store bile. Bile helps your digestive system break down fats. Bile is a mixture of mainly cholesterol, bilirubin and bile salts.
Location:
Your gallbladder is located in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). It sits just under your liver.
Esophagus
Function:
The primary function of your esophagus is to carry food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. When you swallow, food and liquid first move from your mouth to your throat (pharynx).
Location:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The esophagus contracts as it moves food into the stomach. A āvalveā called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located just before the opening to the stomach.
Muscularis
Function:
The muscularis externa is responsible for segmental contractions and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. These muscles cause food to move and churn together with digestive enzymes down the GI tract. The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer.
Functionally, the muscularis mucosae is not well studied. Presumably it functions to promote local stirring at the mucosal surface, to improve secretion and the absorption of nutrients. The submucosa is a connective tissue layer deep to and supporting the mucosa.
Location:
The muscularis mucosa is made up of smooth muscle, and is most prominent in the stomach. Within the muscularis externa, the circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward, while the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.
Appendix
Function:
The function of the appendix is unknown. One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
Small Intestine
Function:
It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
Location:
The small intestine is coiled inside the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, framing the edges of the abdominal cavity.
Stomach
Function:
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
Location:
Your stomach sits in your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The bottom of your stomach connects to your small intestine.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine stores the wastes (the food remains), then ejects them outside the body through the anus. The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing the water and the vitamins, and it converts the digested food into feces.
Location:
The large intestine is in your lower abdominal cavity from your waist down. It surrounds the small intestine in a sort of a square question mark shape, with the tail of the question mark ending at the anal canal.
Liver
Function:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
Location:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
Smooth Muscle
Function:
The main function of smooth muscle of the GI tract is to mix and propel intraluminal contents to enable efficient digestion of food, progressive absorption of nutrients, and evacuation of residues.
Location:
Smooth muscle is found throughout the body where it serves a variety of functions. It is in the stomach and intestines where it helps with digestion and nutrient collection.
Mouth
Function:
The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.
Location:
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. In fact, digestion starts before you even take a bite. It is located at the upper part of the body.
Gallbladder
Function:
Its main function is to store bile. Bile helps your digestive system break down fats. Bile is a mixture of mainly cholesterol, bilirubin and bile salts.
Location:
Your gallbladder is located in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). It sits just under your liver.
Esophagus
Function:
The primary function of your esophagus is to carry food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach. When you swallow, food and liquid first move from your mouth to your throat (pharynx).
Location:
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx (throat) to the stomach. The esophagus contracts as it moves food into the stomach. A āvalveā called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located just before the opening to the stomach.
Muscularis
Function:
The muscularis externa is responsible for segmental contractions and peristaltic movement in the GI tract. These muscles cause food to move and churn together with digestive enzymes down the GI tract. The muscularis externa consists of an inner circular layer and a longitudinal outer muscular layer.
Functionally, the muscularis mucosae is not well studied. Presumably it functions to promote local stirring at the mucosal surface, to improve secretion and the absorption of nutrients. The submucosa is a connective tissue layer deep to and supporting the mucosa.
Location:
The muscularis mucosa is made up of smooth muscle, and is most prominent in the stomach. Within the muscularis externa, the circular muscle layer prevents food from traveling backward, while the longitudinal layer shortens the tract.
Appendix
Function:
The function of the appendix is unknown. One theory is that the appendix acts as a storehouse for good bacteria, ārebootingā the digestive system after diarrheal illnesses.
Location:
The appendix is located in the lower right portion of the abdomen, near where the small intestine attaches to the large intestine.
Small Intestine
Function:
It helps to further digest food coming from the stomach. It absorbs nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins) and water from food so they can be used by the body.
Location:
The small intestine is coiled inside the lower abdominal cavity beneath the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, framing the edges of the abdominal cavity.
Stomach
Function:
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
Location:
Your stomach sits in your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The bottom of your stomach connects to your small intestine.
Large Intestine
Function:
The large intestine stores the wastes (the food remains), then ejects them outside the body through the anus. The large intestine is the final section of the gastrointestinal tract that performs the vital task of absorbing the water and the vitamins, and it converts the digested food into feces.
Location:
The large intestine is in your lower abdominal cavity from your waist down. It surrounds the small intestine in a sort of a square question mark shape, with the tail of the question mark ending at the anal canal.
Liver
Function:
The liver regulates most chemical levels in the blood and excretes a product called bile. This helps carry away waste products from the liver. All the blood leaving the stomach and intestines passes through the liver.
Location:
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
Smooth Muscle
Function:
The main function of smooth muscle of the GI tract is to mix and propel intraluminal contents to enable efficient digestion of food, progressive absorption of nutrients, and evacuation of residues.
Location:
Smooth muscle is found throughout the body where it serves a variety of functions. It is in the stomach and intestines where it helps with digestion and nutrient collection.