their simpler forms so that your body can absorb it.
 Secretion
 Human Digestive
System
Human Digestive system includes Gastrointestinal
Tract and other accessory parts like the liver, intestines,
glands, mouth, stomach, gallbladder. There are 6 main
functions of the Human Digestive System Process:
Ingestion, Motility, Secretion, Digestion, Absorption,
Excretion. The food that you eat gives you not only the
required energy and nutrients to the body but also is
used for cell growth and repair.
In Human digestive system, there are many parts that
work together. The food that you eat
has biomacromolecules, which are nothing but the
carbohydrates (such as sugars), proteins, lipids (such as
fats), and nucleic acids. These have to be converted to
These biomacromolecules are the building blocks that
you require to maintain your body, which is also made
of these large biological molecules, along with water!
This process of converting complex food substances
(molecules) into simpler forms to facilitate absorption is
called Digestion. In humans, this system consists of
many parts and organs, including the alimentary canal,
digestive glands, and a few accessory organs such as the
teeth, salivary glands, tongue, pancreas, liver,
gallbladder etc.
Nevertheless, the starting point where digestion actually
starts in the mouth! From the mouth, it passes through
the alimentary canal, which is also called the
gastrointestinal tract. This tract consists of the pharynx,
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and
anus. The mouth can be considered as the anterior
opening of the alimentary canal, while the anus is the
posterior opening.
Digestive System Process:
From the Mouth to the Large Intestine and Anus. The
Human digestive system process can be divided into
stages, namely:
 Ingestion
 Motility
 Digestion
 Absorption
 Excretion
The whole process starts in the oral cavity, where the
saliva from the salivary glands mixes with the food and
starts to begin the breakdown of food. From the mouth,
the food passes to the hollow tube-like organ the
esophagus. From the esophagus, food then travels to the
stomach, where it breaks down further with the help of
the acids and powerful enzymes secreted by the
stomach.
This semi-digested food then travels down to the small
intestine, where secretions from the liver, gallbladder,
and pancreas further act on the food particles. The
small intestine is divided into three parts called the
duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Most of the digestion
takes place here in the small intestine, where absorption
also occurs. Once most of the absorption of water and
digested nutrients is completed in the small intestine, the
remaining waste products move to the large intestine.
The large intestine divides into appendix, caecum,
colon, and rectum. The faecal matter from the large
intestine comes out through the anus.

Digestive System Parts:
Mouth
The anterior opening of the alimentary canal is the
mouth. It leads to a buccal cavity or oral cavity, where
teeth, tongue and salivary glands are present. Here,
ingestion, mastication, and swallowing of food occur. In
humans, there are a total of 32 permanent teeth. There
are four different types of teeth, namely, incisors,
canines, premolars, and molars. These help in the
chewing of food.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Salivary Glands
They are exocrine glands that produce saliva in the oral
cavity. They secrete an enzyme called amylase, which
helps in the breakdown of starch into maltose. There are
three types of salivary glands, namely:
 Parotid gland
 Submandibular gland
 Sublingual gland
Stomach
The esophagus leads to a sac-like organ called the
stomach. It is a muscular, hollow organ, having a
capacity of 1 litre. The stomach holds food and also is a
mixer and grinder. It secretes strong acids and powerful
enzymes that help in the process of breaking down of
food. Food is generally in a liquid or pastes consistency
when it leaves the stomach.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Small Intestine
The small intestine is a long tube, which loosely coils in
the abdomen area. Here, enzymes from the pancreas and
liver further break down the food. Three segments make
up the small intestines, which are the duodenum,
jejunum, and ileum. The contractions of the small
intestine help in the movement of food, along with its
breakdown, after mixing with the digestive secretions.
The jejunum and ileum areas of the small intestine are
responsible for the absorption of food into the blood,
though their villi.
Pancreas, Liver and Gall Bladder
These organs also play a significant role in the human
digestive system. The pancreas secretes enzymes which
help in the breakdown protein, fat, and carbohydrate.
The liver secretes bile and cleanses and purifies the
blood coming from the small intestine. The gallbladder
stores the bile that the liver produces. It releases bile
into the small intestine to aid in the digestion process.
Large Intestine
The large intestine is a long muscular tube that has
different parts, which are caecum, colon, and rectum.
The waste that is left over after digestion of food,
reaches the rectum through the peristaltic movements of
the colon.
1. Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD)
If you have heartburn or acid reflux more than a
couple of times a week, you may have
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD.
The esophagus moves swallowed food down to
your stomach. A ring of muscles—the lower
esophageal sphincter (LES)—connects the
stomach and esophagus. When the LES is weak,
stomach acid can leak back up into your
esophagus and cause heartburn. This can cause
serious damage to your esophagus over time.
About 20% of Americans suffer from GERD. You
can treat GERD with lifestyle changes, such as
changing what and when you eat, and eating
smaller meals. Antacids or prescription-strength
acid blockers can also help.
B O AR D S
2. Peptic Ulcer Disease
(PUD) and Gastritis
PUD is an open sore in the lining of the stomach
or upper part of the small intestine. It affects over
15 million Americans. Gastritis is inflammation of
the stomach lining. These two conditions have
similar symptoms, including stomach pain and
nausea, and similar causes. A bacterial
infection— H. pylori—is the most common cause
of PUD and often causes chronic gastritis.
NSAIDs—including aspirin, ibuprofen and
naproxen—are another common cause. Antacids
and proton pump inhibitors often help. Antibiotics
treat H. pylori infection.
3. Stomach Flu
Stomach flu—or gastroenteritis—is an infection of the
stomach and upper part of the small intestine.
Common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, stomach
pain, and cramps. Rotavirus and norovirus, which
affect millions of people every year, are often the
cause. Gastroenteritis often clears up on its own, but
you lose fluids through diarrhea and vomiting. Prevent
dehydration by drinking water and electrolyte drinks.
How Serious Are Your
Symptoms?
Stomach aches, gas, heartburn and other
digestion issues can be uncomfortable, but
fortunately, they usually aren’t cause for concern.
Sometimes, though, these symptoms may signal
a more serious health condition. Talk with your
doctor if you think you might have one of these
10 common digestive disorders.
4. Gluten Sensitivity and
Celiac Disease
Symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease
are similar. They include diarrhea, bloating, and
abdominal pain. Gluten sensitivity is relatively
common, affecting about 5% of the U.S.
population. True celiac disease affects less than
1%. It’s important to see your doctor for a correct
diagnosis—don’t try to self-diagnose. Unlike
gluten sensitivity, celiac is an autoimmune
disease that can damage the small intestine.
Eliminating gluten—a protein in wheat, rye,
barley and oats—from your diet is the main
treatment for both conditions.
5. Inflammatory Bowel
Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to long-
lasting inflammation in the digestive tract.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two
most common types of inflammatory bowel
disease. IBD affects about 1.5 million Americans,
including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
They are autoimmune diseases, which means
there is an abnormal immune system reaction.
IBD causes irritation and swelling, resulting in
diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever,
and weight loss. Crohn’s disease mainly affects
the end of the small bowel and the beginning of
the colon. Ulcerative colitis affects just the colon
and rectum. Drugs that block your immune
response can treat IBD. Sometimes surgery is
necessary.
6. Irritable Bowel
Syndrome (IBS)
People sometimes confuse IBS with IBD. IBS is
abdominal pain that occurs at least three times a
month for three months in a row. You also might
have constipation or diarrhea. Unlike IBD, IBS
doesn’t harm the digestive tract and it’s far more
common. More than 15 million Americans have
IBS. The exact cause of IBS is unclear.
Treatment may include eating smaller meals and
avoiding foods that cause symptoms. Some
people take laxatives, fiber supplements, or
probiotics to treat IBS.
7. Constipation
Constipation is difficult or infrequent passage of
stool. If you have bowel movements less than
three times a week, you likely are constipated.
Chronic constipation affects about 63 million
people in the United States. A common cause of
constipation is not getting enough fiber in your
diet. The main symptom of constipation is
straining to go. In most cases, increasing fiber,
fluids, and exercise will solve this condition. Use
laxatives only as a temporary solution.
8. Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen blood vessels in
the anal canal. Symptoms include pain, itching,
and bright red blood after a bowel movement.
Constipation and pregnancy are major causes.
Hemorrhoids are common, with 75% of people
older than 45 having them. It helps to avoid
constipation by adding fiber and plenty of fluids to
your diet. Try hemorrhoid cream, suppositories,
or a warm bath to relieve pain and itchiness. It
may feel a little embarrassing to talk about
hemorrhoids, but don’t let that stop you from
seeking help if hemorrhoids persist.
9. Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease includes diverticulosis—
small pouches that form in the wall of your colon
and diverticulitis and become inflamed. Roughly
half of people ages 60 to 80 have this condition.
You may feel bloated, constipated, or pain in your
lower abdomen. Treatment usually includes
changing what you eat. If you have bleeding from
your rectum, see your doctor right away. You
many need antibiotics, a liquid diet, or even
surgery to treat diverticulitis.
10. Gallstones
The gallbladder is an organ attached to your
intestine that stores bile—a digestive juice. Bile
can form small, hard deposits called gallstones.
About 20 million Americans have gallstones, but
not all of them are a problem. Some gallstones
don’t cause symptoms and go away on their own.
Others can cause severe pain or infection. You
may also have nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Surgery is the usual treatment for gallstones that
cause these gallbladder attacks.