The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to

feed the entire body. Food passes through a long tube inside the body known as the alimentary canal or the
gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The alimentary canal is made up of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach,
small intestines, and large intestines.
The major parts of the digestive system are salivary glands, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, rectum, accessory digestive organs: liver, gallbladder, pancreas.
Digestion is the process by which food is changed into simpler substances that the body cells can use.

Mouth This is where the process of digestion begins. Saliva contains the salivary amylase enzyme which helps in
the breakdown of starch. In the mouth lies the tongue, which is vital for mixing and tasting food. Teeth help in the
grinding of food.

Pharynx (Throat) is a funnel shaped tube that is connected to the mouth. It is charged with passing chewed food
into the esophagus from the mouth. It features an epiglottis which is used as a switch to control entry of air and food
into the larynx and esophagus respectively.
Esophagus - is along muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the throat to the stomach. After you have
swallowed your food, it passes through the throat and into the esophagus. Here, food is passed through the hypo-
pharynx and the oropharynx. Through a process called peristalsis, food is converted into a small round mass and
transported into the stomach. At the end of the esophagus, there is a muscular ring called the cardiac sphincter. It is
responsible for closing the end of the esophagus in order to trap food in the stomach.

Stomach food is coated with a mixture of digestive enzymes and acid. The large J-shaped organ at the end of the
esophagus, on the left-side of the body. The capacity of the stomach is 50 ml when empty and can expand up to 2 to
4 liters when full. This helps break down food. After food has been broken down in the stomach, it is then passed on
to the small intestine.
Small Intestine the narrow coiled tube connected to the stomach. If it is stretched, it is about 7 meters long. It is
divided into 3 parts: the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. The walls of the small intestine have finger-like
projections called villi. They facilitate the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.
Accessory Organs In the duodenum (the first part of the small intestines), carbohydrates, protein and fats are
broken down with the help of enzymes from the pancreas. Bile juice is released from the gall bladder to further break
down fats into a form that the body can use.
Large Intestine (Colon) After the small intestine, we have the large intestine which is charged with absorbing water
and breaking down waste. It contains bacteria that help with the breakdown of waste that is passed on from the small
intestine. Once the remaining nutrients are extracted, it becomes feces that are excreted through the anal canal. It is
only about 1.5 meters long, which includes the colon, rectum, and appendix and twice as wide as small intestine. The
last 20 or 30 centimeters of the colon is called rectum.
Rectum and AnusThe rectum receives stool from the large intestine. When this happens, your body lets you know
that you need to pass stool. It is the rectum’s job to hold the stool until it is evacuated. The stool is passed on from
the rectum to the anus for ejection. The anus is surrounded by sphincter muscles that allow you to control the anus
function.
Common Ailments of the Digestive System
Tooth Decay- Germs act on the tiny bits food let between your teeth and produce acid. This acid dissolves the
enamel which is the white covering o the teeth.As the enamel dissolves, a cavity is ormed.
Indigestion-This is caused by too much or too rapid eating or drinking.
Constipation-This is the difficult elimination of dry and hard feces..
Diarrhea-This is frequent moving of the bowel with watery feces coming out.
Appendicitis-This is an inflammation of the appendix caused by irritation from undigested food that may block it.
Red tide poisoning-This can occur after eating contaminated shellfish such as tahong and talaba taken from bodies
of water with red tide organism.
Lactose intolerance-It is the inability to digest a sugar called lactose that is found in milk and dairy products.
Symptoms include stomach pain and diarrhea within 20 to 30 minutes to 2 hours after drinking milk
Flatulence is the expulsion through the rectum of a mixture of gasses that are byproducts of digestion process,
informally known as fart.

Healthy Habits to Keep Digestive System Healthy

• Have a balanced diet every day.
• Eat regularly and observe the proper time for eating. When
• Chew the food slowly and well.
• Do not eat when you are angry, sad or tense.
• Wash uncooked foods thoroughly before eating them.
• Drink about six to eight glasses of water a day.
• Take part in cheerful and relaxing conversation. It will help stimulate intestinal nactivity.
 Enjoy your meal
 Exercise to stimulate your digestive system