Digestive System

The digestive system is made up of the digestive tract and other organs that
help the body break down and absorb food. It is a long, twisting tube that
starts at the mouth and goes through the oesophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine and anus.
The digestive system breaks down food into nutrients such as carbohydrates,
fats and proteins. They can then be absorbed into the bloodstream so the body
can use them for energy, growth and repair. Unused materials are discarded as
faeces (poo).
How does the digestive system work?
Each organ of the digestive system has an important role in digestion.
Mouth
When someone eats, the teeth chew food into very small pieces. Glands in the
cheeks and under the tongue produce saliva that coats the food, making it
easier to be chewed and swallowed.
Saliva also contains enzymes that start to digest the carbohydrates in food.
Oesophagus
The oesophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the
stomach after it is swallowed. A ring of muscle at the end of the oesophagus
relaxes to let food into the stomach and contracts to prevent stomach contents
from escaping back up the oesophagus.
Stomach
The stomach wall produces gastric juice (hydrochloric acid and enzymes) that
digests proteins. The stomach acts like a concrete mixer, churning and mixing
food with gastric juice to form chyme — a thick, soupy liquid.
Small intestine
Bile from the gallbladder and enzymes in digestive juices from the pancreas
empty into the upper section of the small intestine and help to break down
protein into amino acids and fat into fatty acids. These smaller particles, along
with sugars, vitamins and minerals, are absorbed into the bloodstream
through the wall of the small intestine.
It is called small because it is about 3.5cm in diameter, but it is about 5m long
to provide lots of area for absorption. Most of the chemical digestion of
proteins, fats and carbohydrates is completed in the small intestine.
Large intestine and anus
The lining of the large intestine absorbs water, mineral salts and vitamins.
Undigested fibre is mixed with mucus and bacteria — which partly break down
the fibre — to nourish the cells of the large intestine wall and so help keep the
large intestine healthy. Faeces are formed and stored in the last part of the
large intestine (the rectum) before being passed out of the body through the
anus.
What are common conditions related to the digestive system?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD) occurs when acidic stomach contents move
from the stomach back up the oesophagus. It causes a burning sensation in
the chest or throat.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is caused by inflammation or infection of abnormal pouches in
the lower part of the large intestine. It can cause mild or severe pain on the
lower left-hand side of the abdomen.
Stomach ulcers
Stomach ulcers are commonly caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori
that can live in the stomach of about 4 in 10 Australians. They can cause long-
term, low-level inflammation of the stomach lining in some people. It is not well
understood why they cause stomach ulcers in some people and not in others.
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are itchy or painful lumps that occur in and around the anus.
The lumps contain swollen blood vessels. Haemorrhoids can cause bleeding
when you go to the toilet (do a poo) you might notice bright red blood on the
toilet paper or in the toilet. If you find blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet,
always seek medical advice.