estive S

ig ys
D te
e
h

m
T

FACTS
Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which
the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. Food and drink
must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients before the blood
absorbs them and carries them to cells throughout the body.

The muscles in your

esophagus act like a giant
wave. That is what moves
food or drinks down to
your stomach. This wave
action is called peristalsis.
The small intestine is about 22-23
feet long while the large intestine is
only about 5 feet long.

The pharynx, or throat, plays a

dual role. It is a common
passageway for air entering the
respiratory system and for food
and fluids entering the digestive
system.
Stomach growling is called
borborygmic and happens all the time,
but it is just louder when your stomach
is empty because there is no food to
muffle it.

Fiber is indigestible, and is

Your pancreas and your liver left over when all other
produce enzymes to help you nutrients are removed
break down food. from food.

The small intestine absorbs You can eat upside down.

90 per cent of your body's Food doesn't need gravity
nutrients. to reach your stomach.

Stomachs vary widely between

species. Ruminants such as The digestive system is
cows have a four-chambered linked to cancer in more
stomach, while seahorses and people and causes more
platypuses don’t have a mortalities than any other
stomach at all. body system.

Megan J. Biag BS Psychology 2B