THE DIGESTIVE

THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM
SYSTEM
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 MOUTH
• Digestion starts when food is
taken into the mouth. This is
called ingestion.

MECHANICAL DIGESTION
• Turns food into smaller pieces by chewing
with the use of our teeth for easier
digestion.
INITIAL CHEMICAL DIGESTION
• This is carried out by enzyme molecules that
speed up the chemical digestion of
carbohydrates. Enzymes present in saliva
such as amylase helps break down large
complex molecules of carbohydrates into
simpler ones that the body can use.

S
PHARYNX
(THROAT)
• Swallowing happens here. When you
swallow, a small tissue closes the
windpipe called epiglottis. This
prevents food from entering your
lungs.
ESOPHAGU
• A muscular tube that is
approximately 10 inches in length.
• Carries food called bolus from the
mouth to the stomach.
• Muscle contractions in the
esophagus help move the food down
to the stomach. This process is
called peristalsis.
• It is wrapped with mucus so that
the food can quickly go down to
your stomach.
 STOMACH
• As the food in the esophagus enters the
stomach, gastric juices are secreted. Gastric
juice secreted in the stomach contains
hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin, which
are responsible for primary protein
digestion. Proteins are broken down into
their component parts, also called amino
acids.

• Food stays in the stomach for four hours,

wherein it is mixed, churned, and broken into
even smaller pieces.
Sphinter
• The regulator muscle of the stomach which
prevents the food from escaping. It is also a soft
muscle that serves as the valve at the esophagus to
the stomach then to the small intestine.
Liver Pancreas
Produces bile. secretes pancreatic juice which
breaks down fats, carbohydrates,
and protein.
Gallbladder
Stores the bile SMALL INTESTINE
the liver (DUODENUM, JEJUNUM,
produces. ILEUM)

• is where most of the absorption of

nutrients from food takes place.

• To help break food down, the small

intestine receives digestive juices from
other organs in the digestive system,
including the liver, gallbladder and
pancreas. Hormone glands in the lining of
the duodenum signal these organs to release
their chemicals when food is present.
• Carbohydrates which are broken down into simple sugars and protein which are broken
down in the stomach into their component parts, also called amino acid, are all digested
and absorbed in the small intestine.

• The fats and lipids, completed their digestion in the small intestine where bile secreted
from the liver disintegrates them into fatty acids and glycerol particles.

• In the process of absorption and assimilation after digestion, the nutrients pass through
the walls of the small intestine and into the blood stream.

• The nutrients that are present in the blood reach the target cells and tissues that utilize
them for their activities. This process of synthesizing the biological compounds
(macromolecules) from the absorbed simple molecules is called assimilation. It helps in
cell growth and development and new cell production.
 LARGE
INTESTINES
• The undigested parts of food or those that
were not absorbed by the body moves to the
large intestine like cellulose of fruits and
vegetables. It also changes the undigested
food into semi-solid waste or feces.
 RECTUM
Acts as the stool's
ANUS temporary storage
Where stool exits the
body