Know Your Gastrointestinal Tract

The gastrointestinal tract breaks down food into absorbable compounds through mechanical and biochemical processes. Chewing breaks food into smaller particles so that it can mix more readily with the digestive juices. The saliva lubricates the food bolus so that it passes readily through the oesophagus into the stomach and contains digestive enzymes. Swallowing moves the bolus of food into the stomach via the food pipe or the oesophagus. Movements of the stomach help mix the food with the gastric juices which, contain acid and digestive enzymes. The action of the stomach also breaks down food into smaller particles before sending it to the intestine. 

Gastrointestinal Tract

Digestion of macronutrients, which begins in the mouth continues in the small intestine. Here, the peristaltic motor activity propels the food along the length of the intestine and promotes mixing of food with pancreatic enzymes and bile acids. 

Approximately 10 12 microorganisms reside in the gastrointestinal tract , most of which are in the large intestine. Some of these microbes are considered harmful and are associated with intestinal diseases, while others are considered beneficial and are associated with the synthesis of vitamins, facilitating mineral absorption and immune stimulation. All digested food molecules are absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract , mostly from the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum). After the food molecules are absorbed, they are carried via the blood to the liver for further processing. It then distributes the nutrients throughout the body via the blood. 

gastrointestinal tract : Home 
gastrointestinal tract : Next
gastrointestinal tract : Organs Associated with the Digestive Tract
gastrointestinal tract : Symptoms of Digestive Disorders