The Anatomy of Human Digestive System
The work is to be 6 pages with three to five sources, with in-text citations and a reference page. Partially digested food is then transferred to the pharynx or throat. The pharynx is a common path for air and food. The two leading tubes are the esophagus that leads to the stomach and trachea or windpipe that leads to lungs. The epiglottis is a cartilage tissue that regulates the passage of either food or air. This prevents the entrance of solid particles to the lungs. Food is transferred to the stomach through peristalsis. Peristalsis is a series of involuntary wave-like muscle contractions in which food moves along the digestive tract. The stomach serves as a mixer and grinder of the food. It is the main digestion organ that releases powerful enzymes and strong acids that further break down particulates to compounds the body can able to assimilate. Carbohydrates are converted to simple sugars, proteins are broken down into its component amino acids and lipids are degraded to monoglycerides and fatty acids. Digested food is then transferred to the small intestine that breaks down food using enzymes secreted by the liver and pancreas. While in here, nutrients are absorbed through the walls and into the bloodstream. The next stage is the large intestine or colon that extracts water to form feces. It is then deposited into the rectum to be eliminated in the anus.Food travels from the mouth, passing the esophagus and into the stomach. This would take 5 to 10 minutes. Food is then stored in 2 to 6 hours inside the stomach for partial digestion. Final digestion and nutrient absorption occur in the small intestine over a period of 5 to 6 hours. In 12 to 24 hours, any undigested material passes through the large intestine, and feces are expelled through the anus.The gastrointestinal tract is 5 to 10 meters of tube-like structure that extends from the mouth up to the anus. It is divided into the upper and lower portions. The upper gastrointestinal tract includes the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. .
