5.3: Anatomy Review of the Gastrointestinal System
- Page ID
- 87682
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The gastrointestinal (GI) system, or the digestive system, is a complex and essential network of organs and tissues responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste products from the body. It plays a vital role in maintaining overall health.
The gastrointestinal tract comprises the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anal canal. These organs transport food, chyme, and fecal matter. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are accessory organs that assist the gastrointestinal tract in breaking down food.
The digestion process begins in the mouth, where food is broken down into smaller pieces through mechanical and chemical means. Mechanically chewing food breaks the food into smaller particles. Enzymes in saliva break down carbohydrates, which initiate the chemical process of breaking down food.