The GI tract, or the gastrointestinal system, is a network of organs that starts with the mouth and ends with the anus. The primary function of the digestive system is to break down the foods you eat into usable nutrients, vitamins, and energy. Each organ in the digestive system plays a crucial role in the digestive system’s overall function. Here is an overview of GI system anatomy.
The mouth marks the very beginning of the GI system. Inside the mouth is where digestion starts. As we chew our food, glands inside the mouth secrete saliva to help break down food into small pieces that are easier to digest. Then, when you swallow, the tongue passes the chewed food into your throat and esophagus.
The esophagus is located in the throat and connects your mouth to your stomach. The esophagus receives food from your mouth once it is swallowed, and small muscular contractions known as peristalsis assist the food in traveling down to the stomach. Before food can enter the stomach, a small circular muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) must relax and open to allow food to pass. The sphincter then closes to keep food in the stomach and prevent food and acid from backing up into the esophagus.
The stomach is a hollow organ that can store as much as 6 cups of food and liquid. While food sits inside the stomach, strong acids break it down into smaller parts. The stomach is not responsible for absorbing any of the food. It simply stays there until it is digested enough to be moved into the first part of the small intestine.
The small intestine consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The first part, the duodenum, breaks down food using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver. The jejunum and ileum then absorb nutrients and vitamins from the food into the bloodstream. Once everything has been absorbed, the leftover food residue is passed into the large intestine, also known as the colon.
The pancreas is located in the upper right abdomen that secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum to help break down proteins, fat, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas is also responsible for insulin production, which helps the body metabolize sugars.
The liver is another organ located in the right upper abdomen that plays many different roles in food digestion. It helps process nutrients in food by converting them into forms the body can more easily use. It also helps detoxify the blood and remove harmful substances from the body. The liver secretes bile into the small intestine to help digest fats and other vitamins. The liver can also store vitamins, minerals, and sugars so the body can use them later.
The gallbladder sits just below the liver and is responsible for storing and concentrating bile from the liver. When needed, the bile is released into the duodenum of the small intestine to help adsorb and digest fats.
The colon is where waste is processed to be excreted from the body. The colon consists of several different parts, including the cecum, the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon, which then connects to the rectum. The waste, also called stool, consists of food debris left over from the digestive process. It starts off entering the colon in liquid form, and as peristalsis moves the waste through the colon, water is removed and absorbed, making the stool more solid. Stool typically takes around 36 hours to move through the colon.
The rectum is an 8-inch chamber that connects the colon to the anus. The rectum’s only real job is to collect and hold stool until it can be evacuated through a bowel movement.
The anus is the very last part of the GI system. It is a 2-inch long canal surrounded by sphincter muscles that either keep stool in or allow it to be passed.
The GI system has many different organs, each with a unique role. For the system to run smoothly, all organs must function correctly. By living a healthy lifestyle and seeking care from a qualified gastroenterologist when things go wrong, you can help keep your GI system healthy throughout your life.
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