How Does the Digestive System Work, What Are Its Stages?

Due to its structure, the human body carries out many complex processes very easily and quickly. One of these processes is the vital is the digestive system. This system, which is responsible for every food that enters our body, carries out the digestion process of food smoothly with many auxiliary organs.

starting orally digestive process, It ends in the anus after various chemical and physical processes. This process, which is occasionally interrupted due to various illnesses, can be restored in a short time with developing treatments.

Starting from the basics: What is the digestive system?

The energy required for all processes and activities in our body is provided by the food we eat. Digestive systemIt allows us to use foods obtained from different sources such as meat, fruits and vegetables as an energy source.

our digestive systemThe ability to coordinate the chewing of food without damaging our tongue and lips, and by secreting the appropriate enzymes, also allows us to make the process of food moving from the stomach to the intestine much more carefully and accurately.

So how exactly does the digestive system work?

Digestive system, While it breaks down food, it also works to move between organs and absorb the building blocks of food. Each organ has its own unique function. The mouth performs its functions by chewing, the esophagus by peristaltic movements, the stomach by contracting and relaxing, and the small and large intestines by peristaltic movements.

Peristaltic movement is the contraction and relaxation of the muscles that allow food to move through the system. Not every food taken into the body can be used directly and is optimized through a series of processes and the unnecessary parts are removed from the body.

Digestive system organs and their functions:

• Mouth
• Swallow
• Esophagus
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large bowel
• Anus

Mouth

After food enters our body, it first begins its journey through the mouth. Including teeth, salivary glands and tongue to the digestive process Many auxiliary organs assist in this process. The teeth break food particles into small pieces, and then the tongue moistens the food with saliva before pushing it into the pharynx.

Swallow

Pharynx, which is a Y-shaped tube that connects to the mouth. chewed/crushed It plays a role in the smooth passage of food from the mouth to the esophagus. The air we breathe also has an important place in the respiratory system, as it passes through the pharynx on its way from the nasal cavity to the lungs.

Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach and moves food into the stomach through a series of contractions called peristalsis. Just before the connection with the stomach, there is a region called the lower esophagus “sphincter”; This area prevents food from passing back into the esophagus.

Stomach

Stomach, a sac-like organ with strong muscular walls mixing food And in grinding plays an important role. The stomach secretes acid and powerful enzymes that aid in the breakdown of food. When food leaves the stomach, it has a liquid or paste consistency.

Small intestine

The small intestine, consisting of three parts: duodenum, jejunum and ileum, is a long, loosely coiled tube. The small intestine uses enzymes secreted by the pancreas and bile from the liver. breaking down food helps the process.

Large bowel

your small intestine The large intestine, from where it ends to the anus, is approximately 1.5-2 meters long. This organ, where water absorption takes place, turns waste that is not used in the digestive process into feces. The rectum, located at the end of the large intestine, allows this stool to be stored until it is excreted through the anus.

Anus

digestive system The last part, the anus, consists of the pelvic floor muscles and two anal sphincters. Their job is to detect whether the rectal contents are solid, liquid, or gas, and then control when the stool stored in the rectum needs to be expelled from your body.

It is worth paying attention to: What are digestive system diseases?

• Gastroenteritis
• celiac disease
• Constipation and Diarrhea
• irritable bowel syndrome
• reflux
• Ulcer
• large intestine cancer

Gastroenteritis

Also commonly known as stomach flu gastroenteritisIt is an infection caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites or various chemicals. Some common viruses that can cause gastroenteritis include norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus. This discomfort, which usually lasts less than a week, often resolves on its own without the need for any medical intervention. However, more serious cases may cause dehydration and may require some medical treatment as a result.

celiac disease

Celiac disease is a chronic disease that causes damage to the small intestine. digestive system It is a disease. In this disease, a person’s immune system reacts to gluten. Gluten is a protein found naturally in wheat, barley and rye. It is commonly found in foods such as bread, pasta, cookies and cakes, but it can also be found in other foods or beverages that we have not listed.

Constipation and Diarrhea

Constipation and diarrhea are extremely common digestive system is among the ailments. These disorders, which may occur for a short time, can greatly affect the quality of life if they last for a long time.

Constipation is a disorder in which bowel movements are greatly reduced and defecation is infrequent. There may be many reasons behind constipation and diarrhea. If you are in such a situation, we recommend that you go to a healthcare institution as soon as possible.

irritable bowel syndrome

irritable bowel syndrome, It is a chronic disorder that affects the activities of the large intestine. According to recent studies, it is estimated that approximately 12% of people living in the United States have this condition.

The symptoms caused by this disorder are: in the digestive system It occurs without any visible signs of physical damage or disease. However, these seemingly simple symptoms can still affect quality of life.

reflux

reflux, digestive system It is one of the most common ailments. It occurs when stomach contents return to the esophagus. Many people can experience this from time to time. This disorder, which can occur without any symptoms, may in some cases cause indigestion or a burning sensation in the chest area.

Ulcer

Ulcer, stomach tissue It is the formation of various wounds in this damaged part due to damage and subsequent digestive secretions. This same disorder can also occur in the duodenum. The most common cause of this disorder is “helicobacter pylori” showing infection caused by bacteria.

large intestine cancer

With the developments in the field of health in recent years, colon cancer It has become treatable with early diagnosis. Through various tests, it has become possible to prevent, detect and treat the disease long before symptoms appear.

Interesting information about the digestive system:

• You can eat upside down
• Stomach acid can digest the stomach
• Your emotions can affect your digestive system
• We produce an average of 0.75 to 1.5 liters of saliva daily.

You can eat upside down

of food reaches your stomach It does not need any gravity. When you eat something, the muscles in your esophagus contract and relax in a wave-like pattern. This process is called peristalsis and pushes food along the esophagus towards the stomach. So eating upside down is difficult and dangerous, but also possible.

Stomach acid can digest the stomach

produced by your stomach Digestive juice called hydrochloric acid has an extremely corrosive nature. The stomach protects itself from this acid with a thick layer of mucus. If this layer did not exist, stomach acid would digest itself.

Your emotions can affect your digestive system

You’ve probably heard of the connection between the brain and the gut. your intestine your emotional health It turns out that a problem in your gastrointestinal tract sends signals to your nervous system that can affect your mood.

We produce an average of 0.75 to 1.5 liters of saliva daily.

Swallowing your saliva is an action that you rarely think about doing, rather it is a process that happens quite naturally. Yet we produce approximately 0.75 to 1.5 liters of saliva each day. Helps moisten food and digestion of carbohydrates There are 3 sets of salivary glands that initiate

All the details in this content are for informational purposes only. If you suspect one of the conditions we have discussed, we recommend that you go to a healthcare facility as soon as possible.