Question

List the organs of the digestive system.

Answer 1

Digestive system :

1. The digestive system of the human body comprises a group of organs which work together to convert food into energy for the body.
2. Anatomically, the digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract, along with accessory organs such as the liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

Parts of alimentary canal

1. Mouth: Food starts its journey from the mouth. There are many other organs that contribute to the digestion process, including teeth, salivary glands, and tongue which help in mechanical break down of food into bolus form.
2. Pharynx: A fibromuscular y-shaped tube attached to the terminal end of the mouth. It is mainly involved in the passage of chewed/crushed food from the mouth through the oesophagus.
3. Oesophagus: This is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx, which is a part of an upper section of the gastrointestinal tract. It supplies swallowed food along with its length.
4. Stomach: It serves as a muscular bag which is situated towards the left side of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm. It acts as a storage for the food and provides enough time to digest meals. The stomach also produces digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid that maintains the process of digestion.
5. Small Intestine: It is a thin, long tube of about 10 feet long. It is present just behind the stomach and acquires a maximum area of the abdominal cavity. The complete small intestine is coiled and the inner surface consists of folds and ridges.
6. Large Intestine: It is a thick, long tube measuring around 5 feet in length. It is present just beneath the stomach and wraps over the superior and lateral edges of the small intestine. It absorbs water and consists of bacteria (symbiotic) that support the breakdown of wastes to fetch small nutrients.
7. Rectum: Waste products are passed into the end of the large intestine called the rectum and eliminated out of the body as a solid matter called stool.

Associated Digestive Glands:

Pancreas

1. It is a large gland present just behind the stomach.
2. It is short with its anterior connected to the duodenum and posterior pointing towards the left part of the abdominal cavity.
3. The pancreas releases digestive enzymes to complete the process of chemical digestion.

Liver

1. It is a roughly triangular, reddish-brown accessory organ of the digestive system located to the right of the stomach.
2. It produces bile, which helps in the digestion of fat in the small intestine.