What does your digestive system do?

The digestive system is a group of organs that work together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body. The process of digestion begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva to form a soft mass called a bolus. The bolus then travels down the esophagus to the stomach, where it is mixed with gastric juices and churned to further break it down. The stomach then slowly releases the partially digested food, called chyme, into the small intestine.

In the small intestine, the chyme is mixed with bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas, which help to further break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the food. The walls of the small intestine are lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area for the absorption of nutrients. The nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream through the villi.

Any undigested food that remains after passing through the small intestine moves into the large intestine, or colon. In the colon, water and electrolytes are absorbed, and the remaining waste material is formed into stool. The stool is then stored in the rectum until it is eliminated from the body through the anus.

Overall, the digestive system plays a vital role in breaking down food into its component nutrients, which are then used by the body for energy and growth. It also eliminates waste products from the body.