What is stomach and how to work?

What is the stomach?

The stomach is a muscular organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen. It is responsible for 1) breaking down food mechanically through muscle contractions, 2) mixing food with gastric juices to begin chemical digestion, and 3) storing food until it can be passed on to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.

How does the stomach work?

The stomach is made up of four layers of muscle that contract and relax to churn and mix food with digestive juices. The inner lining of the stomach is covered with a thick layer of mucus that protects it from the acidic environment created by the gastric juices.

The process of digestion begins in the mouth, where saliva breaks down carbohydrates. When food reaches the stomach, it is further broken down by stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) and enzymes (such as pepsin). The stomach also produces a hormone called gastrin, which stimulates the production of gastric juices and increases the motility of the stomach muscles.

The food remains in the stomach for several hours, until it has been broken down into a semi-liquid substance called chyme. The chyme is then passed on to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.

Common stomach problems

Some common stomach problems include:

* Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach lining

* Ulcers: sores in the stomach lining

* Heartburn: a burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid reflux

* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a chronic condition in which stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus

* Stomach cancer: a type of cancer that begins in the stomach