Digestive System 101
Anatomy of the Digestive System
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While most people are familiar with the digestive system, they may not know how important it is or what exactly it does. Thanks to your digestive system, almost everything that you eat serves as potential fuel for your body.
This is why a healthy diet is so important, and why supplements like probiotics can play an important role in maintaining your digestive health.
WHAT IS DIGESTION?
MAIN PARTS OF THE HUMAN DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The digestive system is more than a single part. It is a system of tubes and organs that begins with one’s mouth and ends with the anus. These parts can be divided into two groups – the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and the accessory organs. The accessory organs include the gallbladder, liver and pancreas, while all other parts belong to the GI tract. Regardless of which group the parts belong to, they are all critical to the digestive process.
Mouth. The mouth is the first step in the digestive process. It is where liquids and food are taken in, and mastication takes place.
Esophagus. The Esophagus is a tube that food and liquids travel down after they have been swallowed. This passage is connected to the stomach.
Stomach. The stomach stores food and begins th