{"id":40875,"date":"2023-08-03T14:55:30","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T09:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/"},"modified":"2023-08-03T14:55:30","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T09:10:30","slug":"functions-of-the-human-digestive-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Functions of The Human Digestive System"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The digestive&nbsp;system is not only uniquely constructed to perform its specialized function of turning food into the energy but also responsible for packaging the residue for waste disposal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It is essential to good health because if the digestive system shuts down, the body cannot be nourished or rid itself of waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1772\" src=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Functions-of-the-Human-Digestive-System.jpg\" alt=\"Functions of the Human Digestive System\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\"><\/p>\n<p>Image Sources: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/295910877_Important_roles_of_P2Y_receptors_in_the_inflammation_and_cancer_of_digestive_system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Han-Xing Wan et al.<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/565905509431812536\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pinterest<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/#digestion-and-absorption\" title=\"Digestion and Absorption\">Digestion and Absorption<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/#elimination-of-waste-material\" title=\"Elimination of waste material\">Elimination of waste material<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/#protection-and-sustaining-and-overall-health\" title=\"Protection and Sustaining and Overall health\">Protection and Sustaining and Overall health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/#references\" title=\"References \">References <\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/#functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\" title=\"Functions of the Human Digestive System\">Functions of the Human Digestive System<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"digestion-and-absorption\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Digestion and Absorption<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Food&nbsp;and&nbsp;drink must be changed into smaller molecules&nbsp;of&nbsp;nutrients before the blood absorbs them&nbsp;and&nbsp;carries them to cells throughout the&nbsp;body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Digestion is the breakdown of food into small molecules, which are then absorbed into the body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It involves a series of organs, each with its own specialized functions that together convert food into essential nutrients that are absorbed into the body and utilized for different functions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The most essential nutrients include Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Carbohydrates are the body\u2019s main source of energy important for the functioning of the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and muscles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Proteins, along with growth and repair, preserve muscle mass, hormone production, enzyme production, enable a properly functioning immune system and provide energy if carbohydrates aren\u2019t available.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fat is used for cell membranes, energy, absorbing fat-soluble vitamins and supporting the internal organs functioning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vitamins and minerals are involved in forming energy, building protein, making collagen, protecting eyes, bones, skin, lungs, and intestines. Major minerals, or electrolytes, balance bodily fluids. Trace minerals perform various tasks such as carrying oxygen throughout the body, blood clotting, immune system and strengthening bones.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Water is important for keeping a normal body temperature, urination, bowel movements, sweating, protecting the spinal cord and providing a barrier for joints.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Thus, it is this digestive process that provides the building blocks the body needs to live, function, and to stay healthy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"elimination-of-waste-material\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Elimination of waste material<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">During the digestion process, chyme passes from the small intestine through the ileocecal valve and into the cecum of the large intestine.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Any remaining nutrients and some water are absorbed as peristaltic waves move the chyme into the ascending and transverse colons.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This dehydration, combined with peristaltic waves, helps compact the chyme. The solid waste formed is called feces.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It continues to move through the descending and sigmoid colons. &nbsp;The large intestine temporarily stores the feces prior to elimination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The body expels waste products from digestion through the rectum and anus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This helps to get rid of the solid or semisolid remains of the food that could not be digested or absorbed in the intestines.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"protection-and-sustaining-and-overall-health\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Protection and Sustaining and Overall health<\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">According to clinical assistant professors of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, the gastrointestinal system is more than the body\u2019s primary site of taking in and absorbing nutrients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This system of critical digestive organs also acts as a type of switchboard or communication center to and from the brain, and functions as one of the body\u2019s frontlines in the fight against the disease.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The acid and enzymes in the stomach work to sterilize the food taken in and, in this way, protect the body from illness and infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In addition, the digestive tract is an important source of immune function in the body. All foods we eat are in communication with immune receptors in the digestive tract, triggering hormones and various cell types that help the body with its immune function.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It further aids in immune function through the presence of Peyer\u2019s patches which are large oval clusters or nodules of lymphoid tissue that are found on the wall of the small intestine.&nbsp; Peyer\u2019s patches help to monitor the lining of the gut and, when necessary, generate an immune response, producing antibodies that will fight rogue antigens and allergy-causing substances.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The digestive system is the home of the \u201cgut microbiome\u201d\u2014a diverse community of different bacteria types that play a vital role in both fighting disease and maintaining our health.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"references\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>References <\/strong><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Waugh, A., &amp; Grant, A. (2009). Ross and Wilson: Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. (11th edition). Churchill Livingstone<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/7041-the-structure-and-function-of-the-digestive-system<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">http:\/\/www.ibdclinic.ca\/what-is-ibd\/digestive-system-and-its-function\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/22367-digestive-system.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/22367-digestive-system.html<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">https:\/\/med.nyu.edu\/medicine\/gastro\/about-us\/gastroenterology-news-archive\/your-gut-feeling-healthier-digestive-system-means-healthier<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">https:\/\/www.livestrong.com\/article\/355090-what-are-functions-of-proteins-carbohydrates-fats-water-vitamins-and-minerals\/<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">https:\/\/www.visiblebody.com\/learn\/digestive\/digestive-absorption-and-elimination<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Functions of the Human Digestive System<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. The digestive&nbsp;system is not only uniquely constructed to perform its specialized &#8230; <a title=\"Functions of The Human Digestive System\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/functions-of-the-human-digestive-system\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Functions of The Human Digestive System\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6190],"tags":[3521,3520,3522,3447,3450,3525,3523,3524],"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Functions-of-the-Human-Digestive-System.jpg","author":{"name":"Sagar Aryal","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/862472ea06500d4318f1ad82addb608e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"categories":[{"term_id":6190,"name":"Human Anatomy and Physiology","slug":"anatomy-and-physiology","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6190,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<strong>Human anatomy is the science that deals with the physical morphology and structure of the human body.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHuman anatomy is further divided into two groups; gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy involves study related to anatomical structures that can be seen with unaided eyes, while microscopic anatomy is the study of minute anatomical structures, histology, and cytology.\r\nHumans belong to the Subphylum Vertebrate of the Phylum Chordata as they have the characteristic internal skeleton with a backbone of vertebrae.\r\nOther typical mammalian structures in humans include hair, mammary glands, and highly developed sense organs.\r\nBesides, among mammals, humans have a predominantly two-legged (bipedal) posture, along with a highly developed intellectual.\r\nThe chemical composition of the human body is composed of water and organic compounds like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.\r\nThe human body is composed of specialized systems for different purposes; the digestive system for digestion, the respiratory system for respiration, the reproductive system for reproduction, and the skeletal and muscular system for movement.\r\nCells are the fundamental units of the human body consisting of trillions of cells in the body. The cells together form tissues.\r\nFour basic types of tissues are found in humans, each of which is specialized for a particular purpose; epithelial tissue for covering the body, muscular tissue for movement, nerve tissues for signaling, and connective tissue for transport of nutrients.\r\nThe following organization of the human body is organs. An organ is composed of a group of specialized tissues from a structural and functional unit.\r\nOrgans are followed by the system as the final organization of the human body. The body includes nine major organ systems, each composed of various organs and tissues that work together as a functional unit.\r\nInformation on human anatomy is essential during the analysis of signs of symptoms of different diseases and disease diagnoses.\r\nIt also allows an understanding of the relationship between different organ systems and the changes occurring in the body's anatomy during growth.\r\n\r\n<strong>Human physiology is a branch of natural science that deals with the functioning of the human body.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIt includes various physiological activities like digestion, respiration, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and excretion, all of which occur in a coordinated way between various organs and systems.\r\nPhysiology includes the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical, and biochemical functioning of a healthy human body.\r\nA normal human body works as a result of the regulated system of networking between different systems. These interactions work towards maintaining homeostasis.\r\nThe concept of homeostasis is important in human physiology as it explains that the internal environment of an organism moves in a direction to maintain an equilibrium.\r\nIn the human body, homeostasis is maintained at the system level with each system trying to maintain its homeostasis.\r\nHuman physiology, like human anatomy, describes the mechanisms from the molecular to the cellular level, integrating the working of the entire body.\r\nBased on the information obtained via studies done on human physiology, it is understood that the cells, tissues, organs, and systems together work to maintain a healthy human body.\r\nBesides, certain compounds or chemicals produced in the body like enzymes and hormones also aid in the process of human physiology.\r\nA slight change in the working of a single organ in the body might affect the working of the entire body overall.\r\nHuman physiology is closely related to human anatomy where the anatomy of an organ or tissue plays a significant role in the physiology of the said organ or tissue.\r\nHuman physiology is also interrelated with clinical medicine and microbiology where different microorganisms found within the body aid in different processes like bacteria in the gut producing acid and other enzymes that aid in digestion.\r\nDuring the life cycle of humans, the body undergoes multiple changes which are influenced by changes in anatomy and changes in environmental factors.\u00a0 The physiology of the body thus adapts to such changes to maintain homeostasis.","parent":0,"count":73,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6190,"category_count":73,"category_description":"<strong>Human anatomy is the science that deals with the physical morphology and structure of the human body.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nHuman anatomy is further divided into two groups; gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy involves study related to anatomical structures that can be seen with unaided eyes, while microscopic anatomy is the study of minute anatomical structures, histology, and cytology.\r\nHumans belong to the Subphylum Vertebrate of the Phylum Chordata as they have the characteristic internal skeleton with a backbone of vertebrae.\r\nOther typical mammalian structures in humans include hair, mammary glands, and highly developed sense organs.\r\nBesides, among mammals, humans have a predominantly two-legged (bipedal) posture, along with a highly developed intellectual.\r\nThe chemical composition of the human body is composed of water and organic compounds like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.\r\nThe human body is composed of specialized systems for different purposes; the digestive system for digestion, the respiratory system for respiration, the reproductive system for reproduction, and the skeletal and muscular system for movement.\r\nCells are the fundamental units of the human body consisting of trillions of cells in the body. The cells together form tissues.\r\nFour basic types of tissues are found in humans, each of which is specialized for a particular purpose; epithelial tissue for covering the body, muscular tissue for movement, nerve tissues for signaling, and connective tissue for transport of nutrients.\r\nThe following organization of the human body is organs. An organ is composed of a group of specialized tissues from a structural and functional unit.\r\nOrgans are followed by the system as the final organization of the human body. The body includes nine major organ systems, each composed of various organs and tissues that work together as a functional unit.\r\nInformation on human anatomy is essential during the analysis of signs of symptoms of different diseases and disease diagnoses.\r\nIt also allows an understanding of the relationship between different organ systems and the changes occurring in the body's anatomy during growth.\r\n\r\n<strong>Human physiology is a branch of natural science that deals with the functioning of the human body.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIt includes various physiological activities like digestion, respiration, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and excretion, all of which occur in a coordinated way between various organs and systems.\r\nPhysiology includes the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical, and biochemical functioning of a healthy human body.\r\nA normal human body works as a result of the regulated system of networking between different systems. These interactions work towards maintaining homeostasis.\r\nThe concept of homeostasis is important in human physiology as it explains that the internal environment of an organism moves in a direction to maintain an equilibrium.\r\nIn the human body, homeostasis is maintained at the system level with each system trying to maintain its homeostasis.\r\nHuman physiology, like human anatomy, describes the mechanisms from the molecular to the cellular level, integrating the working of the entire body.\r\nBased on the information obtained via studies done on human physiology, it is understood that the cells, tissues, organs, and systems together work to maintain a healthy human body.\r\nBesides, certain compounds or chemicals produced in the body like enzymes and hormones also aid in the process of human physiology.\r\nA slight change in the working of a single organ in the body might affect the working of the entire body overall.\r\nHuman physiology is closely related to human anatomy where the anatomy of an organ or tissue plays a significant role in the physiology of the said organ or tissue.\r\nHuman physiology is also interrelated with clinical medicine and microbiology where different microorganisms found within the body aid in different processes like bacteria in the gut producing acid and other enzymes that aid in digestion.\r\nDuring the life cycle of humans, the body undergoes multiple changes which are influenced by changes in anatomy and changes in environmental factors.\u00a0 The physiology of the body thus adapts to such changes to maintain homeostasis.","cat_name":"Human Anatomy and Physiology","category_nicename":"anatomy-and-physiology","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40875"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40875\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/microbenotes.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}