The digestive tract is several organs. These are responsible for the absorption, digestion and utilization of food and fluid. Different diseases can affect the function of the system and sometimes cause severe discomfort.
What is the digestive tract?
The digestive tract can be differentiated into different sections and organs. It starts already in the mouth, where food is decomposed with saliva by chewing movements and salivary glands. This process represents the first step of digestion. Saliva contains enzymes that break down carbohydrates and other substances into smaller elements already in the oral cavity. The mouth and pharynx are followed by the esophagus, which in turn leads to the stomach. After the food has spent some time in the stomach, the body passes it on to the intestines. The absorption of components such as vitamins and minerals ultimately takes place in the intestines. At the same time, the different parts of the intestine are also responsible for other tasks. Every living being needs a functioning digestive tract. This is the only way to ensure that the organism is supplied with energy and important nutrients. Complaints and diseases in the area of the stomach and intestines often lead to severe symptoms. That is why a speedy visit to the doctor is usually inevitable.
Anatomy and structure
Food first enters the mouth. Important elements of the digestive tract here represent teeth and saliva. After sufficient comminution has taken place, the food pulp enters the esophagus through the conscious swallowing process. This is a tube that connects the pharynx and stomach. Depending on the respective body size, the esophagus measures an average of 25 centimeters. It has natural constrictions in three regions and is unconsciously closed at the lower end by a muscle to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus and damaging the mucosa. The stomach has a capacity of about 1.5 liters. It is considered an extension of the digestive tract and continues the work that has already begun in the mouth through saliva. Decisive for the function of the stomach are mainly the mucous membrane and the gastric juice, which is produced by the cells of the mucous membrane. As soon as the organ has finished its task, the food pulp leaves the stomach in the direction of the intestines. During this process, emptying takes place in waves in smaller spurts. The intestine can be differentiated into various sections. These include the small intestine, large intestine and rectum. Digestion takes place in a close relationship with the pancreas. This produces enzymes, which in the further course enter the intestine and are there significantly involved in the decomposition of food.
Function and tasks
The function of the digestive tract is ultimately based on the utilization of ingested food. As part of several processes, food is broken down into small elements and these are made available to the body. On the one hand, the energy supply can be secured in this way, on the other hand, it is also about minerals, proteins and vitamins, which the human organism needs for various purposes. After the food has been crushed in the mouth and reached the stomach through the esophagus, the stomach is first used for storage. Gradually, the food pulp is mixed and broken down into even smaller elements. Here, gastric juice in particular plays an important role. Gastric acid is capable of eliminating pathogens and other undesirable substances that have been absorbed through food. Accordingly, it can be described as a disinfectant. It also ensures that proteins can be digested. With the help of enzymes, the stomach is able to break down complex proteins. The food pulp then passes into the intestine. Muscle movements throughout the digestive tract are responsible for transport. These occur in waves and are triggered without the conscious human will being able to control them. In the intestine, the food is finally broken down into such small components that they reach the cells via the bloodstream. The small intestine represents the longest part of the intestine. This is where carbohydrates, proteins and fats are broken down. Digestive enzymes, which are produced in the pancreas, are of particular importance in this process. The small intestine then ensures that the nutrients pass into the blood. In the large intestine, the remaining water is removed from the food pulp.
Diseases
A particularly common symptom affecting the digestive tract is abdominal pain. It is not a disease in its own right. Instead, they often indicate other existing medical conditions. Thus, the unpleasant sensations can be triggered by various factors. These include, for example, duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers, a food intolerance, appendicitis or biliary colic. Certain medications can also affect the digestive system as a side effect, causing pain. In appendicitis, the appendix of the appendix is affected first. Usually, such inflammation is followed by surgery with the goal of removing the appendix. Different inflammatory bowel diseases can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease is one example. In this case, the inflammation particularly frequently attacks the last loop of the small intestine. Outbreaks of the disease occur at different intervals. To date, it is not possible to cure Crohn’s disease. Nevertheless, medication can provide relief. In gastritis, acute and chronic disease are differentiated. In most cases, it is a chronic course triggered by various factors. Bacteria and chemical-toxic elements can be mentioned here, for example. Constipation can limit the quality of life. Due to an intestinal obstruction, tumors or because of other conditions, bowel emptying or hard stools rarely occur. In this case, an accurate diagnosis of the causes is crucial to initiate appropriate therapy.
Typical and common diseases
- Gastric ulcer
- Inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis)
- Stomach flu
- Irritable stomach
- Stomach cancer
- Crohn’s disease (chronic inflammation of the intestine)
- Appendicitis