The human digestive is fascinating and enables many organs to work in a flow. It has the function of absorbing nutrients, excreting waste, and assimilating sugars. These processes primarily initiate when we consume solids or liquids.
It may seem to you that your digestive system works only during ingestion. But that is far from the truth. That is because you use it throughout the day consistently. So while the system may seem complex to you, it isn't.
Here are all the details that you need to know about the digestive system.
- Large Quantity Of Saliva Is Produced Daily
The mouth is a part of the digestive system because we use it to churn the food. Our teeth allow us to grind large particles into small ones. This makes swallowing easier.
Besides that, salivary glands are also present in the mouth. They produce enzymes that assist in breaking down food. For efficient digestion, you make about 2 pints of saliva daily. This is roughly equal to two soda cans.
- Muscles Are Involved In Ingestion
The route that food has to pass to reach the stomach is relatively straightforward. Firstly, churning takes place in the mouth to turn various particles into a ball of food. Then this moves down the throat into the esophagus.
Within the esophagus, there are two types of muscles present. One of them contracts behind the ball of food. Meanwhile, the other relaxes ahead. This allows it to move down continuously and eventually reach the stomach. Peristalsis is the scientific name for this movement.
- Not All Organisms Have Same Digestive System
If you consider all living beings to have the same digestive system, you're mistaken. The structure and organs vary depending on the organism. For example, humans have one stomach for digestion and storage.
However, dolphins and cows have two stomachs. Meanwhile, platypuses have none. Not only that, but some living beings have four guts as well. That is why each mammal digests food by different mechanisms.
- Bacteria Lives In The Gut
You may be thinking that we are crazy to be saying this. But no, we aren't. Our digestive system contains bacteria. However, these are the good ones that do not cause us harm.
In fact, gut bacteria are beneficial. It produces some enzymes that are necessary for digestion. Besides that, they also prepare the immune system. However, you should note that when we are first born, we lack good bacteria.
- Small Intestine Is Longer
Intestines are tubes through which digested food moves from stomach to anus. In the human body, there are two intestines, small and large. While you may think that large will be longer, you're mistaken.
The small intestine is highly folded to increase the surface area for food absorption. So if you unfold it, it will be about 22 feet long. Meanwhile large intestine is only 6 feet long.
Final Words
That was your complete guide to the digestive system. It may seem complex at first. However, once you learn more about it, you will find it fascinating.