Human digestive system

The organs and tissues that ingest food, break it down, absorb nutrients and water, and eliminate undigested waste in humans.

Mastication: The mechanical breakdown of food by chewing with the teeth. Chewing begins physical digestion and mixes food with saliva.
Gastrointestinal tract: The continuous muscular tube running from the mouth to the anus. It is the main route food follows through the digestive system.
Endoscopy: A procedure that uses a flexible instrument with a camera to examine internal body passages. It lets clinicians inspect the upper digestive tract or colon directly.
Gut microbiota: The community of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract. These microbes transform some dietary compounds and interact with intestinal tissues.
Peristalsis: Wave-like contractions of smooth muscle that propel contents through hollow organs. These contractions move food along the esophagus and through the intestines.
Esophagus: A muscular tube that carries swallowed material from the throat to the stomach. It links swallowing to the stomach through coordinated contractions.
Colonoscopy: An examination of the colon and rectum using a flexible camera-equipped instrument. It detects colorectal abnormalities and can remove some precancerous growths.
Enteric nervous system: The network of neurons embedded in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. It coordinates digestive movement and secretion, with input from the brain.
Gastric acid: A hydrochloric-acid-rich secretion produced by the stomach lining. It creates the acidic conditions that help unfold proteins and activate pepsin.
Stomach: A muscular organ that stores food and mixes it with acid and digestive enzymes. It turns swallowed food into a fluid mixture for intestinal processing.

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