Human alimentary canal diagram

\( \newcommand\) • • • • Also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut, the alimentary canal (aliment- = “to nourish”) is a one-way tube about 7.62 meters (25 feet) in length during life and closer to 10.67 meters (35 feet) in length when measured after death, once smooth muscle tone is lost. The main function of the organs of the alimentary canal is to nourish the body. This tube begins at the mouth and terminates at the anus. Between those two points, the canal is modified as the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines to fit the functional needs of the body. Both the mouth and anus are open to the external environment; thus, food and wastes within the alimentary canal are technically considered to be outside the body. Only through the process of absorption do the nutrients in food enter into and nourish the body’s “inner space.” Accessory Structures Each accessory digestive organ aids in the breakdown of food (Figure \(\PageIndex\): Layers of the Alimentary Canal The wall of the alimentary canal has four basic tissue layers: the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa.(CC-BY-4.0, OpenStax, The Mouth The cheeks, tongue, and palate frame the mouth, which is also called the oral cavity (or buccal cavity). The structures of the mouth are illustrated in Figure \(\PageIndex\): Mouth The mouth includes the lips, tongue, palate, gums, and teeth.(CC-BY-4.0, OpenStax, The Pharynx The pharynx (throat) is involved in both digestion and respiration. It rec...

Alimentary Canal -Anatomy The process of breaking down of large food particles into smaller and water-soluble particles, which can be easily absorbed by the blood plasma is termed as digestion. All parts of the body are involved in the uptake and digestion of food along with the elimination of undigested material. What is the Alimentary Canal? The alimentary canal is mainly referred to as the pathway by which food enters our body and moves out through the anus after digestion. It is a tube-like structure which starts from the mouth and ends in the anus. The alimentary canal plays a primary role in human digestion and is also termed as the digestive tract. Organs of the Alimentary Canal The main organs of the alimentary canal are: • The Mouth and Oral cavity. • Oesophagus. • Stomach. • Small intestine. • Large intestine. The structure and functions of these organs are discussed below. Let’s learn in detail about various parts of the human digestive system. Mouth The mouth is the first part of our digestive system. Food is ingested through the mouth. Oral cavity The oral cavity comprises the palate, tongue and teeth. Palate – The roof of the oral cavity. Tongue – Muscular and glandular structure attached to the base of the oral cavity. The upper surface of the tongue has tiny projections known as lingual papillae. Lingual papillae are of three types: circumvallate, fungiform and filiform. Also Read: Teeth Humans are diphyodont i.e. they have two sets of teeth- milk or...

The alimentary canal is a major part of the digestive system. It is a continuous muscular tube which runs through the body and it is around 8 to 10 meters long. It is open at 2 ends, with the mouth at the anterior end and anus at the posterior end. The alimentary canal performs the function of digesting food. It breaks it down to smaller pieces and aids in the absorption of the digested food. The Alimentary Canal Consists of: • The Mouth The mouth is the part where the food enters the alimentary canal. It is the uppermost opening of the alimentary canal and is closed by the upper lip and lower lip. This is where ingestion of food begins. • Salivary Glands Saliva is produced by the salivary glands and is then released into the buccal cavity when we eat, smell or even think of food! When food enters the mouth, mastication (the process of chewing food) breaks the food into smaller particles, which in turn helps the enzymes in the saliva to act on the broken-down food. There are three main pairs of salivary glands: the submandibular, the parotid and the sublingual. During the process of mastication (chewing food) the food mixes with the saliva, the end result of the masticated food is known as a bolus. • Teeth In an adult, there are 32 teeth present in the buccal cavity. Our teeth help us in cutting down the food and grinding it. Incisors and canines (the front teeth) are used to cut and tear food, while the bicuspids and molars (the teeth further back) crush and grind, which ...

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: • Describe the organs of the alimentary canal from proximal to distal, and briefly state their function • Identify the accessory digestive organs and briefly state their function • Describe the four fundamental tissue layers of the alimentary canal and the function of each layer • Contrast the contributions of the enteric and autonomic nervous systems to digestive system functioning • Explain how the peritoneum anchors the digestive organs The function of the digestive system is to break down the foods you eat, release their nutrients, and absorb those nutrients into the body. Although the small intestine is the workhorse of the system, where the majority of digestion occurs, and where most of the released nutrients are absorbed into the blood or lymph, each of the digestive system organs makes a vital contribution to this process ( Figure 23.1.1 – Components of the Digestive System: All digestive organs play integral roles in the life-sustaining process of digestion. As is the case with all body systems, the digestive system does not work in isolation; it functions cooperatively with the other systems of the body. Consider for example, the interrelationship between the digestive and cardiovascular systems. Arteries supply the digestive organs with oxygen and processed nutrients, and veins drain the digestive tract. These intestinal veins, constituting the hepatic portal system, are unique in that they do...

"Just a spoonful of sugar... " goes the song. But what happens to that sugar once you swallow it? In fact, how is it that you are able to swallow it at all? Your What Is Digestion? Digestion is the complex process of turning the food you eat into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth and cell repair needed to survive. The digestion process also involves creating waste to be eliminated. The digestive tract (or gastrointestinal tract) is a long twisting tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the Food's Journey Through the Digestive System Stop 1: The Mouth The Once you start chewing and breaking the food down into pieces small enough to be digested, other mechanisms come into play. More saliva is produced. It contains substances including enzymes that begin the process of breaking down food into a form your body can absorb and use. Chew your food more -- it also helps with your digestion. Stop 2: The Pharynx and Esophagus Also called the throat, the pharynx is the portion of the digestive tract that receives the food from your mouth. Branching off the pharynx is the esophagus, which carries food to the The act of swallowing takes place in the pharynx partly as a reflex and partly under voluntary control. The The esophagus is a muscular tube extending from the pharynx and behind the trachea to the Just before the opening to the stomach is an important ring-shaped muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This sphincter opens to let food pass into the ...

Structure of the Digestive System What is the digestive system? Your digestive system is a network of organs that help you digest and absorb nutrition from your food. It includes your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and your biliary system. Your GI tract is a series of hollow organs that are all connected to each other, leading from your mouth to your anus. Your biliary system is a network of three organs that deliver bile and enzymes through to your GI tract your bile ducts. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract The organs that make up your GI tract, in the order that they are connected, include your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus. Biliary system Your biliary system includes your liver, gallbladder, pancreas and bile ducts. What does the digestive system do? Your digestive system is uniquely constructed to do its job of turning your food into the nutrients and energy you need to survive. And when it’s done with that, it handily packages your solid waste, or stool, for disposal when you have a bowel movement. Why is digestion important? Digestion is important because your body needs nutrients from the food you eat and the liquids you drink in order to stay healthy and function properly. Nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. Your digestive system breaks down and absorbs nutrients from the food and liquids you consume to use for important things like energy, growth and repairing cells. Anatomy What organs make ...