Digestive System

The digestive system is a group of organs that break down and absorb food so that the nutrients can be used for energy and for building and repairing cells and tissues.American Medical Association: Digestive system

1. Mouth: Digestion beginsNational Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Your Digestive System and How It Works
2. Esophagus: Moves food from the back of your throat to your stomachKidsHealth4: Digestive System
3. Stomach: Muscles in the walls of the stomach and gastric juices break food into small piecesKidsHealth4: Digestive System
4. Small intestines: Break down the food even more so your body can absorb all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fatsKidsHealth4: Digestive System
5. Liver: Filters out harmful substances or wastesKidsHealth4: Digestive System
6. Pancreas: Produces enzymes that are important for digestionKidsHealth4: Digestive System
7. Gallbladder: Produces bile that emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested foodKidsHealth4: Digestive System
8. Large intestines: Push the fecal matter into the rectumKidsHealth4: Digestive System

Several factors impact the health of the digestive system, including diet, lifestyle, stress, medications and disease.Gastroenterological Society of Australia: The Digestive System

Some common digestive problems are: irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux, Crohn's disease, indigestion, ulcers and diarrhea.Gastroenterological Society of Australia: Digestive System Disorders

• Google Books: Digestive System Books

• Google Books: The Digestive System

• Amazon.com: Guts: Our Digestive System

• American Gastroenterological Association: Current Research

• Google Scholar: Digestive System Books and Articles

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