MEPX
Chapter 8 of 14All chapters
  1. 1How the body is organised
  2. 2Cells and tissues
  3. 3The skeleton
  4. 4Muscles
  5. 5Heart and circulation
  6. 6Blood
  7. 7Lungs and breathing
  8. 8Digestion
  9. 9Kidneys and liver
  10. 10The nervous system
  11. 11The brain
  12. 12Hormones
  13. 13Skin and senses
  14. 14The immune system

Chapter 8 of 14

Digestion

From mouth to bloodstream.

The route

Chewing and saliva start the process, the stomach breaks food down with acid and churning, and the small intestine absorbs almost all of the nutrients.

  • The small intestine lining is folded into villi, giving an enormous surface area.
  • The large intestine mainly reclaims water before waste leaves.

Helpers

The pancreas supplies enzymes, the liver makes bile to break up fats, and the gallbladder stores it. Gut bacteria finish work the body cannot do alone.