Digestive System

1. Function

1.1. breaks down food to turn into nutrients

2. Structure

2.1. accessory organs: teeth, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas.

2.2. Mouth

2.3. pharynx: throat

2.4. esophagus: long narrow. Food passes through and into the stomach.

2.5. stomach: holds our food.

2.5.1. creates liquid substance called chyme

2.6. small intestine: chyme enters small intestine through the pyloric sphincter.

2.6.1. Jejunum: absorption happens here.

2.7. Large intestine:

2.7.1. cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, anus.

3. Effects of Aging

3.1. difficulty chewing and swallowing

3.1.1. missing teeth, dentures don't fit right, stroke, mouth malformations.

3.2. increased risk for constipation