Medindia Hospitals ( A Super Specialty Institution for Digestive Diseases and Allied Multispeciality Hospital )

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Health Desk

NORMAL ANATOMY AND BASIC FUNCTIONS OF DIGESTIVE ORGANS

FOOD PIPE (ESOPHAGUS)
Swallowed food is propelled through this food pipe into the stomach. Any malfunctions of this food pipe results in difficulty in swallowing and pain during swallowing.

STOMACH
Stomach secretes hydrochloric acid. This acid is necessary for digestion and killing the unwanted germs. Stomach grinds solid food into semisolid form. This facilitates easy digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Stomach disorders present with acidity, ulcer, pain and vomiting.

SMALL INTESTINE
Small intestine which measures 6-8 feet, digests the food and absorbs the nutrients like glucose, protein, iron and vitamins, and transfers it to blood circulation. Through blood, entire body is nourished. Any aliment of small intestine results in defective digestion, pain and ill health.

LARGE INTESTINE
Large intestine helps to absorb water from undigested matter received from small intestine and the undigested matter is expelled as faeces (motion).

LIVER, GALL BLADDER AND BILE DUCT
Liver is a vital organ for digestion. It synthesizes protein, it detoxifies various toxins including drugs. It stores various nutrients. It secretes bile. Hence, it is rightly called the metabolic factory of body. Bile secreted by liver is brought by the biliary passages and stored in the gall bladder and when required is released to the small intestine through the bile duct. If liver is affected, it will manifest as follows.

      Jaundice
      Loss of appetite
      Loss of weight
      Pain
      Swelling of abdomen and legs
      Gall stones and cancers that block the biliary passages.
      Such individuals will present with pain, fever, jaundice.

PANCREAS
Pancreas is situated in back of abdomen. It is an important organ for digestion of fat. It is a prime organ for maintenance of blood sugar levels. Any defect in pancreas will manifest as uncontrollable pain in the abdomen and raised blood sugar levels.

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