Overview of deglutition and digestion

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract, also defined as the digestive tract, or alimentary tract, is a system in the body designed to take in food and liquids, decrease and modify the food through mechanical and chemical digestion to absorb the end products through the mucosal epithelial cells that line the intestine, primarily in the small intestine. Swallowing refers to the functions of the oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal regions that begin the process of ingestion and digestion, and transport the food to the stomach where the bolus is transformed into chyme that is further broken down in the stomach and the small intestine. Accessory organs work with the digestive tract and include the tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. The final products eliminated contain mostly fiber and bacteria.