The process of digesting food is accomplished by many organs in the
body. Food is pushed by the esophagus into the stomach. The stomach
mixes the food and begins the breakdown of proteins. The stomach
propels the food then into the small intestine. The small intestine
further digests food and begins the absorption of nutrients.
Secretions from the pancreas in the small intestine help neutralize
the acid in the intestine to provide a proper environment for the
enzymes to function. Bile from the gallbladder and liver emulsify
fat and enhance the absorption of fatty acids. The large intestine
temporarily stores and concentrates the remainder until it is
passed out as waste from the body.
Review Date: 10/07/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason
Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA,
Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)