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Stomach |
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In the field of Medical Studies, the Human Digestive System is an important area of study. It is the system which helps in the digestion of food which is consumed by human beings. Digestion is important as it helps, it helps to release energy in the body. It is this energy which enables human beings to live and work. Stomach is one of the most important parts of the digestive system. The stomach is recognizably bean shaped. It is a hollow muscular organ. It forms a part of the gastrointestinal tract. The stomach has an active function. The next stage of the digestive process takes place in the stomach.
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The stomach lies between the esophagus and the duodenum. It is located to the left side of the abdominal cavity. The higher portion of the stomach lies closer to the diaphragm. Just below the stomach is the pancreas as well as the greater omentum.
It is the presence of two smooth muscular valves, which act like covers and help to hold the food once it has reached the stomach cavity. They prevent the food from spilling out. Once the food has been chewed it reaches the stomach via the canal called the esophagus. The stomach now takes over the function of further breaking down the food into smaller pieces to aid in the over all metabolic activity of the body.
Since the stomach plays such a major role in the body, it has to remain well protected which it is. This is as because the stomach is surrounded by the parasympathetic and the orthosympathetic plexuses. They help to regulate the secretion of digestive juices within the stomach. They aid in the movement of the stomach muscles. This enables in the smooth and effective functioning of the stomach.
The stomach has a highly acidic environment. This is due to the fact gastric acid secretion takes place in the stomach. This in combination with digestive juices helps in breaking down the food molecules into smaller units. Once this is accomplished by the stomach the digestive system is ready to take on the nest stage of digestion. Therefore the stomach acts as a temporary food storage unit.
The stomach reduces the food into smaller components which can easily be absorbed by the small intestine. The small intestine then takes over the digestive process into the next stage.
Pepsinogen is secreted by the chief cells present in the lining of the stomach. It is then transformed into active form Pepsin. This happens under low pH conditions. Pepsin then takes on the function of helping in the digestion of protein.
Absorption of Vitamin B12 from the small intestine is dependent on the conjugation of glycoprotein This glycoprotein is an intrinsic factor and is known as intrinsic factor. The stomach helps in the production of this intrinsic factor which goes on to help in the absorption of Vitamin 12. It is the
parietal cells of the stomach which help in the secretion of this all important glycoprotein.
The other important functions as of the stomach include the absorption of ions, water, some other lipid soluble compounds. These lipid soluble compounds include alcohol, aspirin and caffeine.
The stomach is an important organ in the human digestive system. We should always be alerts about any growing disorder and protect ourselves from any such malady which can overtake the stomach.
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