Functions of the organs in alimentary canal

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*What are the functions of the gall bladder?

The gallbladder is a small, hollow organ located beneath the liver where bile is stored and concentrated before it is released into the small intestine. It receives and stores bile, produced by the liver, via the common hepatic duct, and releases it via the common bile duct into the duodenum, where the bile helps in the digestion of fats.

*What are the functions of the pancreas?


The pancreas is a glandular organ in the digestive system and endocrine system located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach. It is an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide, all of which circulate in the blood.

*What are the functions of the duodenum? The small intestine consists of three segments: duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Every segment of the small intestine performs different digesting functions. The duodenum is involved in breaking down the food and absorption of nutrients The duodenum continues the process of digestion of food that begins in the stomach. Its main function is to receive the chyme which is a combination of partially digested food and stomach acids. The chyme is released into the duodenum through pylorus, which is a small valve located between the stomach and the duodenum. The duodenum accepts the chyme from the stomach and continues the digestion. This is done with the help of digestive enzymes and intestinal juices secreted by the crypts in the intestinal wall. Also, the duodenum receives bile drained from the liver and gallbladder and pancreatic juice secreted by the pancreas. These secretions aid in digestion of food.


Apart from digesting foods, the duodenum regulates the rate of gastric emptying. Gastric emptying represents stomach from emptying which is the process of food going stomach to the duodenum. The duodenum also triggers the hunger signals. Both of these functions are performed with the help of hormones that are produced and released by the duodenal epithelium. Duodenal epithelium includes the cells that secrete two hormones known as secretin and cholecystokinin. When excess acid is present in small intestine or duodenum, hormone secretin is released. On the other hand, cholecystokinin is released in the presence of fatty acids and amino acids. Both secretin and cholecystokinin encourage secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. Finally, duodenum absorbs the nutrients and it does it even more than the stomach. Because of that, in obese people, the duodenum is frequently bypassed in gastric bypass surgery to decrease the absorption of nutrients

*What are the functions of the stomach ?


The stomach’s main roles: Food storage Acidic breakdown of swallowed food Sends mixture on to the next phase in the small intestine

*What are the functions of the small intestine?


. Function of the Small Intestine Segmentations mix chyme with digestive juices and bring food into contact with mucosa for absorption; peristalsis propels chyme through small intestine. Completes digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids; begins and completes digestion of nucleic acids. Absorbs about 90% of nutrients and water that pass through digestive system

*What are the functions of the ileum?


Function of the Ileum The ileum is one of the parts of the small intestine, the others being duodenum and jejunum. The ileocecal valve separates the ileum from the cecum. Though the jejunum and the ileum are parts of the small intestine, anatomically they have a slight difference. The ileum, which is approximately 7.5 feet long, is smaller than the jejunum and has a lighter shade. As mentioned earlier, the primary function is to absorb the nutrients from the chyme, or digested food. This is done with the help of villi, which are finger-like projections found in the inner wall. There are lymph vessels called lacteals in the villi which absorbs fat in the lymphatic system. This digested fat is then drained into the bloodstream, which is transported along with other nutrients, to the liver through the hepatic portal vein. Detoxification takes place and the nutrients are assimilated by the body. Another important function is to absorb vitamin B12. Proteins and peptides are broken down into amino acids in the ileum. Breaking down of carbohydrates into simple sugars, and lipids into glycerol and fatty acids to be easily absorbed by the body is also one of the functions. This is possible due to the enzymes produced by the cells in the ileum lining.


The terminal ileum is the last portion of the small intestine anatomy. This part of these small intestine absorbs bile salts that are produced by the liver.

*What are the functions of the large intestine?

Function of Large Intestine Parts of the Large Intestine & Their Functions. There are many parts of the large intestine that each help it to function properly. ... Large Intestine: Problems and Dysfunction. ... Other More Serious Problems & Conditions. ...


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