Introduction

Introduction



Section contents



18. The digestive system 249

19. The liver, biliary system and pancreas 271

20. Nutrition 279

21. Digestion and metabolism 293

22. Fluid balance and the urinary system 299


Section introduction


Most of this section is concerned with the digestive tract and its associated organs. The digestive tract runs from the mouth to the rectum and is responsible for the ingestion, mixing and mechanical breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Ultimately, those contents of our food that are not absorbed are expelled at the rectum.


The organs associated with digestion are the liver, the pancreas and the gallbladder and these produce and store secretions which are released into the digestive tract and which facilitate the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food. The latter process is called digestion and this prepares food for absorption and subsequent involvement in metabolism. The main features of metabolism are considered.


While it is not anatomically linked to the digestive system, the main function of the urinary system is relevant here as it is responsible for ridding the body of excess toxic substances. Principally these are expelled in urine in the form of urea. The urinary system also responds to changing levels of fluid in the body and can, thereby, conserve water or expel excess water.

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Related posts:

  1. The liver, biliary system and pancreas
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Jul 18, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Introduction

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