Digestive System Functions
Digestion
Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food to prepare it for absorption
Absorption
Passage molecules of food through mucous membrane of small intestine and into blood and lymph for distribution to cells
Deglutination
Swallowing; moving food from mouth to pharynx and into esophagus
Mastication
chewing food which pulverizes into and mixes it with saliva
Defecation
discharge of indigestible wastes (feces) from GI tract
Functions of Digestive System (7)
ingestion, mastication, deglutination, digestion, absorption, peristalsis, defecation
Peristalsis
rhythmic wavelike contractions of smooth muscle of intestines that move food through GI tract
Ingestion
taking of food into mouth