Anatomie van het maag-darmkanaal

The human digestive system is a complex network that breaks down food for energy.

It begins in the oral cavity, which comprises the lips, cheeks, teeth, and salivary glands, all surrounded by mucous membranes.

It also includes the soft palate, mouth floor, and tongue.

Food then travels through the pharynx, a muscular tube connecting the mouth with the nasal cavity, segmented into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

The journey continues down the esophagus, a muscular tube between the spine and the trachea. It is made up of four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis propria, and adventitia.

Food next enters the stomach, a J-shaped organ divided into the fundus, the body, and the antrum.

The path continues into the small intestine, which is 6 meters long and consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Then it progresses to the large intestine, about 5 feet in length, encircling the small intestine, comprising the cecum, ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colons, ending at the anus.

The accessory organs include the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.