Title: Digestive System - Function and Organs | Biology Dictionary
Headings: Digestive System
Digestive System
How Does the Digestive System Work?
Digestive System Function
Breaking Down Food
Regulating Digestive Secretions
Digestive System Organs
Mouth and Esophagus
Stomach
Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Diseases of the Digestive System
Quiz
1. Which of these organs contains the pyloric sphincter?
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Content: It secretes a large number of enzymes, involved in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Its proteases are secreted in their inactive form and initially activated through a membrane-bound enzyme in the duodenum called enteropeptidase. A few molecules of an activated enzyme can then create a cascade of active proteases. The pancreas also secretes amylases that digest carbohydrates, and lipases, phospholipases and cholesterol esterases that are involved in fat digestion and metabolism. Hormones secreted by the stomach as well as the intestine control pancreatic secretions. Pancreas Anatomy
Small Intestine
The small intestine is divided into three regions based on their function, even though they are largely similar from a histological standpoint. The first part of the small intestine is called the duodenum and is the shortest segment. It is curved and surrounds one end of the pancreas. It is separated from the stomach by the pyloric sphincter and receives gastric chyme in small quantities when the sphincter opens. The common bile duct and pancreatic ducts open into the duodenum, where the final stages of digestion occur – both due to pancreatic enzymes and membrane-bound intestinal enzymes.