Tag: cholecystokinin

Explore the intricate world of digestive enzymes and hormones, crucial for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. This article delves into the functions of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and pancreas, detailing how specialized cells contribute to this vital process.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ tucked just beneath the liver, playing a crucial, albeit often overlooked, role in digestion. This anatomical diagram provides a clear illustration of its structure and its intricate connections within the biliary system, highlighting how bile, essential for fat digestion, is stored, concentrated, and released. Exploring its specific parts and their relationships to the hepatic ducts and liver offers invaluable insight into the digestive process and the potential origins of common gastrointestinal issues.

Explore the critical contributions of the accessory digestive organs—the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder—whose functions are indispensable for efficient digestion despite not being part of the alimentary canal. This article details their anatomical structures, including the lobes of the liver and the intricate duct systems, and explains their profound impact on nutrient breakdown and absorption, highlighting their vital role in maintaining overall digestive health.

Delve into the intricate cellular landscape of the small intestinal mucosa, where a diverse array of specialized cells orchestrates digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune defense. This article explores the unique functions of each cell type, from the primary absorptive cells to the enteroendocrine cells that regulate gastrointestinal activity, providing a comprehensive understanding of this vital digestive region.

Explore the fascinating process of gastric secretion, a meticulously coordinated physiological event crucial for digestion. This article breaks down the three distinct phases—cephalic, gastric, and intestinal—detailing how both stimulatory and inhibitory mechanisms regulate the production of gastric juice to optimize nutrient breakdown.