Digestive system
15 questions tagged Digestive system — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Why do our stomachs make loud growling noises?
The noises come from movement of gas and liquid through the intestines. They are strongest when the gut is empty and contracting rhythmically.
When was the first successful human bowel transplant performed?
The first successful human small-intestine transplant was performed in 1987.
Where is the pancreas located?
The pancreas is in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach and near the duodenum. It lies across the back of the abdominal cavity.
Where is the appendix located?
The appendix is attached to the beginning of the large intestine in the lower right abdomen. It extends from the cecum.
Where is the cecum located?
The cecum is in the lower right abdomen at the start of the large intestine. It joins the small intestine to the colon.
Where is the liver located?
The liver is in the upper right part of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm. It is the body’s largest internal organ.
Which is the largest salivary gland in the human body?
The parotid gland is the largest salivary gland in the human body. It sits near the ear and helps produce saliva for digestion and mouth protection.
Which is the longest part of the human digestive tract?
The small intestine is the longest part of the human digestive tract, typically about 6 meters long in adults. It is the main site of digestion and nutrient absorption.
Whose discovery first described the mucus barrier in the stomach?
William Beaumont studied digestion through a gastric fistula in the 1820s. His observations helped show that the stomach is protected by mucus while digesting food.
Whose discovery first described the villi of the small intestine?
William Hunter and later anatomists described intestinal villi. These tiny fingerlike projections massively increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.
How does the liver process nutrients and medicines?
The liver processes absorbed nutrients, stores energy, makes bile, and breaks down many drugs and toxins. It is the body's largest internal organ.
Whose name is attached to the folds in the lining of the small intestine that increase absorption?
The intestinal villi are tiny finger-like projections that increase the surface area for nutrient absorption.
How many segments does the human colon have?
The human colon is commonly described in 4 main segments: ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid. These sections help move and process waste before it reaches the rectum.
How many lobes does the human liver have?
The human liver has 4 anatomical lobes. Functionally, it is often described as having 2 main lobes divided into larger right and left sections.
How many parts does the small intestine have?
The small intestine has 3 parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Despite its name, it is the longest part of the digestive tract.