Stomach Digestive Functions
The stomach is a muscular organ located in the upper abdomen. It is an important part of the digestive system, as it mechanically breaks down food using muscular contractions and mixes it with digestive enzymes. The stomach also plays a role in the absorption of certain nutrients and medications.
The inside of the stomach is lined with glandular tissue that produces stomach acid and enzymes that help to break down food. The stomach acid also helps to kill any harmful bacteria or viruses that may be present in the food. After being mechanically and chemically broken down in the stomach, the partially digested food is passed into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption.
In addition to its role in digestion, the stomach also helps to regulate the rate at which food is passed into the small intestine. This allows the body to extract as much nutrients as possible from the food we eat.
Problems with the stomach, such as ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease , ca