Page 48 - @ccess 1 Reader´s Book

HEALTHY MIND IN A HEALTHTY BODY

dissolve stomach contents while neutralizing potentially
harmful bacteria. There are two ring-like sphincter muscles
which seal in the chyme (a mushy paste) for several hours
before releasing it in short spurts into the duodenum.

The small intestine consists of three sections. The first the
duodenum, protects the intestinal lining from the acid found
in the chyme by generating large amounts of mucus. With
a length of about 20 feet (6 meters), the small intestine
is where the major digestion and absorption of nutrients
take place. The nutrients extracted are released into the
bloodstream with the help of millions of tiny, fingerli e
protrusions called villi. The nutrients are then sent to the liver.

Next, anything left in the digestive track passes into the large
intestine. There, it’s eaten by billions of harmless bacteria.
Solid feces are formed when it’s combined with dead cells.
Any water present is reabsorbed into the body and the feces
travel into the rectum to await excretion.
gallbladder
page 85
Key Players Glossary on
The liver, gallbladder, and pancreasare other
organs that play a major role in digestion. Behind the
Stomach

Liver
Esophagus
Pancreas
Large intestine

Small intestine

Rectum

Reader's Book 47