Seedeelundid

Seedeelundid, or digestive organs, form the digestive system responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. They include the digestive tract itself and several accessory organs that produce enzymes and bile to aid digestion. In humans, the main components are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, with the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder playing crucial supporting roles. The digestive tract begins with the mouth, where mechanical chewing and chemical saliva start the process. Food then travels down the esophagus through peristaltic movements to the stomach, where stomach acid and enzymes further break down nutrients. The small intestine is the primary site of digestion and absorption, consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes and forms solid waste, which is excreted through the rectum.

Accessory organs contribute essential substances: the liver (maksa) produces bile, the gallbladder (sapipõis) stores and concentrates it, and the pancreas (kõhunääre) releases digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the small intestine. Digestion involves both mechanical and chemical processes, regulated by nervous system signals and hormones, ensuring enzymes are released at the right time and location. Nutrient absorption mainly occurs in the small intestine, with water absorption and stool formation occurring in the large intestine. Seedeelundid are essential for energy provision, growth, and overall metabolism, and their function is a central focus of anatomy and physiology in health and disease.