ingerição

Ingerition refers to the act of taking substances into the body through the mouth. This process is a fundamental aspect of sustenance for most living organisms, allowing for the intake of nutrients, water, and other essential compounds. The journey of ingested material begins in the oral cavity, where it is often mechanically broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva. Saliva aids in lubrication and can initiate the chemical digestion of certain molecules.

Following mastication and swallowing, the ingested substance travels down the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, it is further processed by digestive enzymes and stomach acid. This acidic environment helps to break down complex food particles and kill potential pathogens. From the stomach, the semi-digested material moves into the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. Here, enzymes from the pancreas and intestinal wall, along with bile from the liver, facilitate the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into smaller, absorbable units.

These absorbable nutrients then pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream or lymphatic system, where they are transported to cells throughout the body. Undigested material and waste products continue into the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and the remaining waste is compacted before elimination from the body. The entire process of ingestion and subsequent digestion is a complex and coordinated series of mechanical and chemical events essential for life.