Get to grips with the digestive system!

We’ve all got guts. Around 25 feet of them, in fact. That’s a lot to get your head around!

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what your digestive system does but it seems too overwhelming to understand, we hear you. Fear not, we’re here to break down the digestive system and its vital role in the body into easy to understand, digestible chunks.

Every month, we’ll be sharing a news post that will help you to get to grips with your digestive system. You can find out what’s coming next at the end of this post but for now, let’s start with a summary of the digestive system.

What is the role of the digestive system?

The digestive system is made up of a series of organs, responsible for breaking down food and liquids into smaller molecules (the smallest particle of a substance) that the body can use for things such as energy, growth and repair.

What organs make up the digestive system?

The digestive system includes the:

• Mouth
• Oesophagus (also known as the food pipe)
• Stomach
• Small intestine
• Large intestine
• Rectum
• Anus

It also includes accessory organs, including the:

• Liver
• Gallbladder
• Pancreas

As well as our teeth, tongue and salivary glands helping in the process.

Accessory organs are organs that support the digestive system but are not part of the digestive tract itself (the long tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus).

We have free downloadable resources on the digestive system, including a labelled diagram, under the ‘What other resources do you have available?’ section, found here.

What’s next?

Next month, we’ll be getting to grips with the upper part of the digestive system, also known as the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

We’ll be sharing information about the organs within the upper part of the digestive system and the important roles they play.

Are you eager to learn more?

We have information about the digestive system and over 40 digestive conditions and symptoms, which can be found here. You can also follow us on social media by searching ‘gutscharityuk’ to learn more, keep up to date with the work we do and take part in vital awareness campaigns to help us spread the word that our guts deserve better. It’s time for the UK to get to grips with guts!

About Guts UK

Guts UK is the national charity for the digestive system. We are the only UK charity funding research into the whole digestive system.

People are suffering. People are dying. All because of a lack of knowledge about our guts. Guts UK exists to change that. 

With new knowledge, we will end the pain and suffering for the millions affected by digestive diseases. Please consider donating today. Your donation will help fund research leading to earlier diagnoses, kinder treatments and ultimately, a cure.