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In this article, we would discuss the accessory organs and diseases of the human digestive system.
Accessory Organs of the digestive system
1. Liver: It is the largest glandular organ that weighs about three pounds and performs multiple critical functions to keep the body free from toxins and other harmful substances. Its main role in the digestive system is to secrete bile. Bile is a greenish brown alkaline fluid that is stored in the gall bladder. It mostly comprises water, bile acids (also known as bile salts), bilirubin (breakdown product of old RBCs destroyed by liver), fats (cholesterol) and inorganic salts (like potassium and sodium). Bile emulsifies fats i.e. it helps in breaking down fats, thereby making its absorption into the small intestine easy.
2. Pancreas: It secretes a variety of digestive enzymes that facilitate breakdown of food molecules. Pancreas also plays a major role in regulation of sugar levels. Pancreatic juice helps in digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins while the enzymes (insulin and glucagon) regulate the amount of blood sugar released by islets of Langerhans.
3. Gall bladder: It is a small sac-like organ located just below the liver. Its function is to store the bile produced by the liver. On receiving signals, bile is released into the duodenum.
Diseases of the digestive system
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): It is a digestive disorder that affects the lower sphincter muscle (LES) located between oesophagus and stomach. Normally, after passage of food into stomach the LES closes to prevent the backflow of food into oesophagus. However, due to GERD the LES relaxes inappropriately or weakens causing the food to enter back and leave a bitter taste in the mouth. Heartburn or acid indigestion are very common due to GERD. Lifestyle and dietary changes are recommended to treat GERD. Beverages, spicy food, citrus fruits and tomato products that can further weaken the lining of LES should be avoided.
2. Jaundice: Often seen in liver disease and liver cancer, it is a condition characterised by yellowish pigmentation of the skin, especially palms, feet and sclera (white portion of the eye). The yellowing is caused due to overproduction of bilirubin, which is a result of inflammation of liver/ inflammation of the bile duct/ hemolytic anaemia (accelerated breakdown of RBCs)/cholestasis (interruption of bile flow from liver). Pathological tests are conducted to detect high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Treatment of jaundice depends on the underlying cause, e.g. blood transfusions in case of hemolytic anaemia and use of antibiotics in case of infection of the liver.
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