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Beginning CF Care — CF FACTS — THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

CF FACTS — THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

THE GI TRACT THE AND the through a series * takes place in the Two other organs found in the of tubes. When there is in gastrointestinal (GI) tract .* The * (belly) help with the small intestine, the GI tract is also called the digestive digestion: the pancreas * and the help break the food down so it tract. The GI tract is basically a liver .* The pancreas is an can be absorbed and used by the long tube that begins with the that sits in the upper abdomen body. The pancreas also produces and continues through the behind the . The pancreas * that helps the body use ,* stomach, small, and produces enzymes * or special ,* a sugar that comes from large intestines .* (The small and that break down * and the digestion of .* large intestines together are about * in food. These enzymes Insulin is released into blood that 25 feet long!) The GI tract ends at include ,* ,* and passes through the pancreas. the * and .* .* The enzymes pass into The liver is an organ that sits in the upper right side of the abdomen. The * is attached to the liver and helps store extra * fluid that is made by the liver. The liver and gallbladder are connected to the small intestine by a tube. The liver does many things for the body. Bile fluid is sent from the liver to the small intestine to help with digestion. The liver also helps Esophagus with digestion of nutrients * in the blood that passes through the liver. The liver helps break down certain medicines in the blood and is a filter that helps clean the blood. The liver stores some nutrients for later use. Like the , the liver has a lot of reserve function but it can fail if it is very damaged. Liver Stomach

Gallbladder Pancreas

Small Intestine (Colon )

Rectum

THE GASTROINTESTINAL (GI) TRACT

*See CF Words to Know Glossary. Family Education Program … 1 Beginning CF Care — CF FACTS — THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

THE STEPS IN DIGESTION digested it is broken down into When food is swallowed it passes water and tiny particles. These through the esophagus to the nutrients are the calories * of stomach. In the stomach, it mixes energy and materials the body’s with stomach or gastric fluid .* cells need to function. Nutrients Stomach fluid is made up of special pass through the lining of the that help break down food. small intestine into the blood - The stomach is a muscle that also stream. This is called absorption. churns the food to help it mix with Nutrients are carried in the blood the stomach and break down to all the cells of the body. They into smaller pieces. are used to keep the body’s cells running well. They are also used The food then passes into the to repair cells and for growth. small intestine. Most digestion takes place in the small intestine. Undigested food travels on to The liver sends bile fluid to the large intestine. Some water the small intestine to help with is absorbed in the large intestine digestion. The pancreas sends or colon .* * in the large special proteins called enzymes intestine help break down the food to digest fat and protein nutrients. as well. These good bacteria live in The small intestine itself has the intestines all the time and help enzymes that can break down digest food. some sugars and other nutrients. The leftover waste that cannot The small intestine breaks food be used by the body makes up a down into small particles and bowel movement * or stool. The chemicals that can be used by intestines have muscles that help the body. squeeze and move the bowel Absorption * is the other movement down the tube until important thing that happens it passes out of the body through in the intestines, especially in the the rectum and anus. small intestine. When food is

2 … Cystic Fibrosis Family Education Program *See CF Words to Know Glossary.