Know Stomach Functions Here

Being a part of the digestive system, the function of the stomach is very important. The nutrients in the food and drinks you consume will enter the stomach, be processed, and temporarily stored before being circulated throughout the body.

As part of the digestive system, the stomach is a muscular organ that resembles the letter J, located on the left side of the upper abdomen, and its size can vary from person to person.

The hull is connected by two channels at both ends. The upper end of the stomach is connected to the esophagus or esophagus, which is a tube-like tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. The area where the esophagus turns into the stomach is called the gastroesophageal valve.

While the lower end is connected to the small intestine, which is an organ that resembles a tube, extending from the end of the stomach to the large intestine. The part of the small intestine that is directly connected to the stomach is called the duodenum.

Important Part of Stomach

This balloon-shaped organ consists of five important parts, namely:

  • Cardiac which functions to prevent stomach contents from entering the esophagus again.
  • The fundus is the part of the stomach that usually contains air that enters when you swallow. In this section the stomach produces pepsinogen which will be converted into pepsin (a protein-digesting enzyme).
  • The body of the stomach is the part where food begins to be processed and digested. This is where stomach acid is produced.
  • The antrum is the lower part of the stomach close to the duodenum. Here the food will be processed and mixed with gastric juices. Furthermore, the food will be stored temporarily before being pushed into the duodenum.
  • The pylorus is the final part of the stomach, which is connected to the small intestine. Here there is a valve that serves to prevent food in the duodenum from returning to the stomach.

In addition to consisting of five important parts, the stomach has several layers that make up its walls, namely:

  • The innermost layer of the stomach is the mucosa. Here, gastric juices and digestive enzymes are made.
  • The next layer is the submucosal layer. This layer is composed of connective tissue that contains blood vessels, lymph nodes, and nerve cells.
  • The outer layer is called the muscularis propria or muscle tissue, which is the layer that covers the submucosa.
  • While the outermost layer of the stomach organ is the serosa, the fibrous membrane that covers the outside of the stomach.

Checking Stomach Function

The function of the stomach is very important to your digestive system. Because, in this organ food will be processed and processed in such a way that later the nutrients from food can be absorbed by the body.

Following are the three main functions of the stomach:

  • Accommodating food

    When you eat, food that enters your mouth passes through your throat and esophagus when you swallow it. Furthermore, the incoming food will be stored temporarily, which is about two hours or more, in the stomach.

  • Breaking, processing and processing food

    In the stomach there is gastric acid which functions to break down food. In addition, there are strong muscles, which function to stir food with gastric juices so that it is digested evenly. Gastric acid and digestive enzymes are produced by glands in the stomach wall. Digestive enzymes are needed to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into smaller molecules, so they are easily absorbed by the body. In addition to breaking down food, stomach acid or hydrochloric acid also plays a role in killing bacteria that enter along with food.

  • Pushes and passes food to the intestines

    After the food is processed and processed, the stomach muscles will then contract to push the finished food into the duodenum, through a valve at the lower end of the stomach called the pylorus. This valve functions to prevent food that has entered the duodenum from rising back up to the stomach.

Not all of the food or drink you consume can enter and be processed by the stomach. A person may experience vomiting after consuming something that is considered harmful to the body, such as toxins or bacteria that cause food poisoning. In addition, diseases of the stomach, such as gastritis and stomach ulcers, can also cause vomiting and disrupt gastric function.

If you experience disturbances in the function of your stomach, don't hesitate to immediately consult a doctor so that he can be given the right treatment.