Learn more about how your digestive system works and how it performs the essential task of breaking down and absorbing the food and fluids you consume each day.

What is the stomach? The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of enzymes and …

Your vagal nerves play key roles in helping your body manage involuntary functions like heart rate, breathing and digestion. Damage to your vagal nerves can cause digestive problems like gastroparesis.

It could be called your “automatic” nervous system, as it’s responsible for many functions that you don’t have to think about to control. This can include control of your heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, …

Chances are, you don’t think about your pancreas much unless you develop a condition that affects its function. Tucked away in the back of your belly, your pancreas is like a factory with two production …

Jun 3, 2025 · Function What do salivary glands do? Your salivary glands’ main job is to make lots of saliva (spit). Consider this: if you’re an adult, your salivary glands make about one to two liters (one …

Jun 15, 2022 · Parasympathetic nervous system: This part of your autonomic nervous system does the opposite of your sympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the “rest-and-digest” …

Apr 25, 2022 · Your integumentary system plays a role in helping other systems maintain their functions. For example, it helps your immune system because it’s the first line of defense against bacteria and …

Digestive tract (stomach and small intestine): Your digestive tract is the largest endocrine-related organ system. It makes and releases several hormones that play a role in your metabolism.

Apr 29, 2021 · The spleen is a small organ that stores and filters blood. As part of the immune system, it also makes blood cells that protect you from infection.