ALIMENTARY SYSTEM Meaning and
Definition
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The alimentary system, also known as the digestive system, is a group of organs and structures in the body that work together to process and absorb nutrients, as well as eliminate waste products. It enables the body to break down food and convert it into energy, essential for growth, maintenance, and overall bodily functions.
At its core, the alimentary system consists of several key components. It starts with the mouth, where digestion begins through the process of chewing and saliva production. From there, the food travels down the esophagus and into the stomach, a muscular organ that further breaks down the food using digestive enzymes and acids.
After the stomach, the partially digested food enters the small intestine, a tube-like structure lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi. These villi increase the surface area and facilitate the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, which are then transported throughout the body.
The remaining undigested material moves into the large intestine, where water and electrolytes are absorbed, and any remaining waste products are formed into stool. Finally, the waste passes through the rectum and is eliminated from the body through the anus.
In summary, the alimentary system is a sophisticated network of organs that work harmoniously to process food, extract essential nutrients, and eliminate waste. It plays a vital role in maintaining the body's energy levels, overall health, and proper function of bodily systems.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ALIMENTARY SYSTEM
- zlimentary system
- slimentary system
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- alomentary system
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Etymology of ALIMENTARY SYSTEM
The word "alimentary" originates from the Latin term "alimentum", which means "nourishment" or "food". The addition of the suffix "-ary" turns the noun "alimentum" into an adjective, which indicates that the word is related to or associated with nourishment or food. Therefore, the term "alimentary" means "related to nourishment or food".
The word "system" has its roots in the Latin word "systema", which originated from the Greek word "sustēma". Both the Latin and Greek terms mean "organized whole" or "combined parts". In this context, the word "system" refers to a set of interconnected or interdependent parts that work together to perform a specific function.
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