How is it that something as simple as a piece of steak can be transformed into fuel for our body once consumed? This happens through this unique system with many functional parts called the digestive system. The digestive system is very important for the human body. It gives our body the ability to process food, extract the nutrients we need and eliminate waste (smartlivingnetwork). Without these abilities, our body could not function. So, what exactly is the digestive system? It is a complex series of organs that process the food we eat. In total, this system represents approximately 6 to 9 meters of muscular tubes running from the mouth to the anus. According to Robert Sullivan, the organs of this system are based on the process of processing food, absorbing nutrients to produce energy, and eliminating body waste (Sullivan, 2008). The digestive system is made up of the following: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, large intestine, rectum and anus (slideshare). Types of digestion There are 2 different types of digestion: chemical digestion and mechanical digestion (slideshare). Mechanical digestion is simply digestion carried out through a movement or mechanism (stek). There are 2 types: chewing and peristalsis. The first stage of digestion takes place in the mouth. Chewing, or chewing, begins the process of breaking down food into nutrients. This is important because smaller pieces of food are more easily digested through chemical digestion (Coulter, 2010). The second type, peristalsis, is simply the involuntary contractions responsible for moving food through the esophagus and intestinal tract. Chemical digestion is done with the middle of a sheet of paper. obtain the resulting waste. The transverse colon absorbs liquids and salts. Finally, the third and last part of the colon; This is called the rectum. This is where fecal matter is stored until it is ready to go. The process by which stool leaves the body is known as bowel movement. This is intended to eliminate unnecessary materials and bacteria. Without regular bowel movements, bacteria can begin to grow and lead to many diseases and disorders. As you can see, the digestive system is a very unique, complex system. It is also extremely critical for the human body and every part must function properly in order to keep the digestive system functioning properly. It's not something we think about daily, but in reality, it's something we should appreciate every day. Without this system we would have no life.