The digestion of food in the human stomach begins with the release of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid. These substances help to break down the food into smaller molecules that can be easily absorbed by the body. The stomach also contracts and relaxes to mix the food with digestive juices, forming a thick liquid called chyme.
The chyme then moves into the small intestine, where further digestion and absorption of nutrients take place. The small intestine is lined with tiny finger-like projections called villi, which increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption. Enzymes and bile from the liver and pancreas help to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into their component molecules, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.
Any undigested food and waste products move into the large intestine, where water is absorbed and the remaining waste is formed into stool. Eventually, the stool is eliminated from the body through the rectum and anus.
