How is it possible that something as simple as a piece of steak can be transformed into fuel for our bodies once consumed? It happens through this system with many working parts known as the digestive system. When it comes to the human body, the digestive system is very important. It gives our bodies the ability to process foods, extract the nutrients we need from foods, and eliminate waste (smartlivingnetwork). Without these abilities our body would not be able to function. So what exactly is the digestive system? It is a complex series of organs that process the food we eat. Overall this system consists of approximately 6-9 meters of muscular tubes running from the mouth to the anus. According to Robert Sullivan, the organs of this system rely on the process of processing food, absorbing nutrients for energy, and eliminating body waste (Sullivan, 2008). The digestive system consists of the following: 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 that is achieved through a movement, or mechanism (stek). There are 2 types: mastication and peristalsis. The first phase of digestion occurs in the mouth. Mastication, or mastication, begins the process of breaking down food into nutrients. This is important because smaller pieces of food are digested more easily through chemical digestion (Coulter, 2010). The second type, peristalsis, consists of the involuntary contractions responsible for the movement of food through the esophagus and intestinal tract. Chemical digestion is performed with t... middle of the paper... ascending colon is intended to obtain the resulting waste materials. The transverse colon absorbs liquids and salts. Finally, the third and last part of the colon; this is known as the rectum. This is where the fecal matter is stored until they are ready to leave. The process by which stool leaves the body is known as a bowel movement. This is done to eliminate unnecessary materials and bacteria. Without a regular bowel movement, bacteria can begin to build up 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 to the human body and every part must function properly to keep the digestive system functioning properly. It's not something we think about on a daily basis, but it's actually something we should be grateful for every day. Without this system we would not have life.