Liver-The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body. It weighs about 3 lb (1.36 kg).

It is reddish
brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of
the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm. Blood is carried to the liver via two large vessels called the
hepatic artery and the portal vein. The heptic artery carries oxygen-rich blood from the aorta (a major
vessel in the heart). The portal vein carries blood containing digested food from the small intestine. These
blood vessels subdivide in the liver repeatedly, terminating in very small capillaries. Each capillary leads to
a lobule. Liver tissue is composed of thousands of lobules, and each lobule is made up of hepatic cells, the
basic metabolic cells of the liver.
-function: The liver has many functions. Some of the functions are: to produce substances that
break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea (the main substance of urine), make certain
amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), filter harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol),
storage of vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a proper level or glucose in the
blood. The liver is also responsible fore producing cholesterol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in
your body.

Gallbladder-What is the Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that stores and concentrates bile. The gallbladder is
connected to the liver by the hepatic duct. It is approximately 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) long and
about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

The gallbladder is also called a 'gall bladder'.

What is its Function?

The function of the gallbladder is to store bile and concentrate. Bile is a digestive liquid continually
secreted by the liver. The bile emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested food. A muscular
valve in the common bile duct opens, and the bile flows from the gallbladder into the cystic duct, along the
common bile duct, and into the duodenum (part of the small intestine).

Appendix-What is the Appendix?

The Appendix is a worm-shaped appendage that sticks out from the top portion of the large intestine.
The appendix can become inflamed. If an inflamed appendix is not treated immediately, the appendix can
burst.

What is the Main Function of Appendix?

The main function of the appendix is unknown.

Pancreas-What is the Pancreas?

The pancreas is a glandular organ that secretes digestive enzymes (internal secretions) and hormones
(external secretions). In humans, the pancreas is a yellowish organ about 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 1.5
inches. (3.8 cm) wide.

The pancreas lies beneath the stomach and is connected to the small intestine at the duodenum (see
digestive system).

The pancreas contains enzyme producing cells that secrete two hormones. The two hormones are insulin
and glucagon. Insulin and glucagon are secreted directly into the bloodstream, and together, they regulate
the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin lowers the blood sugar level and increases the amount of
glucagon (stored carbohydrate) in the liver. Glucagon slowly increases the blood sugar level if it falls too
low. If the insulin secreting cells do not work properly, diabetes occurs.

What else does the Pancreas Do?

The pancreas produces the body's most important enzymes. The enzymes are designed to digest foods
and break down starches.

The pancreas also helps neutralize chyme and helps break down proteins, fats and starch. Chyme is a
thick semifluid mass of partly digested food that is passed from the stomach to the duodenum. If the
pancreas is not working properly to neutralize chyme and break down proteins, fats and starch, starvation
may occur.

What is the stomach?

The stomach is an organ of digestion. It has a saclike shape and is located between the esophagus and
the intestines. Almost every animal has a stomach.

The human stomach is a muscular, elastic, pear-shaped bag, lying crosswise in the abdominal cavity
beneath the diaphragm. It changes size and shape according to is position of the body and the amount of
food inside. The stomach is about 12 inches (30.5 cm) long and is 6 inches. (15.2 cm) wide at its widest
point. The stomach's capacity is about 1 qt (0.94 liters) in an adult.

Food enters the stomach from the esophagus. The connection between the stomach and the esophagus is
called the cardiac sphincter. The cardiac sphincter prevents food from passing back to the esophagus.
Heart burn is the sensation when stomach juices (gastric juice) is allowed to seep through the sphincter
into the esophagus. Once the food enters the stomach, gastric juices are used to break down the food.
Some substances are absorbed muscle lining of the stomach. One of the substances the stomach absorbs
is alcohol.

The other end of the stomach empties into the duodenum. The duodenum is the first section of the small
intestine. The pyloric sphincter separates the stomach from the duodenum.

The stomach is composed of five layers. Starting from the inside and working our way out, the innermost
layer is called the mucosa. Stomach acid and digestive juices are made in the mucosa layer. The next layer
is called the submucosa. The submucosa is surrounded by the muscularis, a layer of muscle that moves
and mixes the stomach contents. The next two layers, the subserosa and the serosa are the wrapping for
the stomach. The serosa is the outermost layer of the stomach.

Large and small intestine-The small intestine is about 6 meters (20 feet) long. It is coiled in the center of
the abdominal cavity (see picture). The small intestine is divided into 3 sections: upper, jejunum, and
ileum. The lining of the small intestine secretes a hormone called secretin, which stimulates the pancreas
to produce digestive enzymes.

The large intestine has a larger width but is only 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. The large intestine is divided
into 6 parts: cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum.

Major function of Intestines

The small and large intestines perform different functions. The small intestine is where the most extensive
part of digestion occurs. Most food products are absorbed in the small intestine. The large intestine is
responsible for absorption of water and excretion of solid waste material. Food and waste material are
moved along the length of the intestine by rhythmic contractions of intestinal muscles; these contractions
are called peristaltic movements. Waste is solid because most of the water has been removed by the
intestines as it travels through them.