The stomach is an essential part of the digestive system. This large, muscular chamber connects to the esophagus on the top and the lower intestine on the bottom. Located at the left side of the abdomen, behind the ribs, the stomach carries out a variety of digestive functions.

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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8t9tm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8t9tm-0-0"><span data-text="true">The digestive system turns the food you eat into parts it can use for energy and nutrients. It uses chemical and mechanical processes to break down food. The mechanical component involves chewing, which masticates food between the tongue and teeth. The chemical component involves saliva, gastric acid, and digestive enzymes. After the food's nutrients have </span></span><span class="passivevoice"><span data-offset-key="8t9tm-1-0"><span data-text="true">been absorbed</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="8t9tm-2-0"><span data-text="true">, the resulting waste product gets expelled.</span></span></div>
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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="21hse-0-0"><span data-offset-key="21hse-0-0"><span data-text="true">We mentioned that saliva is one of the crucial fluids that help to break down food. Did you know that there are between 800 and 1000 minor salivary glands? This number is on top of the three main pairs of salivary glands in the mouth. Saliva does not </span></span><span class="qualifier"><span data-offset-key="21hse-1-0"><span data-text="true">just</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="21hse-2-0"><span data-text="true"> digest food. It also plays a crucial role in the maintenance of dental health. One of the reasons it's important to brush your teeth before bed is our mouths don't produce as much saliva at night. </span></span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="21hse-3-0"><span data-text="true">This makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities, as any bacteria left over from dinner have time to cause havoc</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="21hse-4-0"><span data-text="true">.</span></span></div>
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Anatomy

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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1smsj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1smsj-0-0">Anatomy is a branch of biology. This branch of science in particular deals with organisms and their biological structure. Human anatomy, along with physiology and biochemistry, forms the basis of medicine.</span></div>
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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0">Some parts that make up the body's structure are </span><span class="adverb"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-1-0">incredibly</span></span><span data-offset-key="8jihb-2-0"> complex. Take the circulatory system, for example, which contains the heart and blood vessels. This system </span><span class="complexword"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-3-0">handles a lot of responsibility.</span></span><span data-offset-key="8jihb-4-0"> many crucial functions. It transports blood, nutrients, waste products, immune cells, and clotting cells. It is also </span><span class="adverb"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-5-0">closely</span></span><span data-offset-key="8jihb-6-0"> tied to the lymphatic system and our immune system. </span></div>
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<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-6-0">As you can see, no one part of our anatomy functions completely separate from the others. </span>All the parts of the structure must get along in order for the body to function.</div>
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Digestive System

The Stomach: Essential to the Digestive System

8. Diagnostic Testing for the Stomach

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