Stomach

Your Stomach

Your stomach is a special bag-like part of your body that helps you digest food. It is found in the upper part of your belly, right after the esophagus, which is the tube that brings food from your mouth to your stomach. The stomach is before the small intestine, where most of the nutrients from your food are absorbed.

When you eat, food travels down the esophagus and into your stomach. Inside the stomach, the food mixes with special liquids called digestive enzymes and gastric acid. These help to break the food into smaller pieces so your body can use it.

The stomach has muscles that help churn and mix the food. It can stretch to hold about one litre of food, which is like a big bottle of juice! The stomach has four main parts: the cardia, fundus, body, and pylorus. Each part helps in breaking down the food in its own way.

As the food turns into a softer, liquid form, it moves into the small intestine through a special door called the pyloric sphincter. This helps make sure the food moves along properly through your body.

The stomach is very important for keeping you healthy by helping you digest the food you eat. It works with many other parts of your body to make sure you get all the good things from your food!