This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. What did you have for breakfast today and where is that food now? Well, depending on how long ago you ...

The small intestine's function is to break down food from the stomach and absorb the nutrients. The main role of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine completes the first phase of ...

Answering one of the oldest questions in human physiology, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered why the body's immune system -- perpetually on guard against foreign microbes ...

Scientists have created a synthetic small intestinal lining designed to treat certain digestive diseases or make it easier for the body to absorb certain drugs — all contained in a solution that one ...

Physicians in the fields of endocrinology and gastroenterology have said it is possible for an individual to live without a small intestine. They, however, said it was an expensive and difficult ...

Many people finish a normal meal and suddenly notice something uncomfortable: the stomach feels tight, stretched, or ...

The digestive system breaks down food into tiny particles which are absorbed into the blood. These particles provide energy for the body to grow, repair itself and remain healthy. Food that cannot be ...