Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

Survive. Connect. Rebuild.

A Program of the ATS

Abdominal Injuries_Anatomy and Physiology

The torso of the body contains the chest and the abdomen, which are separated by the diaphragm (a muscle responsible for breathing). The abdomen contains the digestive and urinary systems. The digestive system has organs that break down food for the body to use for energy and for building and repairing cells and tissues. Food passes down the throat and a tube called the esophagus, and into the stomach. Food is broken down in the stomach and the partially digested food passes into the small and large intestine. The small intestine is made up of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and the large intestine is made up of the cecum, colon, and rectum. The liver, the gallbladder, and the pancreas produce enzymes and substances that help with digestion in the small intestine. Food that remains undigested is expelled through the anus.