Fats
This section
is about
Terms
used to describe digestion and digestive processes
To read about other parts of the digestive system, use the links on the
left-side of this page.
See also glossary pages about
Tissues
and Organs of the
Digestive System
and about
Diseases
and Disorders of the Digestive System
Fats are substances that contain one or more than one fatty acids in the form of triglycerides.
Fats are also the main form in which energy is stored in the body - as adipose tissue.
Fats are one of the 3 main parts of the human diet - the others being carbohydrates and proteins.
Uses and effects of Fats:
A healthy diet should include sufficient essential fatty acids for the efficient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins via the intestines.
Fats in the body itself provide several important functions including insulation beneath the skin (in the subcutaneous tissue) and around organs such as the kidneys. However, excessive deposition of fat in the body can lead to obesity and its many consequences and risks.
More about the Digestive System:
This section includes pages about:
- Introduction to the Digestive System
- Terminology about Digestion
- Passage through the alimentary tract
- Component Parts of the Digestive System, incl. Teeth, Stomach, Liver, Small Intestine, Large Intestine
- Chemical Processes in the Digestive System (introductory level)
- Diseases and Disorders of the Digestive System
For further information see also our pages of books about gastroenterology.
- The digestive system (introduction)
- Digestive System Terminology
- Main Stages of the Digestive Process
- Transit through the Alimentary Canal
- Absorption Sites
- Structures of the mouth
- Teeth - as part of the digestive system
- Stomach
- Liver
- Small Intestine
- Large Intestine
- Defecation
- Digestive System Diseases & Disorders
