Digestive System

Functions Physically and chemically breaks down food into smaller pieces. Moves digested food from the digestive tract into the circulatory system through the process of absorption. Eliminates undigested food and waste products from the body.

Structure # Name Description and Function 1 Mouth contains teeth, which break down food into smaller pieces by chewing, which allows food to be swallowed. 2 Tongue Muscle that is used for rolling food around your mouth so your teeth can work best.

Structure # Name Description and Function 3 Salivary gland 3 main salivary glands deliver saliva into the mouth. The fluid helps soften up food, the first chemical action along the digestion trail. 4 Epiglottis This trap door belongs to both the respiratory and the digestive systems. Prevents food and fluids from draining into the lungs.

Structure # Name Description and Function 5 Esophagus A muscular canal running from the pharynx to the stomach that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. Food in the mouth is carried to the esophagus by peristalsis, a process where muscles contract to push food through the esophagus to the stomach.

Structure # Name Description and Function 6 Stomach Gastric acids in this organ break down food. 7 Duodenum The first section of the twenty two foot long small intestine. It is largely responsible for the continuing food breaking-down process.

Structure # Name Description and Function 8 Small Intestine This small bowel has 3 main sections: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Chyme from the stomach empties into the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for most chemical digestion of food, and absorption of nutrients including proteins, lipids (fats) and carbohydrates. Nutrients are absorbed into capillaries, and then they are transported to tissue and organs of the body to support cell processes..

Structure # Name Description and Function 9 Gall bladder The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. In response to signals, it squeezes stored bile into the small intestine through a series of tubes called ducts. Bile helps digest fats. 10 Pancreas The body’s sugar control board. Insulin and glucagon are produced here. It secretes digestive enzymes that break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

Structure # Name Description and Function 11 Liver The organ secretes bile that is passed along the gall bladder for concentration and storage. 12 Large Intestine The large intestine passes the remaining essential nutrients into the bloodstream and the storage and elimination of waste left-overs.

Structure # Name Description and Function 13 Appendix to expose white blood cells to the wide variety of antigens, or foreign substances, present in the gastrointestinal tract. 14 Rectum Stores and releases waste and stool.

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