With the help of other organs it helps the body to break down and absorb food. It has a series of organs joined in a long twisting tube from the mouth to the anus.

Epiglottis: The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs. Pepsin: an enzyme secreted in the stomach that catalyzes the hydrolysis of protein. Amylase: an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into simpler compounds. Peristalsis: The wavelike muscular contractions of the intestine or other tubular structure that propel the contents onward by alternate contraction and relaxation. Pancreas: The pancreas releases glucagon, insulin and some of the enzymes which aid digestion.

Hepatitis :An inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors such as alcohol abuse, some medications and trauma. Although many cases of hepatitis are not a serious threat to health, the disease can become chronic and can sometimes lead to liver failure and death.

 We eat about 500 kilograms of food per year.  About a quart of saliva is produced each day.  The esophagus is approximately 8 inches long.  Muscles contract in waves to move the food down the esophagus. This means that food would get to a person's stomach, even if they were standing on their head.  Adults stomach can hold approximately 1 quart of material.  Every day 9 quarts of digested food, liquids and digestive juices flow through the digestive system, but only two pints are lost as feces.  In the mouth, food is either cooled or warmed to a more suitable temperature.