Pig dissection - digestive system

Hard palate

Separates oral/nasal cavities.

Soft palate

Rises to block nasal passage during swallowing.

Epiglottis

Flap that prevents food from entering trachea during swallowing.

Esophagus

Transports food from mouth to stomach via peristalsis.

Liver

Produces bile, detoxifies blood, stores glucose/vitamins.

Gall bladder

Stores and concentrates bile.

Common bile duct

Transports bile from liver/gall bladder to duodenum.

Stomach

Digests food using acid and enzymes; rugae allow expansion.

Cardiac valve

Prevents stomach contents from refluxing into esophagus.

Pyloric sphincter

Controls passage of chyme into duodenum.

Rugae

Stomach folds that allow expansion and increase surface area.

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

Spleen

Filters blood and recycles red blood cells

Small intestine

Primary site of digestion and nutrient absorption.

Duodenum

First section; receives chyme, bile, and enzymes.

Jejunum

Absorbs nutrients like sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Ileum

Absorbs bile salts and remaining nutrients.

Villi

Fingerlike projections that increase absorptive surface area.

Large intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes; forms and moves feces.

Colon

Major section of large intestine; processes waste.

Rectum

Stores feces before defecation.

Anus

Regulates and expels feces from the body.