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Digestive System

Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste

Alimentary Canal

Continuous tube food passes through from mouth to anus

Accessory Organs

Organs that aid digestion but food does not pass through them

Mouth

Begins digestion through chewing and saliva

Salivary Glands

Produce saliva with enzymes that start chemical digestion

Tongue

Moves food, helps swallowing, and contains taste buds

Pharynx

Shared passageway for food and air

Epiglottis

Flap that prevents food from entering the trachea

Esophagus

Muscular tube that moves food to the stomach

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract

Stomach

Muscular sac that churns food and mixes it with acid and enzymes

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

Kills bacteria and activates digestive enzymes

Pepsin

Enzyme that digests proteins

Chyme

Thick, acidic mixture of partially digested food

Cardiac Sphincter

Prevents food from flowing back into the esophagus

Pyloric Sphincter

Controls movement of chyme into the small intestine

Small Intestine

Main site of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption

Duodenum

First part of the small intestine where digestion continues

Jejunum

Absorbs most nutrients

Ileum

Absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts

Villi

Finger-like projections that increase surface area for absorption

Ileocecal Valve

Controls movement from small intestine to large intestine

Large Intestine (Colon)

Absorbs water and forms feces

Ascending Colon

Moves waste upward on the right side of the body

Transverse Colon

Moves waste across the abdomen

Descending Colon

Moves waste downward on the left side of the body

Sigmoid Colon

Stores feces before elimination

Rectum

Stores feces

Anus

Exit for solid waste

Vermiform Appendix

Small pouch with immune system function

Liver

Produces bile, detoxifies blood, and stores glycogen

Gallbladder

Stores and concentrates bile

Bile

Breaks fats into smaller droplets (emulsification)

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and hormones

Pancreatic Enzymes

Break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats

Insulin

Hormone that lowers blood glucose

Glucagon

Hormone that raises blood gluco