Digestive System - Simple Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the organs and accessory organs of the digestive system, including their main functions as outlined in the lecture notes.

Mouth

Chews food and mixes it with saliva to start digestion

Oesophagus

Moves food from mouth to stomach

Stomach

Breaks down food using acid and enzymes

Small intestine

Finishes digestion and absorbs nutrients

Large intestine

Absorbs water from food

Appendix

Small finger-like pouch attached to the large intestine (no major role in digestion)

Rectum

Stores waste until it is removed from the body

Anus

Removes waste from the body

Accessory organs

Organs that help digestion but food does not pass through them. They make or store substances that are needed for digestion.

Liver

Produces bile to break down fats

Gall bladder

Stores bile

Pancreas

Produces enzymes to help digestion

Salivary glands

Produce saliva that starts breaking down starch in the mouth