Human Alimentary Canal

Functions of the parts of the digestive system

 Mouth - the ==first== part of the digestive system where food enters the body.

Oesophagus - the long tube between the mouth and the stomach

Stomach - a sack like, muscular organ that is attached to the oesophagus. When food enters the stomach, it is churned with lots of ==acid and some enzymes==

Liver - a large organ which makes bile that ==neutralises== the stomach acid and aids the digestion of lipids

Pancreas - a gland below the stomach which makes lots of ==enzymes== to help break down food

Small intestine - the long, thin tube that food goes through after it leaves the stomach

Duodenum (Small intestine) - ==First== section of small intestine where food is mixed with ==digestive enzymes and bile==

Ileum - ==Second== part of the small intestine where food is absorbed

large intestine/colon - The shorter, wider tube that follows the small intestine. Water is ==reabsorbed== here

rectum - the lower part of the large intestine, where ==faeces== is stored before it leaves the body

Anus - the opening at the end of the digestive system from which ==faeces leave the body==

Stages of food breakdown

Ingestion - intake of food

Digestion - breaking down large insoluble molecules into small soluble molecules so that they can be absorbed by the body

Absorption - the process of absorbing nutrients from the small intestine into the bloodstream

Assimilation - nutrients being absorbed by each cell of the body in the form of energy