Wikijunior:Biology/Systems/Digestive System

A diagram of the digestive system

The Digestive System

The digestive system is how food is processed by our bodies. Food comes in through our mouth, which is broken down in our stomach. From there, the body takes the food in through the intestines, where all the nutrients are absorbed. Then the waste goes out through the anus.

The digestive system is made up of many organs. Here are some of the organs and their functions:

Esophagus - Pushes food down into the stomach.

Stomach - Breaks down complex sugars with acid.

Liver - Makes a liquid called bile that breaks down fat.

Gallbladder - Stores the bile and adds it when needed to the small intestine.

Pancreas - Makes chemicals that break down food.

Small intestine - Absorbs food for body.

Large intestine - Absorbs water and salt.

Rectum - Stores waste before it leaves the body through the anus.