Resource sheet of Alimentary canal

The function of the Alimentary canal: The human digestive system consists of a tube called the, alimentary
canal, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. The food travels through the body along the alimentary canal, a
continuous tube beginning at the mouth and ending at the anus.

Alimentary canal associated organs:

Mouth: Digestion of food starts in the mouth. The food that we put into our mouths is broken down into smaller pieces
by the action of our teeth.

Pharynx (Throat): The pharynx, or throat, is the passageway that leads from the mouth to the oesophagus. The
pharynx permits the passage of swallowed solids and liquids into the oesophagus.

Oesophagus: The oesophagus is a narrow tube which pushes the food from the mouth into the stomach.

Stomach: The stomach is a muscular organ. Stomach hydrochloric acid kills microorganisms in the food. Stomach
juices begin to break down protein into amino acids.

Small intestine: The juices from the pancreas; finish breaking down starch, protein and fat into small molecules.
These small molecules are then absorbed through the walls of the small intestine. Water, vitamins and minerals ( made
up of small particles) are also absorbed.

Large intestine (colon): All the food that could not be digested and absorbed passes through here. A little more of
the water in it is absorbed. The undigested food collects up and forms faeces.

Rectum: Any undigested food passes into the rectum where it is stored as faeces.

Anus: An opening at the very end of the digestive system through which faeces leaves the body.

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 Digested and undigested food particles:

● Digested food is absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine.

● Water, minerals and undigested food such as fibre pass into the large intestine; where the water and minerals are
absorbed into the bloodstream. The undigested food is stored in the rectum and passed out as faeces through the
anus.

References:
● Cambridge Science Coursebook 8
● International Lower Secondary Science 3
● https://www.britannica.com/science/human-digestive-system/Pharynx
● https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zf339j6/articles/zv8m7yc