WHAT IS DIGESTIVE SYSTEM?

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract—also called the GI tract or digestive
tract. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to
the anus.

PARTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Alimentary Tract
1) Mouth - The mouth is an oval-shaped cavity inside the skull. The two main functions of
the mouth are eating and speaking. Parts of the mouth include the lips, vestibule, mouth
cavity, gums, teeth, hard and soft palate, tongue and salivary glands. The mouth is also
known as the oral cavity or the buccal cavity.
2) Pharynx - The pharynx, commonly called the throat, is a passageway that extends from
the base of the skull to the level of the sixth cervical vertebra.
3) Esophagus - The esophagus is the hollow, muscular tube that passes food and liquid from
your throat to your stomach.
4) Stomach - The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes
(substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mix of
enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass to your small intestine.
5) Small intestine - A long tube-like organ that connects the stomach and the large intestine.
It is about 20 feet long and folds many times to fit inside the abdomen. The small
intestine has three parts: the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. It helps to further digest
food coming from the stomach.
6) Large intestine - The long, tube-like organ that is connected to the small intestine at one
end and the anus at the other. The large intestine has four parts: cecum, colon, rectum,
and anal canal. Partly digested food moves through the cecum into the colon, where water
and some nutrients and electrolytes are removed.
7) Rectum - The last several inches of the large intestine closest to the anus.
8) Anus - The anus is the opening at the far end of the digestive tract through which stool
leaves the body.
Associated with the alimentary tract are the following accessory organs:
1) Salivary glands - make saliva, which aids in digestion, keeps your mouth moist and
supports healthy teeth. You have three pairs of major salivary glands under and behind
your jaw. parotid, sublingual and submandibular.
 Parotid - located below and in front of each ear.
 Sublingual - located under your tongue.
 Submandibular – located under your jaw.
2) Liver - The liver is the largest solid organ in the body. It removes toxins from the body's
blood supply, maintains healthy blood sugar levels, regulates blood clotting, and
performs hundreds of other vital functions.
3) Gallbladder - is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just
beneath your liver. The gallbladder holds a digestive fluid called bile that's released into
your small intestine.
4) Pancreas - A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which
contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones, including
insulin. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.