Salivary glands
glands in the cheeks and under the tongue which produce saliva to moisten food that is chewed. Salivary glands also secrete enzymes which breaks down starches in the mouth.
Esophagus
muscular tube which creates peristaltic waves to carry swallowed food from the throat to the stomach.
stomach
muscular organ which churns food and secretes enzymes and acids for food digestion.
small intestine
hollow tract where chemical digestion continues and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream
pancreas
organ which secretes enzymes for starch and protein digestion into the small intestine.
liver
organ which processes digested food into useful substances for the body, secretes bile for fat digestion, and removes toxins from blood.
gall bladder
storage sac for bile located on the lower surface of the liver
colon
main part of the large intestine which absorbs water from indigestible food.
rectum
final section of the large intestine which eliminates waste material from the body.