Anatomy And Physiology

Mouth-> A mucous membrane-lined cavity. Where food is ingested Pharynx->Connects mouth to the esophagus. Made up of two parts- oropharynx and laryngopharynx Esophagus->Long passageway from esophagus to stomach(about 25 cm long) through the diaphragm, conducting food using peristalsis Stomach->A C-shaped organ on the left side of the abdominal cavity, nearly hidden by the liver and diaphragm. It is where the majority of the food is digested, for 3-4 hours with an ability to hold up to 4 liters (1 gallon) of food. To keep the food in the stomach there are 2 sphincters at the esophagus and the small intestine. Liver->An accessory organ that produces bile Pancreas-> Another accessory organ that breaks down fats and secretes glucagon and insulin. They regulate the blood sugar levels in the body. Gallbladder-> This organ  stores bile that the liver produces. Small Intestine-> Water, nutrients, and starches are absorbed and waste material starts to fo...

The overall function of the digestive system is to break down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells and to eliminate indigestible foodstuffs as feces.