Digestive System - Primary & Secondary

Rectum

A short tube that stores solid waste until it is eliminated from the body.

Mouth

Begins to break down food into smaller pieces through mechanical digestion; saliva in the mouth starts the process of chemical digestion.

What does the Primary Digestive System do?

Break down foods, absorb nutrients, rid of waste.

Chem. Digestion

Chemically breaking the food into smaller pieces.

Stomach

Continues the process of mechanical digestion.Secretes gastric juices that continue the process of chemical digestion started in the mouth.

Primary Organs

Have a direct role in digesting food and come into physical contact with the food.

Anus

Opening where waste is eliminated.

Mech. Digestion

Physically breaking the food into smaller pieces.

Gallbladder

Produces bile, which is used by the body to break up fat, and filters blood.

Liver

Produces bile, which is used by the body to break up fat, and filters blood.

Pancreas

Produces digestive juices that help to further break down the food in the small intestine.

Secondary Organs

Support the process of digestion by secreting digestive juices. Food does not pass through secondary organs.

Small Intestine

The organ where most of the chemical digestion of food takes place; nutrients from food are also absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestines.

Large Intestine

The organ where water from the food is absorbed into the bloodstream; prepares the remaining undigested food for elimination from the body.

Esophagus

The transport tube that carries chewed food to the stomach.