What are the main organs of the digestive system?

The digestive system includes the digestive tract (a continuous tube from mouth to anus) and accessory organs. Key accessory organs are the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, salivary glands, teeth, and tongue.

What is the function of the digestive system?

Its primary functions are to process food into absorbable nutrients and expel waste. This involves ingestion, mastication, deglutition, digestion, absorption, peristalsis, and defecation.

What are the parts of the digestive tract in order?

The digestive tract is a muscular tube about 10 meters long, consisting of: mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anal canal.

How does the small intestine differ from the large intestine?

The small intestine is longer (6 m) and coiled, primarily for digestion and absorption. The large intestine is shorter (1.5 m) and wider, mainly absorbing water and electrolytes and storing feces.

What are the major salivary glands and their roles?

The three major salivary glands secrete saliva for digestion and lubrication: Parotid gland (near the ear, duct opens opposite the 2nd upper molar), submandibular gland (inside the mandible, duct opens near the tongue's frenulum), and sublingual gland (in the floor of the mouth, with multiple small ducts).

What is the function of the liver in digestion?

The liver aids digestion by secreting bile (about 1 liter per day), which helps in fat digestion. It also performs metabolism, detoxification, and heat production.

How does the pancreas contribute to digestion?

The pancreas has a dual function: Exocrine (produces pancreatic juice with enzymes like trypsin, amylase, and lipase for digesting proteins, starch, and fats) and endocrine (secretes insulin and glucagon from the Islets of Langerhans to regulate blood sugar).

Digestive System – GI Tract Anatomy Overview

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