Overview
The digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that break down food, extracting nutrients and eliminating waste. It consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Each part of the digestive system has its own important role to play in breaking down food and producing waste. The mouth is where digestion begins as food is chewed and mixed with saliva so that it can be broken down by digestive enzymes. The esophagus transports the food to the stomach where further digestion takes place. The stomach churns and mixes the food with digestive juices to break it down further. The small intestine absorbs nutrients from the food and pumps them into the bloodstream. The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes, which forms the waste product for elimination. The rectum and anus then expel the waste from the body. The digestive system is essential for nourishing the body and eliminating the substances that are not needed.