DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - A system, or collection of organs that work together to camy out ingestion, absorption, assimilation, and excretion.

MOUTH Entrance of food into the body

Trivia: TONGUE - strongest muscle of the body.

Mastication - astication Other term for chewing

SALIVARY GLANDS - Produces saliva that helps moisten and lubricates food while broken down

-Contains special enzymes that help digest starches in food

PHARYNX - Controls the passage of swallowed solids and liquids into the esophagus.

ESOPHAGUS - Passageway of food through the stomach Also called "gullet"

STOMACH - Where partial digestion of food takes place with the help of gastric juice and enzymes

LIVER - Secretes "bile" (bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid) which aids digestion.

LIVER - Blood coming from the digestive organ carries simple sugar, glycerol, amino acid, few vitamins and salts to the live where they are detoxified.

Stages of the Digestive Progress

INGESTION - Process of taking food into the alimentary canal. Starts from the mouth, ends out of the anus

DIGESTION - Breaking down of food.

Two types of digestion: Mechanical, Chemical

ABSORPTION - The uptake of fluids or other substance by the tissues of the body carried by bodily fluids, such like: blood and lymph (from the alimentary canal).

ASSIMILATION - Process by which absorbed components or chemicals from food are delivered into the cells of the body.

ELIMINATION - Final stage Excretion of metabolic waste Includes blood via the kidneys and urinary tract.