How the Digestive System Works

 

 The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. It begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva to form a bolus. This bolus travels down the esophagus into the stomach, where it is mixed with gastric juices to break down proteins and other substances. From the stomach, food moves into the small intestine, where most of the digestion and nutrient absorption takes place. The pancreas and liver secrete digestive enzymes and bile, aiding this process. The remaining waste moves to the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and the leftover material is excreted through the rectum.