Digestive System

• Digestive system


  A body system that breaks down large insoluble food molecules into smaller useful soluble molecules via enzymes, chemicals and mechanical action

  
• Mouth


  Where food is taken into the body and digestion starts, the mouth contains digestive saliva and can also mechanically digest food via teeth and the tongue

  
• Salivary glands


  Glands in the mouth which release saliva and digestive enzymes such as amylase which breaks down starch

  
• Oesophagus


  A tube that uses repeated muscular contraction to move food from the mouth to the stomach

  
• Peristalsis


  The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the oesophagus or intestine, creating wave-like movements that push food contents along

  
• Stomach


  Where food breaks down from large molecules by muscle contraction, churning, stomach acid and protease enzymes

  
• Liver


  Produces bile

  
• Bile


  Emulsifies fat and neutralises stomach acid to help create alkaline conditions in the small intestine, for optimal intestinal enzyme activity
• Emulsification


  Allowing fat and water to mix, produces fat droplets with an increased surface area that makes them easier to break down
• Gallbladder


  Stores bile produced by the liver

  
• Bile duct


  Carries bile from the liver and gallbladder and empties it into the duodenum

  
• Pancreas


  A gland which produces digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease and lipase that can be released into the small intestine

  
• Pancreatic duct


  Conducts pancreatic juices containing enzymes from the pancreas to the duodenum

  
• Duodenum


  The first section of the small intestine, receives digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the gall bladder

  
• Small intestine


  The site of digestion completion where small soluble molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream

  
• Ileum


  The last portion of the small intestine, the walls of the ileum can produces enzymes such as amylase, protease and lipase to aid digestion

  
• Villi


  Small finger-like projections on the walls of the small intestine, increases surface area for absorption of soluble food molecules

  
• Large intestine


  Where water is absorbed from food into the bloodstream

  
• Appendix


  A small pouch-like sac of tissue at the end of the large intestine

  
• Rectum


  Where faeces is stored before excretion
• Anus


  Where faeces leave the body