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Which organs make up the digestive system?
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human body
Vintage anatomy charts of the human body showing the skeletal and muscle systems.
The human digestive system is a complex network of organs and glands that work together to break down food and eliminate waste. The digestive tract, which extends from the mouth to the anus, includes the following primary structures:
- Mouth and Oral Cavity: Includes teeth for grinding and the tongue for mixing food with saliva.1
- Pharynx: The throat, which serves as a pathway for food.1
- Esophagus: The tube that transports food to the stomach.1
- Stomach: An organ where food is processed and mixed with gastric glands secretions.1
- Small Intestine: A long, coiled tube consisting of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, where most digestion and absorption occur.12
- Large Intestine: Composed of the cecum, various sections of the colon, and the rectum.1
Additionally, several accessory glands and organs contribute essential digestive juices: the salivary glands, the pancreas, and the liver, along with its adjuncts, the gallbladder and bile ducts.1