The digestive system
The digestive system is composed of two parts: the alimentary canal and the accessory digestive structures. These two parts of the system work together to break down food into absorbable units and eliminate the non-digested material as feces. Let’s begin by identifying each of the organs in the alimentary canal and the accessory digestive structures.
Choose one organ/structure and post details about it to begin the discussion. Choose a different organ for each of your follow up posts to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute.
Sample Answer
Sure, I can do that. Let’s start with the alimentary canal.
The alimentary canal is a long, muscular tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. It is divided into the following parts:
- Mouth: The mouth is where food is chewed and mixed with saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that start to break down carbohydrates.
Pharynx: The pharynx is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the esophagus. It helps to move food from the mouth to the esophagus.
Esophagus: The esophagus is a muscular tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach. It helps to move food by contracting and relaxing its muscles.