Epiglottis
Plate of cartilage that shuts off the entrance into the larynx during swallowing.

Esophagus
Straight muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach.

Gallbladder
Saclike organ associated with the liver that stores and concentrates bile before it is released into the duodenum.

Liver
The liver secretes bile to digest fat in the diet, and carries on many more metabolic activities.

Pancreas
The pancreas is connected to the duodenum and produces enzymes that digest carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acids and proteins.

Pharynx
The part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus.

Stomach
The stomach is a J-shaped organ that produces acids and enzymes that break down food. It stores food, adds gastric juice, mixes it, and moves it into the small intestine.


SMALL INTESTINE

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine which receives partially digested food from the stomach. The pancreas and gallbladder add enzymes and bile to the mix. The second part is the jejunum that is specialized for the absorption of small nutrients. The ileum is the final and longest segment that is mainly responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts.

LARGE INTESTINE

The cecum is a pouchlike structure at the beginning of the large intestine. It has a narrow tube with a closed end, the appendix, which has no digestive function. The colon, where absoption of water and electrolytes takes place, is divided into four parts: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon. After passing the colon the feces accumulates in the rectum and leaves the body through the anus.