Digestive System Organs: A Step-by-Step Guide

1) Ingestion

- Organs involved: Mouth, teeth, tongue, epiglottis

2) Mechanical digestion

- Organs involved: Tongue, teeth, esophagus, stomach

3) Chemical digestion

- Organs involved: Stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver

4) Absorption

- Organs involved: Small intestine, large intestine

5) Excretion

- Organs involved: Large intestine, rectum, anus

Additional organs involved in the overall process of digestion include:

- Salivary glands: Produce saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the chemical digestion of carbohydrates.

- Gallbladder: Stores and releases bile, which helps to break down fats.

- Appendix: Although its precise function is not fully understood, the appendix is thought to play a role in the immune system and may also help to store beneficial bacteria.