The Digestive System
The digestive system consists of two primary components:
- The gastrointestinal tract (alimentary canal) consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
- The accessory organs of digestion are the pancreas, liver, and gall bladder.
Types of digestion
The two types of digestion are masticulation and chemical.
- Masticulation – occurs in the mouth and is mechanical, consisting of tearing, cutting, and grinding actions.
- Chemical – starts in the mouth and continues throughout the digestive system. Enzymes are the primary substance used in chemical digestion.