How does the digestive system work
                     HOW DOES 
THE 
DIGESTIVE 
SYSTEM 
WORK?
WHAT IS THE DIGESTIVE 
SYSTEM?
The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal 
tract also called the GI tract or digestive tract and the 
liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. 
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DIGESTION PROCESS
Digestion is the process by which your body breaks down 
food and liquids into smaller parts to build and nourish 
cells, and to provide energy. 
There is certain steps food and liquid must take before 
exiting your system.
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HOW DOES THE 
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 
WORK?
MOUTH
To more easily absorb different foods, your saliva helps 
break down what you’re eating and turn it into chemicals 
called enzymes.
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ESOPHAGUS
Once your food is broken down from saliva and chewing, 
it moves through your esophagus, which is the pipe that 
connects your mouth to your stomach. 
A process called peristalsis the tightening and relaxation 
of muscles in the intestine to transport food and waste 
products allows food to move more smoothly through 
the digestive tract. 
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STOMACH
Your stomach is where food is stored and further broken 
down by acid and powerful enzymes. From there, food 
moves into the small intestine.
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SMALL INTESTINE
Most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, where 
food is broken down even more by enzymes released 
from the pancreas and bile from the liver. 
Anything left in the small intestine moves into the large 
intestine, which is also known as the colon.
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ORGANS THAT HELP 
STOMACH & INTESTINE
Three organs play a pivotal role in helping the stomach 
and small intestine digest food.
1. Pancreas
2. Liver
3. Gallbladder
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PANCREAS
Among other functions, the oblong pancreas secretes 
enzymes into the small intestine. These enzymes break 
down protein, fat, and carbohydrates from the food we 
eat.
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LIVER
The liver has many functions, but two of its main 
functions within the digestive system are to make and 
secrete bile, and to cleanse and purify the blood coming 
from the small intestine containing the nutrients just 
absorbed.
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GALLBLADDER
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped reservoir that sits just 
under the liver and stores bile. 
Bile is made in the liver then if it needs to be stored 
travels to the gallbladder through a channel called the 
cystic duct. 
During a meal, the gallbladder contracts, sending bile to 
the small intestine.
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LARGE INTESTINE, COLON, 
RECTUM AND ANUS
The colon is a 5 to 7 foot long muscular tube that 
connects the small intestine to the rectum. 
It’s responsible for processing waste. On average, it 
takes about 36 hours for waste, or stool, to get through 
the colon and exit the rectum through the anus.
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