Anatomy of the Digestive System (Child)

Digestive system

• The mouth takes in food and breaks it into pieces. It starts the process of digestion.

• The esophagus moves food from the mouth to the stomach.

• The stomach breaks food down into a liquid mixture.

• The small intestine digests food further and absorbs nutrients. What’s left is passed on to the colon as liquid waste.

• The large intestine (colon) absorbs water, salt, and other minerals from liquid waste, forming a solid stool.

• The rectum stores stool until a bowel movement occurs. 

• The anus is the opening where stool leaves the body.

• The liver makes bile (a fluid that helps digest fat). It also breaks down nutrients and stores energy.

• The gallbladder stores bile.

• The pancreas makes enzymes that help with digestion.

• The appendix is a small, hollow structure that’s attached to the large intestine. It has no clear function in the body. But it can become blocked and infected.