Muscular membranous channel connecting the nasal cavity to the larynx and the oral cavity to the esophagus; it enables breathing, ingestion of food and speech.
Terminal section of the large intestine preceding the anus.
sphincter muscle of anus
Muscle ensuring the contraction and relaxation of the anus and enabling defecation.
anus
Terminal orifice of the digestive tube controlled by a sphincter enabling ejection of fecal matter.
sigmoid colon
Fourth segment of the colon; it carries waste to the rectum.
vermiform appendix
Tubular extension of the cecum; this appendage is occasionally the site of appendicitis, a severe inflammation.
cecum
Anterior part of the large intestine; it receives food particles from the ileum.
ascending colon
First segment of the colon; it absorbs water from food residue before it is excreted.
descending colon
Third segment of the colon; it stores waste before it is eliminated.
transverse colon
Second segment of the colon (middle section of the large intestine). The right colon (the ascending colon plus half the transverse colon) mainly enables absorption of water.
gallbladder
Small reservoir where bile secreted by the liver gathers before emptying into the duodenum during digestion. Bile helps in the digestion of fatty substances.
liver
Viscera secreting substances, including bile, that help digestion and break up certain toxins contained in the blood.
Each of the three pairs of organs secreting a liquid (saliva) that contains a digestive enzyme; it is used to moisten food to facilitate its ingestion.
tongue
Flexible muscular structure of the oral cavity; it helps in tasting, masticating and ingesting food, and also facilitates speech.
Narrow section of the digestive tract, about 6.5 meters long, between the stomach and cecum, where a part of digestion and food absorption occurs.
large intestine
Last wide section of the digestive tract, about 1.5 meters long, where the final stage of digestion and elimination of waste occurs; it includes the colon and the rectum.
