Food passes down the throat, down through a muscular
tube called the esophagus, and into the stomach, where
food continues to be broken down. The partially digested
food passes into a short tube called the duodenum (first part
of the small intestine). The jejunum and ileum are also part
of the small intestine. The liver, the gallbladder, and the
pancreas produce enzymes and substances that help with
digestion in the small intestine.
• The last section of the digestive tract is the large intestine,
which includes the cecum, colon, and rectum. The appendix
is a branch off the large intestine; it has no known function.
Indigestible remains of food are expelled through the anus.