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Function: Acts as a valve to controls the flow of partially digested food from the stomach to the small intestine. Relevant Facts: Prevents the contents of the small intestine from flowing back into the stomach.

Function: Absorbs water and electrolytes; forms and propels feces. Relevant Facts: Includes the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. Houses beneficial gut microbiota.

Function: Participates in the gag reflex and speech. Relevant Facts: The small projection hanging from the back middle edge of the soft palate.

Function: Seals off the windpipe during eating, preventing food from entering the trachea. Relevant Facts: Flap of tissue found at the base of the tongue that acts as a switch between the larynx and the esophagus.

Function: Primary site of nutrient absorption. Relevant Facts: Consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Microvilli increase surface area for absorption.

Function: Temporary storage site for feces. Relevant Facts: Triggers the urge to defecate when stretched by fecal matter; leads to the anus.

Function: Facilitates the movement of food backward towards the oropharynx. Relevant Facts: Forms the bony anterior portion of the roof of the mouth, provides space for the tongue to move freely.

Function: Regulates passage of chyme from stomach to duodenum. Relevant Facts: The pyloric sphincter contracts and relaxes to control the flow of partially digested food.

Function: Absorbes vitamin B12 and bile salts and whatever products of digestion were not absorbed by the jejunum. Relevant Facts: Last and longest segment of the small intestine connecting to the large intestine at the ileocecal valve.

Function: Passageway for food traveling from mouth to esophagus and air to the lungs. Relevant Facts: Serves both the respiratory and digestive systems. Swallowing reflex prevents food from entering the trachea.

Function: Initial site of mechanical and chemical breakdown of food. Relevant Facts: Contains teeth for mechanical digestion and salivary glands that produce saliva containing amylase for starch digestion.

Function: Produces saliva which begins the chemical digestion of food and moistens it for easier swallowing. Relevant Facts: Three major pairs include parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands.

Function: Mechanical breakdown of food into smaller pieces. Relevant Facts: Different types of teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, and molars) have specialized functions for cutting, tearing, and grinding.

Function: Churns food to mix with gastric juices, initiating protein digestion. Relevant Facts: Produces hydrochloric acid to kill bacteria and provide acidic pH for pepsin activity.

Function: First section of the small intestine where most chemical digestion occurs. Relevant Facts: Receives chyme from the stomach along with pancreatic juice and bile, preparing food for absorption in the intestines.

Function: Transports food from mouth to stomach via peristalsis. Relevant Facts: Lined with mucous to facilitate smooth passage of bolus. Does not participate in digestion.

Function: Absorption of water and electrolytes from digested matter. Relevant Facts: First part of the colon, starts from the cecum and travels upward on the right side of the abdomen.

Function: Stores the remains of digested food that will be emptied into the rectum. Relevant Facts: Travels downward on the left side of the abdomen and is one of the last stops before feces reach the rectum.

Function: Connects the small intestine to the large intestine and begins the process of compaction. Relevant Facts: Contains the appendix and is involved in the absorption of fluids and salts that remain after digestion.

Function: Rises during swallowing to close off the nasal passages. Relevant Facts: Consists of muscle and connective tissue, preventing food from entering the nasal cavity.

Function: Produces bile for lipid digestion, detoxifies blood, and metabolizes nutrients. Relevant Facts: Largest internal organ. Bile is stored in the gallbladder before being released into the small intestine.

Function: Manipulates food for mastication and swallowing; taste perception. Relevant Facts: Muscular organ that helps in forming the bolus and contains taste receptors.

Function: Further absorption and storage of waste. Relevant Facts: The longest and most movable part of the colon that crosses the abdomen from right to left under the stomach.

Function: Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid entering the small intestine. Relevant Facts: Exocrine function secretes enzymes like amylase, lipase, and proteases.

Function: Layer of fatty tissue that drapes over the stomach and intestines, providing insulation, protection, and a store of energy fat. Relevant Facts: Known for having immunological functions and containing fat deposits.

Function: Stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. Relevant Facts: Releases bile into the small intestine, particularly after a fatty meal, aiding in lipid digestion.

Function: Possible role in immune system and gut flora. Relevant Facts: Small projection at the beginning of the large intestine that may serve as a safe haven for beneficial bacteria.

Function: Final part of the digestive system; expels feces. Relevant Facts: Controlled by internal and external sphincter muscles, allowing for defecation control.

Function: Stores fecal waste until ready to be expelled. Relevant Facts: S-shaped segment of the large intestine before the rectum that contracts to increase pressure for defecation.