The function of the digestive system is to break down the foods you eat, release their nutrients, and absorb those nutrients into the body. Rather, this blood is diverted to the liver where its nutrients are off-loaded for processing before blood completes its circuit back to the heart.

Although the small intestine is the workhorse of the system, where the majority of digestion occurs, and where most of the released nutrients are absorbed into the blood or lymph, each of the digestive system organs… As is the case with all body systems, the digestive system does not work in isolation; it functions cooperatively with the other systems of the body.

liver — largest gland in the body whose main digestive function is the production of bile. liver where its nutrients — off-loaded for processing before blood completes its circuit back to the heart. small intestine — section of the alimentary canal where most digestion and absorption occurs. body — mid-portion of the stomach.

Be able to identify the organs of the alimentary canal from proximal to distal, and briefly state their function; identify the accessory digestive organs and briefly state their function; describe the four fundamental tissue layers of the alimentary canal.