Describe the pathway that food takes through the digestive system (starting with mouth and ending with excretion out of the body).

Digestive system:

· The mouth-the start of digestion, where the food is chewing and breaking · The pharynx - receives the food from the mouth

· The esophagus - a muscular structure which carries food to the stomach via contractions

· The stomach - sac-like organ which serves as the mixer and grinder of food, secretes acids and enzymes

· Small intestine (the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) - here, the food is broken down using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver · Large intestine (the colon, rectum, and anus) - for processing and excretion of waste.