Organs in the Digestive System: 6 Body Parts and Their Jobs

The organs in the digestive system work together to extract and absorb nutrients from the food we eat, turning it into energy, each organ has a specific function.

Here are the organs along the path of your digestive system:

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1. Tongue
The mouth isn't an organ, but the tongue is. Digestion begins here, when teeth begin the process of chopping food into small pieces that are then mixed with saliva to help to break food down.

2. Esophagus
This long tube is where food goes after it is chewed. Here, a series of muscular contractions called peristalsis moves the food along to the stomach.

3. Stomach
Food is broken down significantly and mixed up in this muscular “sack” that contains strong acids and enzymes in its lining, says MedGuidance. The stomach lining is coated with mucous to protect its tissue from these powerful acids. Food moves to the small intestine once it is sufficiently broken down.

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4. Small intestine
According to WebMD, the small intestine is the “work horse” of the digestive system. The duodenum, jejunum, and ileum make up the small intestine and it is here that most absorption of nutrients takes place. Using secretions from both the pancreas and liver, food is broken down even further and peristalsis continues to move it along until it reaches the large intestine. The small intestine and all organs in the digestive system above it comprise the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

5. Large intestine
The large intestine and organs below it make up the lower GI tract, says WebMD. Though it contains many bends and folds, the large intestine can be up to 7 feet long. Its purpose is to process solid waste, or feces, and store it temporarily. Feces is made up mostly of undigested solid waste and bacteria.

6. Rectum
The rectum is the last stop for food in the digestive tract before it is eliminated. Its purpose is to store stool or feces and send messages to the brain. If it is convenient for the person to eliminate at that time, the brain will send a message to the rectum, allowing it to relax, making defecation easier. Otherwise, if it is not convenient, the rectum has muscles that will contract and not allow feces to pass from the body until the timing is suitable.

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