gallbladder

a small organ in which bile is stored

villus

a single projection on the lining of the small intestine that functions in the absorption of digested food

bile

a chemical substance that helps breaks down fats

liver

a large, complex organ that produces bile and stores fat and glucose as glycogen

epiglottis

a flap of cartilage that closes over the opening to the respiratory tract as you swallow, preventing food from entering

amylase

an enzyme that begins the chemical digestion of proteins in food

pepsin

a digestive enzyme that begins the chemical digestion of proteins in food; works best in an acidic environment

pancreas

a soft, flattened gland that secretes both digestive enzymes and hormones

rectum

the last part of the digestive system from which feces is eliminated

small intestine

a muscular tube in which digestion of your meal is completed

peristalsis

a series of involuntary smooth muscle contractions along the walls of the digestive tract

stomach

muscular pouch-like enlargement of the digestive tract connected to the esophagus and small intestine

esophagus

a muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach

large intestine

a muscular tube from which water is absorbed and vitamens are synthesized