The digestive system consists of the digestive tract and its associated organs. The digestive tract is a tube about 7 m (24 ft) long through which food passes while it is broken down. The tract consists of the mouth and pharynx (throat), oesophagus, stomach, the small and large intestines, and the anus. The associated digestive organs include three pairs of salivary glands, the liver, the pancreas, and the gallbladder.
From the 2010 revision of the Complete Home Medical Guide © Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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