THE HUMAN DIGESTIVE SYSTEM – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

1. How long does food journey through the digestive system take?

2. Our teeth, tongue and salivary glands are in the mouth. Match each part to its function:
Teeth produce saliva, that helps to break down food and soften it
Tongue squeezes and shapes food into a ball to help us swallow
Salivary glands break down food into smaller pieces.

3. What prevents food from going down the windpipe (trachea)

4. Muscles in the esophagus contract to push food down the stomach. Is this a voluntary or involuntary
movement? Which part of the brain controls it?

5. What is the stomach? Why does the stomach rellease digestive juices?

6. What is the name of the “soup” that is formed in the stomach?

7. How long is the small intestine? Why is this organ so important?

8. What is the function of the large intestine?

The large intestine stores _____________, _____________ and ____________ from
________________waste.

9. What are faeces? Where are they stored? What is the name of the muscle that allows them to leave
our body?

10. What is the largest internal organ in our body? And the largest external?

11. List some important functions of the liver.

12. What is bile? Where is it stored?

13. Where is the pancreas? What is its importance?

14. What have scientists discovered about the appendix?