Final answer:
The digestive tract is also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the alimentary canal. It consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, and anus. Accessory digestive organs include the salivary glands, liver, and pancreas.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternate Names for the Digestive Tract
The digestive tract is also commonly known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the alimentary canal. It begins with the mouth and ends at the anus. Along the way, the GI tract includes several major parts such as the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and the anus. Accessory organs like the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and pancreas play crucial roles in digestion, although food does not pass through them.
The alimentary canal functions to nourish the body by processing food, enabling nutrient absorption, and eventually disposing of waste. It is a continuous tube, which, while being an internal structure, is technically considered external to the body's internal environment until absorption takes place. The accessory structures are vital for the breakdown of food and the assimilation of its nutrients.