Final answer:
The alimentary canal consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus, along with accessory digestive organs like the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder that secrete digestive aids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anatomy of the Alimentary Canal
The alimentary canal is a continuous tube in the human body that is part of the digestive system, starting from the mouth and terminating at the anus. The primary organs involved, in order of the passage of food, are:
- Mouth - Here, the ingestion of food occurs, and mechanical digestion begins with chewing, while chemical digestion starts with enzymes in saliva.
- Pharynx and Esophagus - These structures transport food from the mouth to the stomach using muscular movements called peristalsis.
- Stomach - It significantly breaks down proteins with acids and enzymes and turns food into a semi-liquid mixture called chyme.
- Small Intestine - This is the primary site for nutrient absorption; digestion is completed here with the help of enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver and gallbladder.
- Large Intestine - It absorbs water and salts, turns the residue from liquid to solid form, and stores feces until defecation.
- Anus - The final part of the digestive system, where solid waste is expelled from the body.
Additionally, accessory digestive organs like the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder produce digestive juices that help break down food, but food does not pass through them.