digestive system

noun

1. the system by which ingested food is acted upon by physical and chemical means to provide the body with absorbable nutrients and to excrete waste products; in mammals the system includes the alimentary canal extending from the mouth to the anus, and the hormones and enzymes assisting in digestion.

digestive system

/ dī-jĕs′tĭv /

1. The alimentary canal together with the salivary glands, liver, pancreas, and other organs of digestion.

digestive system

1. The organs and glands in the body that are responsible for digestion . The digestive system begins with the mouth and extends through the esophagus , stomach , small intestine , and large intestine , ending with the rectum and anus . Other organs in this system include the liver , pancreas , gallbladder , and appendix .

Word History and Origins

Origin of digestive system¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

In their journey through the digestive system the capsule and the food came first of all to the stomach.

From Science Daily

The study also identified increased risks of mortality associated with several causes such as respiratory, circulatory and digestive system disorders; nervous system, endocrine and infectious diseases; cancers; and congenital malformations.

From Science Daily

Do you think it is their digestive systems?

From Salon

The mum-of-two said it was after she passed blood that she was sent for tests that found she had a "low-grade" neuroendocrine tumour in her digestive system.

From BBC

“However, this differs from our finding, where previously independent organisms fused in just a few hours, merging nervous and digestive systems functionally,” Jokura said.

From Salon