Breaking down nutrients with help from the liver and pancreas Large Intestine Reabsorbing water and forming waste for excretion Step-by-Step Breakdown 1. The Starting Line: Mouth & Esophagus

Churning food with acid and enzymes into a paste called "chyme" Small Intestine

Digestion begins even before you eat; sight and smell trigger saliva production. Teeth mechanically grind food, while salivary enzymes start breaking down carbohydrates.

Once swallowed, food moves through this tube via peristalsis —rhythmic muscle contractions that push the food down. 2. The Acid Bath: Stomach Your Digestive System & How it Works - NIDDK