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

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

Those that affect the digestive system can cause diarrhoea and stomach pains, and, according to the health service, what causes them is "not fully understood".

From BBC

Previous research has demonstrated that M. Leidyi fuse within themselves whenever they need to defecate, squashing together their outer skin and digestive system fuse to form an opening— essentially creating a "disappearing anus" — yet this is the first evidence for two separate jellies becoming one.

From Salon

She also has Crohn's disease - a lifelong condition which causes parts of the digestive system to become inflamed - and has previously spoken about its toll on her health.

From BBC

She also has Crohn's disease - a lifelong condition which causes parts of the digestive system to become inflamed - and has previously spoken about its toll on her health.

From BBC