impar, which aids in holding food together and gus and carry the food to the stomach is guarded by of the food to be digested is held. The lower portion, Figure 23.5 The alimentary canal. Ai Anus Appendix Ascending colon Body of stomach Cecum Common blle duct Cystic duct Descending colon Duodenum Esophagus Fundus of stomach Gallbladder Hepatic duct lleum Illeocecal valve Jejunum Liver Lower esophageal sphincter Oropharynx Pancreas Pancreatic duct Parotid gland Pyloric portion of stomach Pyloric sphincter Rectum Sigmoid colon Sublingual gland Submandibular gland Transverse colon 84 Nutrient Absorption and Water Balance.