The digestive system breaks down food into smaller components that can be absorbed and used by the body. It consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. In the mouth, teeth grind food and saliva begins breaking down starches. The esophagus transports food to the stomach through peristalsis. The stomach further breaks down food through churning and acid. Nutrients are then absorbed in the small intestine through enzymes and villi. The large intestine absorbs water before waste is expelled from the anus.