The digestive system helps break down food and absorb nutrients. It is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. Food is broken down by teeth in the mouth, mixed with saliva, and passes through the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, gastric juices further break down food into a thick liquid that is then absorbed in the small intestine before waste is expelled through the anus.