key term - Accessory digestive organ

Definition

Accessory digestive organs are organs that support the digestive system by producing enzymes and other substances necessary for digestion but do not directly participate in the passage of food. These include the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, which play critical roles in breaking down food components outside the main digestive tract.

Related terms

Bile:

A greenish liquid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that helps break down fats during digestion.

Pancreatic Juice:

A fluid secreted by the pancreas containing enzymes that aid in digesting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine.

Enzymes:

Proteins that catalyze (speed up) biochemical reactions in the body, including those involved in breaking down food molecules during digestion