Digestive Glands and Enzymes

Digestive glands and accessory organs help break down food even though food does not pass through them. They add enzymes and other fluids to the digestive tract to support digestion.

The salivary glands release saliva, a fluid that contains water, mucus, and amylase. Amylase is a digestive enzyme...

Accessory digestive organs secrete enzymes and other substances into the primary digestive tract to facilitate digestion. The first of these are the salivary glands in the mouth that secrete amylase. This enzyme starts the breakdown of starches and other carbohydrates.

The remaining organs secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum wher...