The digestive process begins in the mouth, where food is broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that start the digestion of carbohydrates. The chewed food then travels down the esophagus to the stomach, where it is mixed with gastric juices that further break it down into a semi-liquid form called chyme. Next, the chyme moves into the small intestine, where most digestion and nutrient absorption occurs. Here, enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver aid in breaking down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The remaining waste then passes into the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and the leftover material is prepared for elimination.