The gastric system, also known as the digestive system, is responsible for breaking down food into nutrients that the body can absorb. It begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva, and continues through the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, gastric juices further digest food before it moves into the small intestine. The small intestine is where most nutrient absorption occurs, aided by enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver. Remaining waste then travels to the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and finally, it is excreted from the body.