7.2.2
The Digestive System - The Mouth
The Mouth's Role in the Digestive System
The Mouth's Role in the Digestive System
The first stage of digestion happens in the mouth.


Chewing and mixing
Chewing and mixing
- The food is chewed by teeth.
- The food is mixed with saliva in the mouth.
- Chewing helps make the food smaller.
- Making the food smaller makes digestion easier.


Role of the tongue
Role of the tongue
- The tongue helps to move the food around the mouth.


Swallowing of food
Swallowing of food
- Food is moved to the back of the mouth when it has been chewed enough.
- The food is then swallowed.
- The food passes down a tube called the 'oesophagus'.
- The oesophagus connects the mouth to the stomach.
1Year 3: Plants
2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)
3Year 3: Rocks
3.1Rocks on Earth
4Year 3: Light
4.1What is Light?
5Year 3: Forces & Magnets
6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats
6.1Grouping Animals
6.4Grouping Plants
6.5Classification Keys
7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans
7.1Teeth
7.2Digestion
8Year 4: States of Matter
8.1The 3 States of Matter
8.2The Water Cycle
9Year 4: Sound
9.1How Do I Hear?
9.2Pitch
10Year 4: Electricity
10.1Uses of Electricity
10.2Conductors & Insulators
10.3Making Circuits
Jump to other topics
1Year 3: Plants
2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)
3Year 3: Rocks
3.1Rocks on Earth
4Year 3: Light
4.1What is Light?
5Year 3: Forces & Magnets
6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats
6.1Grouping Animals
6.4Grouping Plants
6.5Classification Keys
7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans
7.1Teeth
7.2Digestion
8Year 4: States of Matter
8.1The 3 States of Matter
8.2The Water Cycle
9Year 4: Sound
9.1How Do I Hear?
9.2Pitch
10Year 4: Electricity
10.1Uses of Electricity
10.2Conductors & Insulators
10.3Making Circuits
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