The liver and the large intestine
Not everything in food can be digested. What the small intestine does not absorb moves to the large intestine. Here the body takes back more water, and the remaining material becomes feces, which leave the body through the anus. Meanwhile the blood from the small intestine, full of nutrients, goes to the liver. The liver is a big organ at the upper right of the abdomen. It stores some nutrients, changes some into forms the body can use, helps to break down harmful substances and makes bile, a digestive juice that helps with fats. Bile is stored in the gall bladder. Because the liver does so many jobs, we protect it by eating well and not taking medicines without a doctor’s advice.
| Organ | Main job |
|---|---|
| Large intestine | takes back water; forms feces |
| Liver | stores and changes nutrients; breaks down harmful substances; makes bile |
| Gall bladder | stores bile |
Organ cards. Make three cards: large intestine, liver, gall bladder. Write one job on each. Then use a hand to point to your upper right abdomen, where the liver is. Say one way to keep your body healthy (for example eating varied foods).