Digestive system. Illustration of the digestive system in a man. Digestion is the process where food is converted into a soluble form so that it can be absorbed. In the mouth (not shown) food is chewed and coated in saliva. The food is swallowed and passes down the oesophagus into the stomach (centre right) where enzymes act. Food moves into the small intestine (coiled, lower centre) where it is further digested by enzymes prior to absorption. The large intestine (bowel) absorbs water and minerals, converting undigested food to faeces. At centre left is the liver; the small gall bladder (below the liver) can also be seen.