The digestive system extends from the mouth to the anus and is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and accessory organs like the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Food is broken down mechanically by teeth and chemically through secretions like saliva and bile before nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine and waste is expelled from the anus.