Which of the following organs is not an accessory organ of the digestive system? (A) Pancreas (B) Spleen (C) Tongue (D) Liver
Answer (1)
To understand which organ is not an accessory organ of the digestive system, it's important to first define what accessory organs are. Accessory organs are those that assist in the digestive process but are not part of the main digestive tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Accessory Organs of the Digestive System :
Pancreas : This organ produces enzymes that aid in digestion and hormones like insulin that regulate blood sugar. It's definitely an accessory organ because it helps the digestive process without being a part of the digestive tract itself.
Tongue : The tongue helps in the mechanical breakdown of food and the formation of a food bolus, assists in swallowing, and is vital in tasting food. It's also considered an accessory organ because it aids digestion without directly passing food through it.
Liver : The liver produces bile, which helps digest fats. Though bile is stored in the gallbladder, the liver is considered an accessory digestive organ due to its significant contribution to digestion.
The Spleen : Unlike the organs mentioned above, the spleen is not involved in digestion. It is part of the lymphatic system and is primarily involved in filtering blood, recycling old red blood cells, and supporting the immune system.
Therefore, the correct option is (B) Spleen, as it is not an accessory organ of the digestive system.
