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Accessory Organs: Liver, Pancreas, Gallbladder

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Accessory organs add secretions without food passing through them directly: the liver produces bile, the pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, and the gallbladder stores and concentrates bile.

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Bile released from the gallbladder emulsifies fats once fatty chyme reaches the duodenum.

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The liver also detoxifies blood and processes vitamins — its digestive role is only one of several functions.