Who does food move thru the alimentary canal?

Food moves through the alimentary canal via a process called peristalsis, which involves rhythmic, wave-like muscle contractions. This begins in the mouth, where food is chewed and mixed with saliva, then travels down the esophagus to the stomach. In the stomach, food is further broken down by digestive enzymes and acids before moving into the small intestine, where most nutrient absorption occurs. Finally, waste products are pushed into the large intestine and eventually expelled from the body.