Where does digestion primarily begin in the human body?

Digestion primarily begins in the mouth. This is where mechanical digestion occurs through the process of chewing, which breaks down food into smaller pieces. Saliva, produced by salivary glands, contains enzymes such as amylase that initiate the chemical digestion of carbohydrates. As food is chewed and mixed with saliva, it forms a bolus that is then swallowed for further digestion.

While digestion continues in the stomach, small intestine, and esophagus, the initial steps occurring in the mouth are crucial as they set the stage for the further processing of food. The esophagus primarily serves as a conduit to transport food from the mouth to the stomach and does not play a significant role in the digestive process itself.