Is excretion considered one of the functions of the digestive system?

Excretion is indeed regarded as one of the functions of the digestive system. The digestive system is primarily responsible for the breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients, and the elimination of waste products from the body. Excretion specifically refers to the process of removing indigestible substances and metabolic waste from the body.

In the context of the digestive system, this includes the elimination of solid waste through the rectum after the body has absorbed the nutrients it needs from food. The large intestine plays a crucial role in this final phase of digestion, processing leftovers from the small intestine and forming stool for excretion. Therefore, recognizing excretion as one of the digestive system's functions is essential to understanding how the body processes food and eliminates waste effectively.