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[[File:Alimentary Canal (PSF).jpg|thumb|Alimentary Canal]]
'''Alimentary canal''' is the term used in [[zoology]] for the gut of animals. For humans in particular, see [[human gastrointestinal tract]].

The canal (or tube) is in [[bilateria]]n [[animal]]s. It carries food through [[digestion]] and [[excretion]].<ref name=Invert/> Into the tube come various digestive [[enzyme]]s. [[Gut flora]] also help digestion. Muscular movements pass the material down the tube. The gut usually has an exit, the [[anus]], by which the animal disposes of solid wastes. Some small animals have no anus and dispose of solid wastes by other means, for example through the mouth.<ref name=Invert>Ruppert E.E., Fox R.S. and Barnes R.D. 2004. ''Invertebrate zoology''. 7th ed, Brooks/Cole. ISBN 0030259827</ref> the tubular passage that extends from mouth to anus, functions in digestion and absorption of food and elimination of residual waste, and includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine

Animals that have guts are classified as either [[protostome]]s or [[deuterostome]]s, as the gut evolved twice, an example of [[convergent evolution]]. They are distinguished by the development of their [[embryo]]s. Protostomes develop their mouths first, while deuterostomes develop their mouths second. Protostome include [[arthropod]]s, [[mollusc]]s, and [[annelid]]s, while deuterostomes include [[echinoderm]]s and [[chordate]]s. 

==References==
{{reflist}}


{{biology-stub}}

[[Category:Anatomy of the digestive system]]
[[Category:Animal anatomy]]