The organ in the digestive system primarily responsible for waste elimination is the

• A. Liver
• B. Small intestine
• C. Stomach
• D. Large intestine

Answer: (D)

Waste elimination hinges on reclaiming water and forming solid stool. The large intestine is where indigestible material is processed to become feces: it reabsorbs most of the remaining water and electrolytes, and it compacts the material into stool that is stored in the rectum until defecation. This step is essential for eliminating waste from the body.

The liver contributes to waste processing by metabolizing substances and secreting bile, but it does not form feces. The small intestine and stomach are primarily concerned with digestion and nutrient absorption, not the final formation and elimination of solid waste.