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​The cuttlefish digestive system draws parallels to our own digestive system. However, there are key elements that cephalopods have had to evolutionary change to be as successful as possible in a highly competitive aquatic environment. Below is a breakdown of all major aspects of the cuttlefish's digestive system, and digestive glands. 

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Alimentary canal 

Has subsections of foregut, midgut, and hindgut

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Foregut

Oesophagus

A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Similar to the esophagus. The muscles of the oesophagus contract to move food into the stomach

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Odontophore

Part of the mollusk phylum feeding system. This digestive organ is in the oral cavity, consisting of cartilaginous tissue. It supports a row (or ribbon) of teeth called radula. 

 

During feeding the radula becomes uncovered by the odontophore to scrape teeth against its food. The motion of continuously moving the radula in and out of the ontontophoric space produces an efficient “chewing” motion. 

 

Midgut

Stomach

The cuttlefish’s stomach has two internally connected chambers, connected by a sphincter. The first chamber of the stomach is lateral, muscular, and called the gizzard. The second chamber of the stomach is medial to e gizzard, and is called the caecum. 

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Hindgut

Intestine

Location of the stage of digestion, where broken-down food particles are finely digested, and important nutrients and vitamins are stipped from the mass and are able to enter the bloodstream and other filtering and storage organs. 

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Rectum

Shares s similar diameter as the intestine and opens in the mantle cavity through the anus. The rectal canal runs parallel and ventral to the oesophagus.

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Digestive Glands

Consists of the liver, pancreas, and salivary glands

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Salivary glands

These glands are in pairs and are located posteriorly to the cranial cartilage, each on either side of the oesophagus. They both connect through ducts medially. This “common duct” opens into the posterior aspect of the buccal cavity. The salivary glands aids in the primary digestion and breakdown of food particles. 

 

Digestive “gland” or Liver

The cuttlefish’s liver is divided into two right and left lobes, and is connected. The two lobes are located parasagittally to the oesophagus on both sides. The liver aids in the blood filtration of the cuttlefish. 

 

Digestive “gland” or Pancreas

Vesicles that surround the digestive tracts and ducts. The pancreatic duct opens into the gizzard. The function of the pancreas in the cuttlefish is to secrete enzymes that help break down consumed starches, fats, and sugars.