Digestive System of Leech
How the Leech Digests Food
The digestive system of the leech starts with the blood that it has sucked going down the leeches esophagus and landing in the crop. The blood stays in the crop for a while which during this time is used for nutrients. Excess water in the blood passes through the nephridia which releases it out the body. While this is happening the blood continues down toward the gizzard where it is mechanically digested and passes the waste into the intestine. Finally the waste exits the body through the anus.