Which organ is primarily responsible for breaking down fats?

The pancreas plays a vital role in breaking down fats through the secretion of digestive enzymes. It produces pancreatic lipase, which is specifically responsible for the digestion of lipids (fats) in the small intestine. This enzyme breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, making it easier for the body to absorb these nutrients.

While the liver produces bile, which aids in fat digestion and absorption by emulsifying fats, it does not directly break down fats. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine when needed, but it is not involved in the enzymatic breakdown of fat. The stomach primarily functions in the mechanical digestion of food and the initial stages of protein digestion through gastric juices, but it is not specifically designed for fat breakdown.

Thus, the pancreas is correctly identified as the organ primarily responsible for the enzymatic breakdown of fats, highlighting its crucial function in the digestive system.