Anatomy unit 6 Digestion

Ingestion

consuming food

Digestion

breakdown of ingested food into smaller molecules

Metabolism

converting nutrients into raw material for energy production

Absorption

passage of nutrients into the blood

Elimination

removing indigestible wastes

Enzymes

proteins that act to break down food into smaller particles, like carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats. 

Alimentary canal

the gastrointestinal tract, from end to end, including all of the organs that food passes through

Mechanical digestion

physical breakdown of food (chewing, squishing, mashing)

Chemical digestion

food is broken down into smaller particles by enzymes & acids

Mastication

chewing

Bolus

small round mass of chewed up food

Epiglottis

flap of tissue that, when swallowing, covers the trachea; prevents food from entering the windpipe

Peristalsis

alternating waves of smooth muscle contraction in the esophagus and small intestine

Sphincter

ring of muscle that serves as an opening from one area to another

Pyloric

relating to the region where the stomach and small intestine meet

Chyme

mixture of food bolus and digestive juices that passes from stomach to small intestine

Rugae

deep folds in the interior lining of the stomach that allow expansion

Peritoneum

membrane layer that covers the abdominal wall and organs

Mesentary villi

membranous tissue that holds the abdominal organs in place and relative to each other

Microvilli

 tiny projections on the cell membrane surface of cells making up the absorptive surface in the small intestine

Bile

slimy greenish liquid that emulsifies fat; produce in the liver and stored by the gall bladder