Digestive & Muscular Systems – Lecture Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key structures, functions, properties, and conditions of the muscular and digestive systems presented in the lecture notes.

Jejunum

Second segment of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption occurs.

Cecum

First segment of the large intestine; connects ileum to ascending colon.

Oral Cavity

Entry to the digestive system; location of mastication and saliva mixing.

Sigmoid Colon

S-shaped last portion of the colon that joins the rectum/anal canal.

Ileum

Third segment of the small intestine; absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts.

Esophagus

Muscular tube that transports bolus from pharynx to stomach via peristalsis.

Gallbladder

Accessory organ that stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.

Duodenum

First part of the small intestine; receives chyme, bile, and pancreatic enzymes.

Stomach

Muscular sac where food is mixed with acid/enzymes to form chyme.

Pancreas

Gland that secretes digestive enzymes and the hormone insulin.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones; produces body movement.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle of the heart wall (myocardium).

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle in walls of organs, vessels, eyes, skin.

Contractility

Muscle property: ability to shorten and generate force.

Extensibility

Muscle property: ability to be stretched without damage.

Excitability

Muscle property: ability to respond to neural or chemical stimuli.

Elasticity

Muscle property: ability to return to original length after stretching.

Origin (Muscle)

Fixed attachment point of a muscle to bone.

Muscle Belly

Thick central portion of a muscle between origin and insertion.

Insertion (Muscle)

Movable attachment point of a muscle on the bone it moves.

Agonist (Prime Mover)

Main muscle responsible for a specific movement.

Antagonist

Muscle that opposes or reverses the action of the prime mover.

Synergist

Muscle that assists the prime mover to add force or reduce undesirable movement.

Tonicity

Normal, partial muscle contraction that maintains posture (muscle tone).

Achilles Tendon

Largest tendon in the leg; attaches calf muscles to calcaneus.

Hamstrings

Muscles at back of thigh responsible for knee flexion and hip extension.

Quadriceps

Four-muscle group at front of thigh responsible for knee extension.

Biceps Brachii

Two-headed muscle at front of upper arm; flexes elbow and supinates forearm.

Triceps Brachii

Muscle at back of upper arm; primary elbow extensor.

Deltoid

Shoulder muscle responsible for arm abduction, flexion, and extension.

Pectoralis Major

Large chest muscle; adducts and flexes humerus.

Gluteus Maximus

Largest buttock muscle; extends and laterally rotates hip.

Gastrocnemius

Calf muscle; plantar-flexes ankle and flexes knee.

Rectus Abdominis

“Six-pack” abdominal muscle; flexes trunk and stabilizes pelvis.

Rotator Cuff

Group of four shoulder muscles stabilizing the glenohumeral joint.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic disorder causing widespread muscle pain and fatigue.

Muscle Strain

Stretching or tearing of muscle fibers.

Myasthenia Gravis

Autoimmune disease causing skeletal-muscle weakness.

Hydrotherapy

Therapeutic use of water for pain relief or treatment.

Dorsal Recumbent Position

Patient lies on back with knees bent and feet flat.

Prone Position

Patient lies face down.

Supine Position

Patient lies flat on the back, face up.

Prosthesis

Artificial device that replaces a missing body part.

Spasticity

Increased muscle tone leading to stiffness and spasms.

Muscle Relaxants

Drugs that reduce muscle spasm and tone.

Alimentary Canal

Continuous GI tract from mouth to anus; site of digestion and absorption.

Gastroenterologist

Physician specializing in diseases of the stomach and intestines.

Digestion

Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into absorbable molecules.

Absorption

Process by which nutrients pass into the bloodstream from the GI tract.

Elimination

Expulsion of undigested waste as feces.

Mouth

Primary organ where ingestion and mastication occur.

Pharynx

Throat; passageway for air and food, aids in deglutition.

Small Intestine

Duodenum, jejunum, ileum; primary site of nutrient absorption.

Large Intestine

Cecum, colon, rectum; absorbs water and forms feces.

Teeth

Accessory organs that mechanically break food during mastication.

Tongue

Muscular organ aiding in taste, speech, and food manipulation.

Salivary Glands

Parotid, submandibular, sublingual glands secreting saliva.

Liver

Largest gland; produces bile, detoxifies blood, stores glycogen.

Parotid Gland

Largest salivary gland located near the ear.

Submandibular Gland

Salivary gland beneath the lower jaw.

Sublingual Gland

Salivary gland under the tongue.

Mastication

Chewing; mechanical breakdown of food.

Deglutition

Swallowing; movement of bolus from mouth to stomach.

Bolus

Mass of chewed food ready to be swallowed.

Epiglottis

Flap that prevents food from entering the windpipe during swallowing.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the GI tract.

Chyme

Semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food and gastric juices.

Function of Large Intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes; forms and expels feces.

Bile

Digestive fluid that emulsifies fats; stored in gallbladder.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, often viral.

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of skin/eyes due to high bilirubin.

Acholecystography

Radiographic imaging test of the gallbladder.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver scarring impairing function.

Anabolism

Metabolic pathway that builds larger molecules from smaller ones.

Catabolism

Metabolic pathway that breaks down molecules to release energy.

Dyspepsia

Indigestion or upset stomach.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Emesis

Vomiting.

Halitosis

Bad breath.

Postprandial

Occurring after eating.

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the entire colon.

Colostomy

Surgical opening of the colon to the abdominal wall.

Crohn’s Disease

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any GI segment.

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammation limited to colon and rectum.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease; acid backflow into esophagus.

IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome; functional disorder of large intestine.