Gastrointestinal System Overview

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the gastrointestinal system.

Gastrointestinal System

A system responsible for the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination of food.

Ingestion

The process of taking in food through the mouth.

Digestion

The mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components.

Absorption

The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken up into the bloodstream.

Elimination

The expulsion of undigested food and waste from the body.

Esophagus

A long tube-like structure that connects the pharynx to the stomach, pushing food down.

Upper Esophageal Sphincter

A muscle at the top of the esophagus that opens when you swallow.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter

A muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that allows food into the stomach and prevents acid from coming back up.

Peristalsis

The contraction and relaxation of muscles that push food down the gastrointestinal tract automatically.

Gastric Phase

The phase of digestion when food is in the stomach, involving various gastric cells.

Cephalic Phase

The phase of digestion initiated by thinking about, seeing, or smelling food.

Pyloric Sphincter

A muscle that controls the exit of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine, where mixing of chyme with bile and pancreatic secretions occurs.

Villi

Small finger-like projections lining the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Enterogastric Reflex

A reflex that signals the stomach to close the pyloric sphincter when the small intestine is full.

Bile

A yellow-green substance made in the liver to help digest fats.

Hepatic Portal Vein

The vein that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

Hyperbilirubinemia

A condition with high levels of bilirubin in the blood, leading to jaundice.

Jaundice

A yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin in the blood.

Gastrocolic Reflex

A reflex that stimulates movement in the large intestine when food enters the stomach.

Colonoscopy

A diagnostic procedure to examine the inner lining of the large intestine.

Main Functions of the Gastrointestinal System

1. Ingestion 2. Digestion 3. Absorption 4. Elimination