Internal Human Digestive System

Flashcards covering the key concepts of the internal human digestive system.

Stomach

A large chamber that receives liquids, solids, and semisolid foods from the esophagus, consisting of four parts: cardia, fundus, body (corpus gastricum), and antrum (pylorus). It digests food and passes chyme into the duodenum.

Chyme

Partially digested food that is passed from the stomach into the duodenum.

Gastritis

An acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach, commonly caused by the bacterium H. pylori or long-term use of NSAIDs and alcohol.

Peptic ulcer disease

A sore or opening in the inner lining of the stomach or duodenum that occurs when digestive juices damage the tissue.

H. pylori

A bacterium that lives in the stomach lining and is a common cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers.

Small intestine

A coiled, muscular tube that is divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, where most of the absorption of food takes place.

Duodenum

The first portion of the small intestine that connects to the stomach and is about 10 inches long.

Jejunum

The middle third of the small intestine, approximately 7½ feet long.

Ileum

The last and longest section of the small intestine, about 12 feet long, where most absorption occurs.

Large intestine

About 5 feet long with a diameter averaging 2.5 inches, where water is reabsorbed and unabsorbed food material is stored.

Cecum

The beginning of the large intestine that follows the ileocecal valve and has the appendix attached.

Colon

The portion of the large intestine divided into four parts: ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid.