Digestive System

absorption

The process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood

cardiac sphincter

opening from the esophagus to the stomach

Colon

another name for the large intestine

digestion

Breakdown of food substances into simpler forms that can be absorbed and used

epiglottis

A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and prevents food from entering.

feces

solid wastes; stool

gallbladder

A muscular sac attached to the liver that secretes bile and stores it until needed for digestion

gastric fluid

carries out chemical digestion in the stomach

gastrointestinal tract

The stomach and intestine as a functional unit.(alimentary canal)

hard palate

bony anterior (front) portion of the palate; roof of the mouth

Incisor

any one of four front teeth in the dental arch

jejunum function

absorption of small nutrient particles; middle part of small intestine

lacteal

a lymph tubule located in the villus that absorbs fatty acids

large intestine

The last section of the digestive system, where water is absorbed from food and the remaining material is eliminated from the body

liver

produces bile

microvillus

One of many fine, finger-like projections of the epithelial cells in the lumen of the small intestine that increase its surface area.

pepsin

An enzyme present in gastric juice that begins the hydrolysis of proteins

peristalsis

the process of wave-like muscle contractions of the alimentary tract that moves food along

pyloric sphincter

Controls passage of food from stomach to small intestine

saliva

The fluid released when the mouth waters that plays an important role in both mechanical and chemical digestion

soft palate

a muscular flap that closes off the nasopharynx during swallowing or speaking

stomach

large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food

ulcer

open sore on the skin or mucous membrane

villus

Fingerlike projection of the inner surface of the small intestine that functions in absorbing nutrients

ureter

A duct leading from the kidney to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

tube leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body

urinary bladder

stores urine

urine

Fluid wastes removed from the body by the kidneys