Digestive System Functions

Uvula

Protects the nasopharynx during swallowing

Oropharynx and laryngopharynx

Passageway for food from the mouth to the esophagus

Esophagus

Passageway for food to the stomach

Gastroesophageal Sphincter

Prevents reflux of stomach acid

Stomach

Mixes food with digestive enzymes to form chyme

Pyloric Sphincter

Controls the entry of chyme into the duodenum

Greater Omentum

Secures the stomach to the abdominal wall

Small Intestines

Completes chemical digestion

Circular Folds

Slows movement of chyme through the small intestine

Villi

Absorbs food molecules and allows them to enter a blood capillary

Ileocecal Valve

Controls entry of waste into the large intestine

Teniae Coli

Three bands of smooth muscle that pucker the large intestine

Haustra

Contract slowly to allow time for water absorption and move waste

Vermiform Appendix

Fights infection

Mesentery

Secures the small intestines

Liver

Produces bile, detoxifies blood, stores glycogen

Falciform Ligament

Attaches the liver to the diaphragm and abdominal wall

Gall Bladder

Stores bile

Common Hepatic Duct

Transports bile away from the liver and into the bile duct

Cystic Duct

Transports bile to and from the gall bladder

Bile Duct

Transports bile to the duodenum

Pancreas

produce digestive enzymes, hormones and pancreatic juice

Main Pancreatic Duct

Transports pancreatic juice and digestive enzymes to the duodenum

Hepatopancreatic Ampulla and Sphincter

Control the entry of bile, digestive enzymes and pancreatic juice into the duodenum

Salivary Glands

Produce saliva to fight infection, lysosomes to fight bacteria, and salivary amylase