Digestive System Vocabulary

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to the digestive system, including organs, enzymes, and processes.

Bolus

A mass of wet food created in the mouth after being coated in saliva.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme produced by salivary glands that breaks down carbohydrates into disaccharide maltose.

Peristalsis

A wave-like contraction of muscles in the esophagus that pushes food towards the stomach.

Cardiac Sphincter

A ring of muscle at the start of the stomach that acts like a valve, allowing food in and preventing it from re-entering the esophagus.

Rugae

Ridges in the mucosa of the stomach that flatten out as the stomach fills with food.

Visceral Peritoneum

The serosa of the stomach; the fibrous membrane covering the outside of the stomach.

Parietal Cells

Cells of the gastric glands that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Chief Cells

Cells of the gastric glands that secrete pepsinogen, the inactive form of pepsin.

Pepsin

Enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acid chains in the stomach.

Mucus Cells

Cells that secrete a thick layer of mucus that protects the walls of the stomach and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.

G Cells

Cells that secrete gastrin, a hormone that stimulates the release of gastric juice.

Chyme

The mixture of food and digestive juices in the stomach after the bolus has been broken down.

Pyloric Valve

A ring of muscle that keeps food from entering the small intestine from the stomach.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the mucosa of the small intestine that absorb nutrients.

Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine where digestive juices and enzymes mix to break down food.

Bile

A substance delivered by the gallbladder to the duodenum to help break down fats.

Bile acids

Acids created from cholesterol that help digest fats in the small intestine.

Common Bile Duct

The main trunk of the biliary tree, connecting the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the duodenum.

Ampulla of Vater

The joint duct where the pancreatic duct connects into the common bile duct before meeting the duodenum; acts as a reservoir for incoming bile and enzymes.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine where peristalsis continues to mix food with digestive juices.

Ileum

The last and largest section of the small intestine where most nutrients are absorbed.

Cecum

The first part of the colon that receives digested food wastes from the small intestine.

Appendix

Hangs off the end of the cecum.

Ascending Colon

The second part of the colon that absorbs water and electrolytes from food waste.

Transverse Colon

The longest part of the colon that carries food waste to the descending colon.

Descending Colon

Part of the colon that continues the process of turning food waste into poop.

Sigmoid Colon

The last part of the colon that represents the final step of turning food waste into solid mass.