Anatomy of the Digestive System

Chapters 5 & 6

Villi

Microscopic projections in the wall of the small intestine that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream

Uvula

Soft tissue hanging from the middle of the soft palate

Stomach

Muscular organ that receives food from the esophagus

Salivary Glands

Parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands that excrete saliva

Rugae

Ridges on the hard palate and the wall of the stomach

Pyloric Sphincter

Ring of muscle at the end of the stomach, near the duodenum; opens when a wave of peristalsis passes over it

Pulp

Soft tissue within a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels

Pharynx

Throat, the common passageway for food from the mouth and for air from the nose

Peristalsis

Rhythmic contractions of the tubular organs

Papillae

Small, projection on the tongue

Pancreas

Organ behind the stomach; produces insulin and enzymes

Mastication

chewing

Liver

Large organ located in the RUQ of the abdomen; secretes bile; stores sugar, iron, and vitamins; produces blood proteins; filters out toxins

Ileum

Third part of the small intestine

Gallbladder

Small sac under the liver; stores bile

Feces

Solid wastes; stool

Esophagus

Tube connecting the throat to the stomach

Duodenum

First part of the small intestine; 12in long

Deglutition

swallowing

Colon

Consists of the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid segments (large intestine)

Cecum

First part of the large intestine

Bile

Digestive juice made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder; breaks up large fat globules; composed of bile pigments, cholesterol, and bile salts

Appendix

Blind pouch hanging from the cecum

Anus

Terminal end or opening of the digestive tract to the outside of body

Absorption

Passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream