digestive sustem

What is scurvy and its cause?

Scurvy affects the entire body and is caused by a lack of collagen.

What is dysphagia and where does it occur?

Dysphagia occurs in the mouth and is characterized by difficulty swallowing.

What is acid reflux and what causes it?

Acid reflux occurs in the esophagus when stomach acid splashes back into it, causing a burning sensation commonly known as heartburn.

What is jaundice and what is its cause?

Jaundice affects the liver, eyes, and skin, and occurs when the liver fails to clear bilirubin.

What is celiac disease and its effect?

Celiac disease affects the small intestine, damaging villi and leaving the body unable to absorb essential nutrients.

What is appendicitis and how does it occur?

Appendicitis occurs in the appendix when it is infected or inflamed.

What is tonsillitis (not a disease) and where does it occur?

Tonsillitis occurs in the middle part of the throat (oropharynx) and is characterized by inflammation of the tonsils.

What is the role of amylase?

Amylase assists in carbohydrate digestion by breaking down starches into sugar, produced in saliva (salivary amylase) and the pancreas (pancreatic amylase).

What is the role of pepsin?

Pepsin breaks down proteins and is found in the stomach.

What is the role of maltase?

Maltase breaks down maltose (malt sugar) into glucose that the body absorbs for energy, and is located at the brush border of the small intestine.

What is the role of lipase?

Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol, produced by the pancreas (pancreatic lipase) and the stomach (gastric lipase).

What is the function of the mouth in digestion?

The mouth begins digestion through chewing and mixing food with saliva (chemical and mechanical processes).

What is the role of the esophagus in digestion?

The esophagus moves food to the stomach through mechanical action.

What does the stomach do in digestion?

The stomach stores and breaks down food using both chemical and mechanical processes.

What is the function of the liver in digestion?

The liver functions to create bile, which aids in digestion.

What is the role of the gallbladder?

The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver.

What does the pancreas secrete and its function?

The pancreas secretes insulin and plays a role in breaking down sugar.

What is the role of the small intestine in digestion?

The small intestine absorbs nutrients after food has been broken down.

What is the role of the large intestine?

The large intestine secretes mucus, reabsorbs water, and contains bacteria to aid in digestion, but does not produce digestive enzymes.

What is peristalsis?

Peristalsis is the motion of the esophagus that pushes food down the tube.

What is lactase and its significance?

Lactase is an enzyme that babies have to break down milk sugar lactose into glucose, which adults usually do not have.

What are the major salivary glands?

The major salivary glands include the parotid gland, submandibular gland, and sublingual gland.