Lecture Notes on Digestion

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the digestive system to aid in exam preparation.

Digestive System

The organ system responsible for the acquisition and digestion of nutrients.

Ingestion

The intake of food and liquids into the digestive tract.

Absorption

The process of moving organic substrates, electrolytes, vitamins, and water across the digestive epithelium into the interstitial fluids.

Excretion

The removal of waste products from body fluids, a process called defecation removes feces.

Catabolism

The set of metabolic processes that break down molecules to obtain energy.

Anabolism

The set of metabolic processes that build complex molecules from simpler ones, utilizing energy.

Peristalsis

The wave-like muscle contractions that occur in the digestive tract to propel the contents forward.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the digestive tract, which includes the epithelium and lamina propria.

Submucosa

A dense layer of connective tissue that contains blood vessels, lymphatics, and possibly glands.

Muscularis Externa

The muscle layer of the digestive tract responsible for the movement of materials, consisting of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers.

Serosa

The outermost layer of the digestive tract, consisting of a serous membrane.

Salivary Glands

Glands in the mouth that produce saliva, aiding in digestion and lubrication.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

An intestinal hormone that stimulates the gallbladder to release bile and promotes enzyme secretion from the pancreas.

Intrinsic Factor

A glycoprotein produced by the stomach that is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12.

Villi

Fingerlike projections in the mucosa of the small intestine that increase the surface area for absorption.

Liver

The largest visceral organ involved in metabolism, detoxification, and production of bile.

Pancreas

An organ that has both endocrine functions (regulation of blood glucose) and exocrine functions (secretion of digestive enzymes).

Gingivae

The gums that surround the bases of the teeth.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) with the stomach.