Digestive System Medterm Review

absorption

The process by which nutrients from food are taken into the body.

amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, essential for various bodily functions.

digestion

The process of breaking down food into smaller components.

digestion

The mechanical and chemical processes that break down food.

elimination

The process of expelling waste products from the body.

enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in digestion.

fatty acids

Building blocks of lipids, important for energy and cell structure.

gastrointestinal

Relating to the stomach and intestines.

glucose

A simple sugar and primary energy source for the body.

triglycerides

A type of fat found in the body, used for energy storage.

cheeks

The sides of the face, important in mastication.

deglutition

The act of swallowing.

gums

Soft tissue covering the underlying bone that holds teeth in place.

hard palate

The bony front part of the roof of the mouth.

lips

The outer boundary of the mouth, involved in speech and food intake.

mastication

The mechanical process of chewing.

parotid gland

One of the major salivary glands located near the jaw.

periodontal membrane

Tissue that surrounds and supports teeth.

saliva

The fluid produced in the mouth that helps in digestion and lubrication.

salivary glands

Glands that produce saliva, aiding in digestion.

soft palate

The soft tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth.

sublingual gland

A salivary gland located beneath the tongue.

submandibular gland

A salivary gland located beneath the jaw.

teeth

Hard structures used for biting and chewing food.

tongue

Muscular organ in the mouth vital for tasting and swallowing food.

tonsils

Lymphoid tissues located at the back of the throat.

uvula

The small fleshy structure that hangs at the back of the throat.

Pharynx

The throat; a passage for food and air.

esophagus

The tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach.

throat

The front part of the neck containing the pharynx.

bolus

A mass of chewed food that is ready to be swallowed.

peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Stomach

A muscular organ that mixes food with digestive juices.

hydrochloric acid

An acid produced in the stomach aiding in digestion.

lower esophageal sphincter

Muscle that controls the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach.

pyloric sphincter

Muscle that controls the release of stomach contents into the small intestine.

sphincters

Circular muscles that control passageways in the digestive tract.

Small Intestine (Small Bowel)

Part of the digestive system where most digestion and absorption occur.

bile

Digestive fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats.

duodenum

The first part of the small intestine following the stomach.

gallbladder

An organ that stores and concentrates bile.

ileum

The final part of the small intestine.

jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine.

liver

An organ that produces bile and processes nutrients.

pancreas

Gland that produces digestive enzymes and hormones.

Large Intestine (Large Bowel)

The part of the digestive system responsible for water absorption and waste elimination.

anus

The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces are expelled.

appendix

A small pouch attached to the large intestine.

ascending colon

The first section of the large intestine, moving upwards.

cecum

The beginning of the large intestine.

colon

The main section of the large intestine.

defecation

The process of expelling feces from the body.

descending colon

The section of the colon that moves downward.

feces

Waste material eliminated from the body.

rectum

The final section of the large intestine, leading to the anus.

sigmoid colon

The S-shaped final section of the colon.

transverse colon

The section of the colon that runs across the abdomen.

Liver, Gallbladder, and Pancreas

Organs involved in producing and storing bile and digestive enzymes.

bilirubin

A pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells, excreted in bile.

common bile duct

A duct that transports bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.

emulsification

The process of breaking down fats into smaller droplets for digestion.

glycogen

The stored form of glucose in the liver and muscles.

insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

an/o

Combining form meaning anus.

append/o

Combining form meaning appendix.

appendic/o

Combining form relating to the appendix.

bucc/o

Combining form meaning cheek.

cec/o

Combining form relating to the cecum.

celi/o

Combining form meaning abdomen.

cheil/o

Combining form meaning lip.

cholecyst/o

Combining form meaning gallbladder.

choledoch/o

Combining form meaning bile duct.

col/o

Combining form relating to colon.

colon/o

Combining form for colon.

dent/i

Combining form meaning tooth.

duoden/o

Combining form meaning duodenum.

enter/o

Combining form relating to intestine.

esophag/o

Combining form relating to esophagus.

faci/o

Combining form relating to face.

gastr/o

Combining form meaning stomach.

gingiv/o

Combining form meaning gums.

gloss/o

Combining form meaning tongue.

hepat/o

Combining form relating to liver.

ile/o

Combining form meaning ileum.

jejun/o

Combining form meaning jejunum.

labi/o

Combining form relating to lip.

lapar/o

Combining form meaning abdomen.

lingu/o

Combining form meaning tongue.

mandibul/o

Combining form meaning mandible (lower jaw).

odont/o

Combining form meaning tooth.

or/o

Combining form meaning mouth.

palat/o

Combining form relating to palate.

pancreat/o

Combining form relating to pancreas.

peritone/o

Combining form meaning peritoneum.

pharyng/o

Combining form meaning pharynx.

proct/o

Combining form meaning rectum and anus.

pylor/o

Combining form meaning pylorus.

rect/o

Combining form meaning rectum.

sialaden/o

Combining form meaning salivary gland.

sigmoid/o

Combining form meaning sigmoid colon.