Human Anatomy - The Digestive System

Flashcards covering vocabulary relevant to the digestive system in human anatomy.

Digestive System

System responsible for breaking down food into nutrients for energy, growth, and cell maintenance.

Alimentary canal

A muscular tube that comprises the digestive tract; includes organs such as the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Peritoneum

A membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs; consists of parietal and visceral layers.

Small intestine

The longest part of the gastrointestinal tract, responsible for digestion and absorption; divided into duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Liver

An accessory organ that converts glucose to glycogen, detoxifies blood, and produces bile.

Accessory organs

Organs that assist in digestion but are not part of the alimentary canal, including the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Mastication

The process of chewing food to break it down into smaller pieces.

Peristalsis

Involuntary contractions of smooth muscle that move food through the alimentary canal.

Ghrelin

A hormone that regulates appetite and food intake.

Sphincters

Circular muscles that regulate the passage of materials between different parts of the digestive tract.

Chyme

Thick semi-fluid mass of partially digested food passed from the stomach to the small intestine.

Enzymatic secretion

Release of enzymes in the digestive system that aid in the breakdown of food.

Villi

Small finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Gastric pits

Depressions in the stomach lining that contain cells that secrete gastric juices.

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Acid produced by the stomach that aids in digestion and kills bacteria.

Intrinsic factor

A glycoprotein produced in the stomach essential for the absorption of vitamin B12.