Digestive System

Hard Palate

Hard Palate

The bony anterior part of the roof of the mouth.

Soft Palate

The soft, muscular posterior part of the roof of the mouth.

Uvula

A small, fleshy projection hanging down from the soft palate in the back of the throat.

Epiglottis

A flap-like structure at the base of the tongue that prevents food from entering the windpipe during swallowing.

Tongue

A muscular organ in the mouth that is involved in tasting, swallowing, and speech.

Teeth

Hard, calcified structures embedded in the jawbone, used for biting and chewing food.

Dentition

The arrangement, type, and number of teeth in an individual or species.

Maxilla

The upper jawbone.

Mandible

The lower jawbone.

Mastication

The process of chewing food in preparation for swallowing and digestion.

Salivary Glands

Glands that produce saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the digestion of carbohydrates.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into sugars.

Mucin

A glycoprotein that helps form mucus, providing lubrication and protection.

Food Bolus

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

Peristalsis

Involuntary muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach and facilitates the passage of food.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)

A muscular ring at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, controlling the flow of food into the stomach.

Upper Esophageal Sphincter (UES)

A muscular ring at the upper end of the esophagus that controls the entry of food into the esophagus.

Pyloric Sphincter

A muscular valve that controls the flow of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine.

Stomach

A muscular organ that stores, mixes, and partially digests food, producing chyme.

Stomach

A muscular organ that stores, mixes, and partially digests food, producing chyme.

Chyme

The partially digested food mixture that passes from the stomach to the small intestine.

Rugae

Folds or wrinkles in the mucous membrane lining the stomach that allow for expansion.

Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine, where most digestion takes place.

Liver

An organ that performs various functions, including producing bile for digestion and metabolizing nutrients.

Gallbladder

An organ that stores bile produced by the liver until it is needed for digestion.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes and insulin, playing a crucial role in digestion and blood sugar regulation.

Common Bile Duct

A duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.

Jejunum

The middle section of the small intestine, where further digestion and nutrient absorption occur.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine, where nutrient absorption is completed.

Cecum

The first part of the large intestine, connected to the ileum, where some absorption of fluids and salts occurs.

Appendix

A small, tube-like structure attached to the cecum, with a role in the immune system and gut microbiota.

Vestigial

Referring to structures or organs that have lost their original function through evolution.

Gut Flora

The community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) residing in the digestive tract, contributing to digestion and overall health.

Yoyo Diets

Repeated cycles of losing and gaining weight through various diets.

Feast/Famine

Alternating periods of overeating and under-eating.

Ascending Colon

The part of the colon that travels upward.

Transverse Colon

The part that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

Descending Colon

The part that travels downward.

Sigmoid Colon

The S-shaped segment leading to the rectum.

Rectum

The final portion of the large intestine, where feces are stored before elimination.

Anus

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

Macromolecules

Large, complex molecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

Diabetes

A chronic condition characterized by high blood sugar

Flashcard: Appendix

Small, finger-shaped organ located at the beginning of the large intestine. Function is still unclear, but it is believed to play a role in immune system function and storing beneficial gut bacteria. Can become inflamed, leading to appendicitis, which requires surgical removal.