P2. Digestive System Study Plan - Anatomy and Physiology 2402

Vocabulary flashcards covering key structures, cells, enzymes, and processes involved in digestion from mouth to small intestine.

Salivary amylase

Enzyme in saliva that begins chemical digestion of starch in the mouth.

Tongue

Muscular organ that moves and pushes food around during chewing and swallowing.

Teeth

Hard structures that mechanically chop and mash food like scissors.

Bolus

Chewed-up, saliva-coated ball of food formed in the mouth for swallowing.

Phases of swallowing

The three sequential stages—voluntary, pharyngeal, and esophageal—that move the bolus toward the stomach.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscular contractions of the esophagus that propel food to the stomach.

Chyme

Soupy acidic mixture produced when the stomach churns food.

Cardia

Region of the stomach immediately below the esophageal opening.

Fundus

Dome-shaped upper portion of the stomach.

Body (of stomach)

Central, largest region of the stomach.

Pylorus

Distal stomach region that connects to the duodenum.

Gastric mucus

Protective secretion that coats the stomach wall and shields it from acid and enzymes.

Pepsin

Active protease in the stomach that breaks proteins into smaller peptides.

Parietal cells

Gastric gland cells that secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor.

Intrinsic factor

Glycoprotein produced by parietal cells that enables vitamin B12 absorption.

Chief cells

Gastric gland cells that secrete pepsinogen, the inactive precursor of pepsin.

Duodenum

First section of the small intestine where most chemical digestion begins with help from pancreas and liver.

Jejunum

Middle section of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption occurs.

Ileum

Final section of the small intestine that leads to the large intestine.

Villi

Finger-like projections lining the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Microvilli (brush border)

Microscopic projections on villi cells that further expand surface area and contain digestive enzymes.

Pancreatic & brush-border enzymes

Enzyme groups released into the small intestine that break food into absorbable molecules.

Large intestine

Section of the digestive tract following the ileum, responsible for water absorption and feces formation (the “poop path”).