Anatomy and Physiology II - Chapter 17 Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 17 of Anatomy and Physiology II lecture notes, focusing on the digestive system.

Digestion

The mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods into forms that cell membranes can absorb.

Alimentary Canal

The digestive system tube extending from the mouth to the anus, including organs that carry out ingestion, propulsion, absorption, and defecation.

Accessory Organs (Digestive System)

Organs that empty into the alimentary canal and aid in digestion; includes salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Salivary Glands

Secrete saliva, which contains enzymes that initiate the breakdown of carbohydrates.

Liver

Produces bile, which emulsifies fat.

Gallbladder

Stores bile and introduces it into the small intestine.

Pancreas

Produces and secretes pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes and bicarbonate ions into the small intestine.

Mouth

Responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food and begins chemical digestion of carbohydrates.

Esophagus

Uses peristalsis to push food to the stomach.

Stomach

Secretes acid and enzymes; mixes food with secretions to begin enzymatic digestion of proteins.

Small Intestine

Mixes food with bile and pancreatic juice; final enzymatic breakdown of food molecules; main site of nutrient absorption.

Large Intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes to form feces.

Mastication

The process where the mouth mechanically breaks up solid particles using saliva and prepares food for chemical digestion.

Tongue

A thick, muscular organ that occupies the floor of the mouth and nearly fills the oral cavity when the mouth is closed.

Palate

Forms the roof of the oral cavity and consists of a hard anterior part and a soft posterior part.

Teeth

The hardest structures in the body, used for mechanical breakdown of food.

Saliva

A secretion of the salivary glands that begins the digestion of carbohydrates.

Pharynx

A cavity posterior to the mouth from which the tubular esophagus leads to the stomach, functioning in swallowing.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach.

Swallowing (Deglutition)

The process of moving food from the mouth to the stomach, involving voluntary and involuntary stages.

Peristalsis

The wavelike muscle contractions that propel food through the digestive tract.

Chyme

The semifluid mass of partially digested food and digestive secretions formed in the stomach and intestine.

Pancreatic Juice

The exocrine secretion of the pancreas, containing enzymes that digest carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Bile

A substance produced by the liver that emulsifies fats, aiding in their digestion and absorption.

Emulsification

The process of breaking down large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for enzymatic digestion.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone released by the intestinal mucosa that stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release bile.

Small Intestine

The tubular organ that completes digestion of nutrients, absorbs products of digestion, and transports remaining residue to the large intestine.

Large Intestine

The part of the digestive system that absorbs water and electrolytes, forms feces, and carries out defecation.

Feces

Waste material discharged from the large intestine through the anus, consisting of undigested food, water, electrolytes, mucus, bacteria, and bile pigments.