Digestive System and Anatomical Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the upper and lower digestive tract anatomy, histology, secretions, pathologies, cranial nerves, and cardiac blood flow based on lecture material.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract

The tube formed by the main organs of the digestive system that extends through the abdominopelvic cavity from the mouth to the anus.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the GI tract wall, composed of three layers: an inner mucous epithelium, a lamina propria, and a muscularis mucosae.

Submucosa

The layer of the GI tract wall containing numerous glands, blood vessels, and parasympathetic nerves.

Muscularis

A thick layer of muscle tissue that wraps around the submucosa in the GI tract wall.

Serosa

The outermost layer of the GI tract wall, made up of serous membrane that is continuous with a fold called the mesentery.

Hard Palate

The anterior portion of the palate consisting of parts of four bones: two maxillae and two palatines.

Soft Palate

The muscle partition between the mouth and nasopharynx, arranged in an arch with the uvula suspended from its posterior midpoint.

Lingual Frenulum

The fold of tissue that anchors the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Ankyloglossia

A condition characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum.

Parotid Glands

The largest paired salivary glands, located between the skin and masseter muscle, which produce watery saliva containing enzymes.

Submandibular Glands

Compound salivary glands located just below the mandibular angle that contain both enzyme- and mucus-producing elements.

Sublingual Glands

The smallest paired salivary glands, located under the floor of the mouth, which produce a mucous type of saliva.

Deciduous Teeth

The set of $20$ baby teeth that appear early in life and are shed between the ages of $6$ and $13$.

Permanent Teeth

The set of $32$ teeth that replace the deciduous teeth.

Esophagus

The first segment of the digestive tube, lined with stratified squamous epithelium, extending from the pharynx to the stomach.

Chief Cells

Cells located in the gastric glands of the stomach that secrete the enzymes of gastric juice.

Parietal Cells

Stomach cells that secrete hydrochloric acid and produce intrinsic factor needed for vitamin B12 absorption.

Endocrine Cells (Stomach)

Cells in the stomach that secrete gastrin and ghrelin.

Duodenum

The uppermost division of the small intestine, shaped like the letter C and measuring approximately $25\,cm$ long.

Jejunum

The middle division of the small intestine, measuring approximately $2.5\,m$ long.

Ileum

The final division of the small intestine, measuring approximately $3.5\,m$ long.

Villi

Important modifications of the mucosal layer in the small intestine that facilitate absorption.

Vermiform Appendix

An accessory organ $8$ to $10\,cm$ long that communicates with the cecum and functions as a reservoir for beneficial gut bacteria.

Liver

The largest gland in the body, weighing approximately $1.5\,kg$, responsible for detoxification, bile secretion, metabolism, and production of plasma proteins.

Gallbladder

A pear-shaped sac $7$ to $10\,cm$ long that stores, concentrates fivefold to tenfold, and ejects bile into the duodenum.

Acinar Units

The exocrine portion of the pancreas that secretes digestive enzymes into tiny ducts uniting into the main pancreatic duct.

Pancreatic Islets

The endocrine portion of the pancreas made up of alpha cells (secreting glucagon) and beta cells (secreting insulin).

Sjögren Syndrome

An autoimmune disease in which the immune system targets the salivary and tear glands for destruction.

Mumps

An acute viral disease characterized by swelling and inflammation of the parotid gland (parotitis).

Gingivitis

General term for inflammation or infection of the gums, usually resulting from poor oral hygiene.

Periodontitis

Inflammation of the periodontal membrane or ligament that anchors the tooth to the bone of the jaw.

Leukoplakia

A precancerous change in the oral mucous membrane characterized by thickened, white, and slightly raised patches of tissue.

Malocclusion

Incorrect alignment of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches caused by missing, overlapping, or malpositioned teeth.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, producing symptoms of heartburn such as burning and pressure behind the breastbone.

Gastroenteritis

Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and intestinal tract (enteritis).

Malabsorption Syndrome

A group of symptoms resulting from the failure of the small intestine to absorb nutrients properly.

Diverticulosis

The presence of abnormal, saclike outpouchings called diverticula in the intestinal wall.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula characterized by pain, tenderness, and fever.

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or constipation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A common, chronic, noninflammatory condition of the intestine, also known as spastic colon, often caused by stress.

Hemorrhoids

Dilated veins resulting from direct irritation or increased venous pressure, often accompanying pregnancy or straining from constipation.

Proctitis

Inflammation of the rectal mucosa, which serves as a common cause of rectal bleeding.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver characterized by jaundice, liver enlargement, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, gray-white feces, and dark urine.

Cirrhosis

A degenerative liver condition that can result from hepatitis, chronic alcohol abuse, malnutrition, infection, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

Sensory cranial nerve responsible for smell.

Optic Nerve (CN II)

Sensory cranial nerve responsible for vision.

Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)

Motor cranial nerve that aids in focusing on near objects by regulating the amount of light entering the eye.

Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)

Motor cranial nerve that innervates the superior oblique muscle of the eye.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

Mixed sensory and motor cranial nerve involved in chewing and mastication; consists of ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches.

Abducens Nerve (CN VI)

Motor cranial nerve associated with vision movement and the LR6 muscle.

Facial Nerve (CN VII)

Mixed sensory and motor cranial nerve that innervates the anterior two thirds of the tongue and affects the salivary glands.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)

Sensory cranial nerve responsible for hearing and balance.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)

Mixed sensory and motor cranial nerve responsible for swallowing and the gag reflex.

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

Mixed sensory and motor 'wandering' parasympathetic nerve that decreases heart rate and innervates organs throughout the body.

Accessory Nerve (CN XI)

Motor cranial nerve that innervates the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscles.

Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)

Motor cranial nerve used for sticking the tongue out and moving it side to side.

Blood Flow of the Heart

Vena Cava -> Right atrium -> Tricuspid valve -> Right ventricle -> Pulmonary Semilunar valve -> Pulmonary trunk -> Pulmonary artery -> Lungs -> Pulmonary vein -> Left atrium -> Bicuspid valve -> Left ventricle -> Aortic Semilunar valve -> Aorta -> Vena Cava.