Digestive System Vocabulary

Flashcards containing vocabulary terms related to the digestive system, their definitions and key concepts.

absorption

Passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.

amino acids

Small building blocks of proteins; released when proteins are digested.

amylase

Enzyme secreted by the pancreas and salivary glands to digest starch.

anus

Terminal end or opening of the digestive tract to the outside of body.

appendix

Blind pouch hanging from the cecum.

bile

Digestive juice made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder; breaks up large fat globules.

bilirubin

Pigment released by the liver in bile.

bowel

Intestine.

canine teeth

Pointed, dog-like teeth next to the incisors.

cecum

First part of the large intestine.

colon

Consists of the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid segments.

common bile duct

Carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.

defecation

Elimination of feces from the digestive tract through the anus.

deglutition

Swallowing.

dentin

Primary material found in teeth.

digestion

Breakdown of complex foods to simpler forms.

duodenum

First part of the small intestine; measures 12 inches long.

elimination

Act of removal of materials from the body.

emulsification

Physical process of breaking up large fat globules into smaller globules.

enamel

Hard, outermost layer of a tooth.

enzyme

Chemical that speeds up reactions between substances; enzyme names end in -ase.

esophagus

Tube connecting the throat to the stomach.

fatty acids

Substances produced when fats are digested; a category of lipids.

feces

Solid wastes; stool.

gallbladder

Small sac under the liver; stores bile.

glucose

Simple sugar.

glycogen

Starch; glucose is stored in the form of glycogen in liver cells.

hydrochloric acid

Substance produced by the stomach; necessary for digestion of food.

ileum

Third part of the small intestine.

incisor

One of four front teeth in the dental arch.

insulin

Hormone produced by endocrine cells of the pancreas.

jejunum

Second part of the small intestine.

lipase

Pancreatic enzyme needed to digest fats.

liver

Large organ located in the RUQ of the abdomen; secretes bile.

lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Ring of muscles between the esophagus and stomach.

mastication

Chewing.

molar teeth

Sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the middle.

palate

Roof of the mouth.

pancreas

Organ under the stomach; produces insulin and enzymes.

papillae (singular: papilla)

Small, nipple-like elevations on the tongue.

parotid gland

Salivary gland within the cheek, just anterior to the ear.

peristalsis

Rhythmic contractions of the tubular organs.

pharynx

Throat, the common passageway for food from the mouth.

portal vein

Large vein bringing blood to the liver from the intestines.

protease

Enzyme that digests protein.

pulp

Soft tissue within a tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels.

pyloric sphincter

Ring of muscle at the end of the stomach, near the duodenum.

pylorus

Distal region of the stomach, opening to the duodenum.

rectum

Last section of the large intestine, connecting to the anus.

rugae

Ridges on the hard palate and the wall of the stomach.

saliva

Digestive juice produced by salivary glands; contains the enzyme amylase.

salivary glands

Parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands.

sigmoid colon

Fourth and last, S-shaped segment of the colon.

sphincter

Circular ring of muscle that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening.

stomach

Muscular organ that receives food from the esophagus.

triglycerides

Fat molecules composed of three parts fatty acids and one part glycerol.

uvula

Soft tissue hanging from the middle of the soft palate.

villi (singular: villus)

Microscopic projections in the wall of the small intestine that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

append/o, appendic/o

Combining forms meaning appendix.

bucc/o

Combining form meaning cheek.

celi/o

Combining form meaning belly or abdomen.

cheil/o

Combining form meaning lip.

cholecyst/o

Combining form meaning gallbladder.

choledoch/o

Combining form meaning common bile duct.

col/o, colon/o

Combining forms meaning colon.

dent/i

Combining form meaning tooth.

duoden/o

Combining form meaning duodenum.

enter/o

Combining form meaning intestines.

esophag/o

Combining form meaning esophagus.

faci/o

Combining form meaning face.

gastr/o

Combining form meaning stomach.

gingiv/o

Combining form meaning gums.

gloss/o

Combining form meaning tongue.

hepat/o

Combining form meaning liver.

ile/o

Combining form meaning ileum.

jejun/o

Combining form meaning jejunum.

labi/o

Combining form meaning lip.

lapar/o

Combining form meaning abdomen.

lingu/o

Combining form meaning tongue.

mandibul/o

Combining form meaning lower jaw.

odont/o

Combining form meaning tooth.

or/o

Combining form meaning mouth.

palat/o

Combining form meaning palate.

pancreat/o

Combining form meaning pancreas.

peritone/o

Combining form meaning peritoneum.

pharyng/o

Combining form meaning throat.

proct/o

Combining form meaning anus and rectum.

pylor/o

Combining form meaning pyloric sphincter.

rect/o

Combining form meaning rectum.

sialaden/o

Combining form meaning salivary gland.

sigmoid/o

Combining form meaning sigmoid colon.

stomat/o

Combining form meaning mouth.

uvul/o

Combining form meaning uvula.

amyl/o

Combining form meaning starch.

bil/i

Combining form meaning gall or bile.

bilirubin/o

Combining form meaning bilirubin (bile pigment).

chol/e

Combining form meaning gall or bile.

chlorhydr/o

Combining form meaning hydrochloric acid.

gluc/o

Combining form meaning sugar.

glyc/o

Combining form meaning sugar.