Anatomy/Physiology #13 (2025-2026)

alimentary canal

a continuous, muscular tube extending from the mouth to the anus, responsible for handling and digesting food

uvula

small, fleshy, teardrop-shaped piece of tissue hanging down from the center of the soft palate

frenulum

a small, thin, elastic band or fold of tissue which connects two body parts and restricting their movement

sphincter

a specialized ring-shaped muscle that surrounds a bodily opening, tube, or passage

rugae

internal folds, wrinkles, or ridges of mucous membrane found in hollow organs that allow the tissue to expand and stretch

villi

projections which maximize nutrient absorption into the bloodstream from the small intestine

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

amylase

a digestive enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates

bile

a sticky, yellowish-green digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder

ingestion

the act of taking food, liquids, or medication into the body through the mouth

digestion

process of breaking down food mechanically and chemically into small, absorbable nutrients for energy

absorption

process where broken-down nutrients, water, and electrolytes move from the digestive tract into the bloodstream or lymphatic system

elimination

process of expelling waste products, toxins, and undigested food from the body to maintain homeostasis

defecation

process of expelling solid or semi-solid waste material (feces) from the digestive tract through the anus

esophageal hiatus

an oval-shaped opening in the diaphragm to allow the esophagus to pass through

mouth

begins digestion through chewing and saliva / ingestion

esophagus

tube bringing food from pharynx to stomach through peristalsis

stomach

breaks down and churns foods to create chyme

small intestine

main site for nutrient absorption

large intestine

absorbs water and electrolytes, forming solid stool

rectum

stores stool

anus

exit point for feces

liver

produces bile

gallbladder

stores bile

pancreas

produces digestive enzymes

layers of alimentary canal (innermost to outermost)

mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, serosa

digestive system functions (4)

digestion, absorption, elimination, move food through alimentary canal

parts of small intestine

duodenum, jejunum, ileum

parts of large intestine

cecum, appendix, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, anus

chemical digestion

use enzymes and acids to break bonds and turn food into absorbable nutrients

mechanical digestion

physically breaks down foods into smaller pieces

four valves

lower-esophageal, pyloric, ileocecal, anal

four types of teeh

incisors, canines, pre-molars, molars

peristalsis

involuntary muscle contractions which move waste through GI tract

three salivary glands

parotid, submandibular, subling