Digestive System, Vibha Anand, HBS

What is the alimentary canal?

The alimentary canal is a continuous tube running from the mouth to the anus through which food passes and is processed.

What are the two types of glands in the body?

The two types of glands are endocrine glands and exocrine glands.

What are exocrine glands?

Exocrine glands are glands that secrete substances through ducts to the outside of the body or into body cavities.

What are the accessory exocrine glands of the digestive system?

The accessory exocrine glands include the salivary glands, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver.

What is special about the pancreas?

The pancreas has both exocrine and endocrine functions; it secretes digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

What is digestion?

Digestion is the process by which food is broken down into smaller components that can be absorbed by the body.

What is absorption?

Absorption is the process of taking in nutrients from digested food into the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

What is egestion?

Egestion is the process of expelling undigested waste from the body.

What are food residues?

Food residues are the indigestible remnants of food that are expelled from the body.

What are the four major types of organic compounds?

carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

What are the divisions of the alimentary canal?

mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.

What is fauces?

the opening between the oral cavity and the oropharynx.

What is the superior labial frenulum?

fold of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums

What is the inferior labial frenulum?

fold of tissue that connects the lower lip to the gums.

What are the three parts of the tooth?

crown, neck, and root.

What is enamel?

hard, outer layer of a tooth that protects it from decay.

What are the two parts of the crown?

The anatomical crown and the clinical crown.

What is a root canal?

procedure to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth.

What is the occlusal surface of the crown?

the top part of the tooth that comes into contact with opposing teeth

What are cusps?

pointed or rounded projections on the occlusal surfaces of teeth.

What are incisors?

front teeth primarily used for cutting food.

What are canines?

pointed teeth located next to the incisors that are used for tearing food.

What are premolars?

transitional teeth located between canines and molars, used for grinding food.

What are molars?

large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding and chewing food.

What are deciduous teeth?

Deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth, are temporary teeth that develop in young children.

When do baby teeth come in?

6 months

How many total baby teeth are there?

20

When do baby teeth fall out?

6 years

How many total adult teeth are there?

32

What material are the teeth made up of?

enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum.

What is the pulp cavity?

the inner part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.

What are dental caries?

Dental caries, also known as cavities, are areas of decay on teeth caused by bacterial activity.

What is gingivitis?

inflammation of the gums, often caused by plaque buildup.

What is pyorrhea?

Pyorrhea, also known as periodontitis, is a severe gum disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

An impacted wisdom tooth is a third molar that does not fully emerge due to lack of space or improper positioning.

What is mastication?

Mastication is the process of chewing food to break it down into smaller pieces.

What is deglutition?

Deglutition is the act of swallowing food or liquid.

What are the chemoreceptors on the tongue?

Chemoreceptors on the tongue are specialized cells that enable the perception of taste.

What are the three types of tonsils?

The three types of tonsils are palatine tonsils, pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids), and lingual tonsils.

What are adenoids?

Adenoids are masses of lymphatic tissue located behind the nose, part of the immune system.

What type of tissue is inside the tonsils?

lymphoid tissue.

What are immunoglobulins?

antibodies produced by plasma cells to help fight infections.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils, usually due to infection.

What is a tonsillectomy?

A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils.

Where are the parotid salivary glands?

are located near the ears, each situated in front of the ear.

What are mumps?

Mumps is a viral infection that primarily causes swelling of the parotid salivary glands.

What is the function of saliva?

aids in digestion and keeps the mouth moist; it contains enzymes that begin the breakdown of food.

What are the two parts of the palate?

hard palate and the soft palate.

What is the pharynx?

he pharynx is the muscular tube that connects the mouth and nasal cavity to the esophagus.

oropharynx

part of the pharynx located behind the oral cavity.

laryngopharynx

The laryngopharynx is located below the oropharynx and leads to the larynx and esophagus.

What is a bolus?

mass of food that has been chewed and is ready to be swallowed.

epiglottis

prevent food from entering the trachea during swallowing.

esophagus

muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach.

peristalsis

wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Where is the stomach located?

upper abdomen, between the esophagus and the small intestine.

What is acid reflux?

condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and discomfort.

What are the three parts of the stomach?

fundus, body, and pylorus.

What is the gastroesophageal sphincter?

muscular valve that prevents the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

What is the pyloric sphincter?

valve that regulates the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

What is the greater curvature of the stomach?

the larger, longer curve along the outer edge of the stomach

What is the lesser curvature of the stomach?

shorter curve along the inner edge of the stomach.

What are the functions of the greater omentum?

provides insulation, storage of fat, and immune support to the abdominal organs.

What is chyme?

semi-liquid mixture of food and digestive juices that moves from the stomach to the small intestine.

Where is hydrochloric acid created?

stomach by the parietal cells.

Where is pepsinogen created?

stomach by the chief cells.

What does pepsin do?

enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides in the stomach.

What substances are normally absorbed through the stomach?

Water, alcohol, and certain medications

What is a gastric ulcer?

sore that develops on the lining of the stomach due to the erosion from stomach acid.

What are gastric ulcers caused by?

Helicobacter pylori infection, excessive use of NSAIDs, and excessive alcohol consumption.

What is flatulence?

accumulation of gas in the digestive system that leads to the release of gas from the rectum.

What is pyloric stenosis?

condition where the pyloric sphincter is abnormally thickened, obstructing food movement into the small intestine.

How long is the small intestine?

6 to 7 meters long.

What are the three parts of the small intestine?

duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

What function happens in the duodenum?

most chemical digestion occurs, with the help of bile and pancreatic juices.

What is the function of the jejunum and ileum?

responsible for nutrient absorption.

What are lacteals?

specialized lymphatic vessels in the small intestine that absorb dietary fats

What is the function of the microvilli in the small intestine?

increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients

Where is bile produced?

liver

Where is bile stored?

gallbladder

What does bile contain?

bile salts, bilirubin, cholesterol, and various electrolytes.

What is the function of bile?

emulsify fats, aiding in their digestion and absorption

What is the large intestine?

final part of the digestive system, responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes

What is the ascending colon?

first section of the large intestine that goes upward from the cecum.\

hat is the transverse colon?

part of the large intestine that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

What is the descending colon?

part of the large intestine that descends on the left side of the abdomen

What is the sigmoid colon?

S-shaped last part of the colon that leads into the rectum

What is the rectum?

final section of the large intestine, ending at the anus

What is the anus?

opening at the end of the digestive tract through which waste exits the body.

What are sacculations on the large intestine called?

haustra

What is the main function of the large intestine?

absorb water and electrolytes; it also stores and expels waste.

What bacteria is commonly found in the large intestine?

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

What is the function of the appendix?

gut immunity.

What does vermiform mean?

'worm-shaped'. It often describes the shape of the appendix.

What are the two anal sphincters?

internal anal sphincter and the external anal sphincter

What is diarrhea?

condition of having frequent and liquid bowel movements.

What is constipation?

condition of having infrequent or difficult bowel movements.

What is ulcerative colitis?

chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers in the colon.

What is diverticulitis?

inflammation or infection of pouches (diverticula) that can form in the walls of the colon.

What is colo-rectal cancer?

type of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum.