Digestive System Study Guide

1. List the functions of the digestive system

DATTE: digestion (chemical and mechanical), absorb, taste, transport, eliminate

2. Differentiate chemical from mechanical digestion

mechanical: physically break down food into smaller pieces, chemical: uses enzymes to break down food molecules into absorbable nutrients

3. Locate 3 salivary glands in a diagram, and describe 4 functions of saliva

glands: parotid, submandibular, sublingual, functions: aids digestion, moistens your mouth, reduces infections in the mouth and throat, and helps protect your teeth and gums

4. Describe the histology of the esophagus, and how food is transported along this tube

transport: peristalsis - muscles produce a wave-like movement to propel food and liquid along the digestive tract

5. Describe how the stomach is built so that it can perform mechanical digestion

the stomach has 3 layers of muscle that contract and change shape consistently

Rugae function

folds that allow for expansion and increased surface area

Cardiac sphincter function

an involuntary sphincter located at the bottom of the esophagus, it allows food to pass from the esophagus into the stomach and allows air to escape, keeps entrance of tube to stomach closed

Pyloric sphincter function

located between the stomach and duodenum, it regulates flow into the small intestine

7. Name and give the function of 3 stomach secretions, and describe the primary nutrient that is digested there

hydrochloric acid: kills pathogens, activates pepsinogen - pepsinogen: brakes down protein (becomes pepsin when exposed to hydrochloric acid) - mucus: prevents stomach from digesting itself

a. Greater omentum function

stores fat, protects (trauma & germs)

b. Lesser omentum function

stabilizes stomach and duodenum from the liver

c. Mesentery

anchor the small intestine to the posterior abdominal wall - support blood, lymph vessels, & nerves that supply the intestines

The 3 regions of the small intestine

duodenum, jejunum, ileum

b. Describe the special function of the duodenum

it is where most chemical digestion actually occurs, as bile and enzymes are released into it and catalyze digestion alongside enzymes

C. Describe the nutrients that are digested in the small intestine

carbohydrates, fats, proteins and absorbs water, minerals, and nutrients

Locate the 6 regions of the large intestine

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

b. List 2 functions of the large intestine

absorption of sodium and water, formation and elimination of solid waste

11. Describe the structure and digestive function of the liver

stores energy, detoxifies body, produces bile - digestion of fats, combines w/ cholesterol and produces micelles

Describe the structure and digestive function of the gallbladder

stores bile, which acts to emulsify fats

12. Describe the structure and function of the hepatic portal system

a series of veins from the small intestines that merge, delivering nutrient rich blood to the liver for filtering

13. Describe the structure and function of the pancreas

endocrine: secretes insulin to allow glucose absorption, exocrine: secrets digestive enzymes into duodenum

Cirrhosis

scarring of the liver, caused by other conditions/diseases

Diverticulitis

pockets form in the colon lining, usually due to the force to defecation, where they get inflamed and infected

Appendicitis

an inflammation of the appendix, caused by various digestive tract infections or trapped stool

Heartburn

when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus

Gallstones

hardened deposits of digestion fluid, caused by excess cholesterol and less bile salts