Exercise 6.2 The Digestive Organs #2

esophagus

long tube extending from the pharynx to the stomach

peristaltic contractions

wave-like muscular contractions that passes food through the GI tract

cardiac (lower esophageal) sphincter

at the upper opening of the stomach; muscle that lets food into the stomach when relaxed

fundus

rounded bulge at the upper end of the stomach; where most of the food to be digested is held

pyloric region

lower portion of the stomach; primary site of digestion in the stomach

body

stomach region between the pylorus and the fundus

chyme

semi-liquid food that has been mixed with gastric juice in the stomach

pyloric sphincter

sphincter that connects the stomach to the small intestine

duodenum

first 10-12 inches of the small intestine; receives bile from the liver and digestive secretions from the pancreas

common bile duct

formed where the hepatic and cystic ducts join

hepatic duct

extends from the liver to the common bile duct

cystic duct

extends from the gall bladder to the common bile duct

pancreatic duct

carries pancreatic juice from the pancreas into the common bile duct near the duodenum

gall bladder

temporary storage of bile from the liver

gallstones

form in the gall bladder if the bile contains too much cholesterol or is too concentrated

jejunum

middle section of the small intestine

ileum

last section of the small intestine

villi

tiny, finger-like projections of the intestinal mucosa; responsible for absorption

ileocecal valve

sphincter muscle located between the small and large intestine

ascending colon

portion of the large intestine that runs up the right side of the body; contains the pouch-like cecum from which the narrow appendix extends

transverse colon

portion of the large intestine that extends across the abdominal cavity below the diaphragm

descending colon

portion of the large intestine that runs downward on the left side of the abdomen

sigmoid colon

S-shaped portion of the descending colon

rectum

the final 5-6 inches of the large intestine

anus

sphincter muscle that ends the large intestine