Digestion_2024W1-POST

Digestive System

The system responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and removing waste.

Ingestion

The process of taking food into the digestive system.

Absorption

The uptake of digested food molecules through the epithelial cells into the blood or lymph.

Alimentary Canal

The whole passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food by enzymes into smaller molecules.

Microbial Digestion

The breakdown of food by microorganisms, often occurring in a specialized chamber like the caecum.

Buccal Cavity

The mouth area where ingestion occurs and structures for feeding and swallowing are located.

Pharynx

The muscular tube that connects the buccal cavity to the esophagus.

Esophagus

The muscular tube that transports food from the pharynx to the stomach.

Salivary Glands

Glands that produce saliva which contains enzymes and mucus for digestion.

Diphyodont

A dentition pattern where only two sets of teeth develop during a lifetime.

Polyphyodont

A dentition pattern where teeth are continuously replaced throughout the life.

Homodont

Teeth that are all of the same type or shape.

Pyloric Caeca

Structures in some fish that aid in digestion and absorption at the junction of the stomach and small intestine.

Caecum

A pouch connected to the junction of the small and large intestines, involved in fermentation and absorption.

Defecation

The process of excreting undigested waste material from the digestive tract.

Rugae

Folds in the stomach lining that allow for expansion and increase surface area for digestion.

Villi

Tiny projections on the lining of the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Microvilli

Even smaller projections on individual epithelial cells of the small intestine, further increasing absorption surface area.