Health Science- Digestive System

Extra Credit

Alimentary Canal

The long, muscular tube that begins at the mouth and ends at the anus

Mouth

Also called the buccal cavity; receives food as it enters the body

Teeth

Special structures in the mouth that physically break down food by chewing and

grinding

Tongue

A muscular organ that contains special receptors called taste buds

Hard Palate

The bony structure that forms the roof of the mouth

Soft palate

Tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth; separates the mouth from the nasopharynx

Mouth

Also called the buccal cavity; receives food as it enters the body

Teeth

Special structures in the mouth that physically break down food by chewing and grinding

Tongue

A muscular organ that contains special receptors called taste buds

Hard palate

The bony structure that forms the roof of the mouth

Soft palate

Tissue at the back of the roof of the mouth; separates the mouth from the nasopharynx

Salivary glands

Glands of the mouth that produce saliva

Pharynx

The throat; a tube that carries both air and food

Esophagus

The muscular tube dorsal to the trachea

Peristalsis

Rhythmic, wavelike, involuntary movement of muscles

Stomach

Enlarged part of the alimentary canal; receives food from the esophagus

Small intestine

A coiled section of the alimentary canal; divided into Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum

Duodenum

The first 9–10 inches of the small intestine

Jejunum

Approximately 8 feet in length; forms the middle section of the small intestine

Ileum

The final 12 feet of the small intestine; connects with the large intestine at the cecum

Villi

Fingerlike projections that line the walls of the small intestine

Large intestine

The final section of the alimentary canal

Vermiform appendix

A small projection of the cecum in the first section of the large intestine

Colon

The main section of the large intestine

Rectum

The final 6–8 inches of the large intestine, storage area for waste

Anus

External opening of the anal canal

Liver

Largest gland in the body; an accessory organ to the digestive system

Gallbladder

A small, muscular sac located under the liver and attached to it by connective tissue

Pancreas

A glandular organ located behind the stomach

Appendicitis

An acute inflammation of the appendix

Celiac Disease

A chronic genetic immune reaction to eating gluten

Cholecystitis

An inflammation of the gallbladder

Cirrhosis

Destruction of liver cells accompanied by the formation of fibrous connective and scar tissue

Constipation

When fecal material remains in the colon too long, causing excessive reabsorption of water

Impaction

A large, hard mass of fecal material lodged in the intestine or rectum

Crohn’s Disease

A chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the digestive tract

Diarrhea

A condition characterized by frequent watery stools

Diverticulitis

An inflammation of the diverticula

Gastroenteritis

Commonly called the stomach flu; an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the stomach and intestinal tract

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus

Hemorrhoids

Painful dilated or varicose veins of the rectum and/or anus

Hepatitis

A viral inflammation of the liver

Hernia

Occurs when an internal organ pushes through a weakened area or natural opening in a body wall

Pancreatitis

An inflammation of the pancreas

Peritonitis

An inflammation of the abdominal peritoneal cavity

Ulcer

An open sore on the lining of the digestive tract

Ulcerative colitis

A severe inflammation of the colon accompanied by the formation of ulcers and abscesses