GI Tract Accessory Organs Key Terms

canine teeth

pointed, dog-like teeth lateral to the incisors, used to hold prey, bite, rip, and tear.

incisor teeth

The four teeth located anteriorly from the midline on each jaw, used for cutting.

Pre-molars

Teeth located lateral to the canine teeth, wider teeth used to crush and grind food

Molars

teeth located in the posterior jaw. Wide, board teeth used to grind food.

paratoid salivary gland

salivary gland within the cheek, just anterior to the ear

submandibular salivary gland

a salivary gland inside the lower jaw on either side of the month.

sublingual gland

smallest of major salivary glands, found under the tongue

liver

A large solid organ that lies in the right upper quadrant immediately below the diaphragm; it produces bile, stores glucose for immediate use by the body, and produces many substances that help regulate immune responses.

cystic duct

Duct leading from the gallbladder to the common bile duct; carries bile

hepatic duct

The duct that leads from the liver to the common bile duct; transports bile.

common bile duct

carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum

Bile

a bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion and is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

gall bladder

An organ found inferior to the liver that stores bile and releases it as needed into the small intestine

Pancreas

An organs in the abdominal cavity with two roles. The first is an exocrine role: to produce digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The second is an endocrine role: to secrete insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.

pancreatic duct

The main duct of the pancreas. The pancreatic duct carries the exocrine secretions of the pancreas (enzymes and bicarbonate) to the small intestine (dueodenum).

alpha cells of pancreas (endocrine)

secrete glucagon in response to low levels of blood glucose. Glucagon increase blood glucose levels by promoting its release from cells into the bloodstream.

acrinar cells (exocrine)

produce digestive pancreatic enzymes that travel through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum.

beta cells of pancreas (endocrine)

secrete insulin in response to high levels of glucose. Insulin decreases blood glucose by promoting its uptake into body cells