The Digestive System

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the digestive system.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into nutrients.

Ingestion

The act of taking in food.

Egestion

The process of getting rid of wastes.

Peristalsis

Involuntary muscle contractions that push food through the digestive tract.

Bolus

A ball of food that is formed by the tongue in the mouth.

Chyme

The mixture of food and gastric juices in the stomach.

Villi

Small, finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Gastrointestinal tract

The digestive tract, which is a long tube where digestion and absorption occur.

Accessory organs

Organs such as the pancreas, liver, and gallbladder that aid in digestion but are not part of the digestive tract.

Bile

A fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose concentration in the blood.

Celiac Disease

A condition in which the ingestion of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine.

Diabetes

A condition characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood due to insufficient insulin or resistance to insulin.

Crohn's Disease

An inflammatory bowel disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract.

Acid Reflux

A condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort.

Appendicitis

An inflammation of the appendix that can lead to it bursting.