The Digestive System

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the digestive system for exam preparation.

Digestion

The mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods so cell membranes can absorb them.

Alimentary canal

The tubular part of the digestive tract that connects mouth to anus, also known as the gastrointestinal tract.

Accessory organs

Organs that release substances into the alimentary canal to aid digestion, including salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the alimentary canal, made up of epithelial and connective tissue, which is absorptive and secretory.

Muscularis

The layer of circular and longitudinal smooth muscle in the alimentary canal that facilitates movement.

Segmentation

An alternating contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles in parts of the small intestine to mix food.

Peristaltic motion

Wave-like contractions that propel food through the digestive tract.

Mastication

The initial mechanical and chemical digestion process involving chewing in the mouth.

Dentition

The shape, size, and number of teeth, indicating the dietary habits of an organism.

Cementum

A tissue covering the root of the tooth, anchoring it in the jaw.

Esophagus

A straight, collapsible tube that provides a passageway for food from the pharynx to the stomach.

Pyloric sphincter

A contractile ring that controls gastric emptying into the small intestine.

Gastric juice

A mixture of mucus, hydrochloric acid, and enzymes secreted by the stomach.

Intestinal villi

Projections of the mucosa into the lumen of the small intestine that increase nutrient absorption.

Pancreatic amylase

An enzyme secreted by the pancreas that helps digest carbohydrates.

Hepatic lobules

The functional units of the liver consisting of many hepatocytes.

Gallbladder

A saclike organ associated with the liver that stores and regulates the release of bile.