digestive

Ascending colon

First main part of the large intestine, which passes upward from the cecum on the right side of the abdomen.

Deglutition:

Is the transport of a bolus of food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. Swallowing of the food bolus.

Descending colon

Part of the large intestine that passes downward on the left side of the abdomen toward the rectum.

Duodenum

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine. It is located between the stomach and the middle part of the small intestine, or jejunum.

Enzyme

Substance that chemically breaks down food.

Epiglottis:

Prevents food from entering the respiratory system.

Esophageal Sphincter

Prevents reflux of food back into the esophagus.

Illeum

The ileum absorbs any remaining nutrients that did not get absorbed by the duodenum or jejunum, in particular vitamin B12, as well as bile acids that will go on to be recycled.

Jejunum:

The primary function of the jejunum is to absorb sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Pancreas:

Large gland behind the stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Embedded in the pancreas are the islets of Langerhans, which secrete into the blood the hormones insulin and glucagon.

Peristalsis

Contractions of muscle in the esophagus, moving food bolus through the gastric sphincter to the stomach.

Pyloric sphincter

Serves as a gateway between the stomach and the small intestine.

Rectum:

The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus.

Sigmoid colon

S-shaped last part of the large intestine, leading into the rectum.

Stomach

Muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen that receives food from the esophagus.

Transverse colon:

Middle part of the large intestine, passing across the abdomen from right to left below the stomach.

Alimentary Canal

Long tube from mouth to anus that digests and moves food; about 15–23 feet long

Peristalsis

Wave-like smooth muscle contractions that push food through the digestive tract

Mouth

Beginning of digestion where food is chewed and mixed with saliva

Mastication

Chewing food into smaller pieces

Mucous Membrane

Moist lining inside digestive organs that protects and lubricates

Accessory Organs

Structures that help digestion but food does not pass through them; includes tongue, teeth, salivary glands, pancreas, liver, gallbladder

Salivary Glands

Glands that release saliva into the mouth

Parotid Glands

Largest salivary glands located near the cheeks

Sublingual Glands

Salivary glands located under the tongue

Submandibular Glands

Salivary glands located below the jaw

Salivary Amylase

Enzyme in saliva that starts carbohydrate digestion

Amylase

Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates

Bolus

Small round ball of chewed food ready to be swallowed

Deglutition

Another word for swallowing

Pharynx

Throat region that pushes food into the esophagus

Epiglottis

Cartilage flap that closes the airway during swallowing

Esophagus

Tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach

Lower Esophageal Sphincter

Ring-like muscle that opens to let food enter the stomach

Stomach

Muscular organ that churns food and mixes it with digestive juices

Cardiac Region

Area where food enters the stomach

Fundus

Upper rounded part of the stomach

Body of Stomach

Main middle region of the stomach

Pylorus

Lower part of the stomach leading to the small intestine

Greater Curvature

Larger outer curve of the stomach

Smaller inner curve of the stomach

Lesser Curvature

Rugae

Folds inside the stomach lining that allow expansion

Chyme

Pasty mixture of partially digested food and stomach juices

Pyloric Sphincter

Muscle controlling movement of chyme into the duodenum

Duodenum

First part of the small intestine where most chemical digestion occurs

Jejunum

Middle section of the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed

Ileum

Last section of the small intestine that absorbs remaining nutrients

Ileocecal Valve

Valve controlling movement from small intestine to large intestine

Cecum

First part of the large intestine

Appendix

Small pouch attached to the cecum that stores helpful bacteria

Ascending Colon

Part of large intestine that travels upward on the right side

Transverse Colon

Part of large intestine that crosses the abdomen

Descending Colon

Part of large intestine traveling downward on the left side

Sigmoid Colon

S-shaped part of the large intestine leading to the rectum

Rectum

Stores feces before elimination

Anus

Opening where feces leave the body

Mechanical Digestion

Physical breakdown of food, such as chewing

Chemical Digestion

Process where enzymes chemically break food into smaller molecules

Gastrin

Hormone that controls stomach secretions

Parasympathetic Nervous System

“Rest and digest” system that promotes digestion and gastrin release

Pepsinogen

Inactive stomach enzyme that becomes pepsin

Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)

Strong stomach acid that activates pepsinogen

Pepsin

Enzyme that digests proteins in the stomach

Gastric Lipase

Enzyme in the stomach that digests fats

Intrinsic Factor

Substance that helps absorb vitamin B12

Secretin

Hormone released by the duodenum that stimulates pancreatic secretions

Pancreatic Duct

Tube connecting the pancreas to the duodenum

Trypsin

Pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins

Chymotrypsin

Pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins

Pancreatic Lipase

Pancreatic enzyme that digests fats

Pancreatic Amylase

Pancreatic enzyme that digests carbohydrates

Bicarbonate Ions

Substances released by the pancreas that neutralize stomach acid

Alkaline Environment

Less acidic environment where digestive enzymes work best

Liver

Organ that produces bile

Bile

Substance that emulsifies fats to help digestion

Gallbladder

Organ that stores bile

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

Hormone that tells the gallbladder to release bile

Common Bile Duct

Tube carrying bile into the duodenum

Emulsification

Breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets

Lipases

Enzymes that digest fats

Proteases

Enzymes that digest proteins

Maltase

Enzyme that breaks maltose into simple sugars

Lactase

Enzyme that breaks down lactose

Sucrase

Enzyme that breaks down sucrose

Intestinal Villi

Tiny finger-like projections that increase absorption surface area

Brush Border

Microvilli-covered surface that increases absorption in the small intestine

Plicae Circularae

Circular folds that increase small intestine surface area

Large Intestine

Part of digestive tract that absorbs water and electrolytes

Haustra

Pouch-like structures in the large intestine

Tenia Coli

Smooth muscle bands that help move material through the large intestine

Defecation Reflex

Reflex that causes elimination of feces