Ex 6 - Digestive system (Glossary)

Anus

The last part of the digestive tract through which undigested food passes out of the body, commonly known as waste and is responsible for expelling feces.

Bile

A secretion of the liver which aids in the digestion of fats

Bile duct

A duct which carries bile from the gall bladder to the small intestine

Cardiac valve

A valve which prevents food from passing from the stomach back up into esophagus

Carbohydrates

The main nutrient that supplies energy to the body (starch cellulose)

Cecum

“Blind gut”; located between the ileum and the large intestine

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine

Enzymes

Substances that speed up chemical reactions within the body

Esophagus

A tube which carries food from the mouth to the stomach

Fats

Energy nutrients which supplies 2.25 times as much energy as carbohydrates

Gall bladder

A sac-like structure which serves as as storage compartment for bile

Ileocecal valve

The valve separating the ileum and the cecum

Ileum

The terminal portion of the small intestine

Jejunum

The intermediate or middle portion of the small intestine

Liver

A gland in the body that performs a number of functions including the secretion of bile

Monogastric

Having only one stomach (non-ruminant)

ex:humans, dogs

Pancreas

A gland which secretes digestive juices necessary for the digestion of fats, carbohydrates and proteins

Pancreatic duct

A duct that carries secretions of the pancreas to the small intestine

Polygastric

Having more than one stomach (ruminants)

Pyloric valve

The valve separating the stomach and the small intestine

Proteins

The nutrients that supply the building materials from which body tissue and many body regulators are made

Rectum

The terminal portion of the large intestine

Saliva

A watery, mucoid secretion of the salivary glands in the mouth that lubricates the food and aids in digestion

Villi

Tiny finger-like projections located along the wall of the small intestine that aid in food absorption