Digestive System Anatomy and Physiology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system.

Mucosa

The innermost layer of the digestive tract, consisting of epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis.

Submucosa

The layer that supplies vascular vessels and serves as a protective layer without subdivisions.

Muscularis Externa

A layer of the digestive tract that has two subdivisions (circular and longitudinal layers) involved in the churning and mixing of food.

Serosa

The outermost layer of the digestive tract that provides protection and fluid to reduce friction.

Alimentary Canal

The complete tube-like digestive system that extends from the mouth to the anus, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Chyme

The liquid mixture of partially digested food that exits the stomach and enters the duodenum.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

The type of epithelial tissue in the esophagus that is easily replaced due to abrasion.

Simple Columnar Epithelium

The epithelial tissue in the stomach that produces mucus and protects against acid.

Colon vs. Large Intestine

The large intestine includes the colon, cecum, appendix, rectum, and anal canal.

Payer's Patches

Large collections of lymphoid tissue found in the submucosa of the small intestine, particularly in the ileum.

Gastrin

A hormone produced by the stomach mucosa that increases hydrochloric acid production.

Secretin

A hormone produced by intestinal mucosa that stimulates the pancreas and liver to release bicarbonate-rich fluid.

Cholecystokinin (CCK)

A hormone produced by intestinal mucosa that stimulates the release of enzymes from the pancreas and causes gallbladder contraction.

Hydrolases

Enzymes that break down organic foods by adding water.

Pancreatic Enzymes

Enzymes produced by the pancreas that are essential for digestion, including trypsin and lipase.

Emulsification

The process in which bile breaks down fats into smaller droplets to aid digestion.

Lacteals

Lymphatic vessels in the intestinal villi that absorb fatty acids and monoglycerides.

Active Transport

The mechanism by which monosaccharides and amino acids are absorbed into the blood in the small intestine.

Diffusion

The mechanism by which fatty acids and monoglycerides are absorbed in the small intestine.

pH of Stomach

Very acidic with a pH of about 1 or 2, ideal for protein digestion.