Digestive System Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structures, organs, functions, and processes of human digestion based on lecture notes.

Mastication

The process of chewing, which mechanically breaks down food into smaller pieces in the mouth.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme present in saliva that begins carbohydrate digestion in the mouth.

Bolus

A ball-like mixture of chewed food and saliva that is formed in the mouth and swallowed into the esophagus.

Sphincter

A muscular ring that opens and closes to regulate the passage of food and prevent backflow.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)

Also known as the cardiac sphincter, it is the muscular ring located between the esophagus and the stomach.

Stomach

An organ that stores and mixes food to produce chyme, with an average capacity of about 1 to 1.5 liters.

Gastric Juices

Digestive secretions produced by the stomach that contain hydrochloric acid, water, and enzymes.

Chyme

The semi-liquid mixture of food and gastric juices that leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine.

Pyloric Sphincter

The sphincter located between the stomach and the small intestine.

Small Intestine

The organ divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum where food stays for about 3 to 6 hours; it serves as the primary site of nutrient absorption.

Villi

Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Microvilli

Smaller projections located on the villi that form the brush border, further increasing surface area for absorption.

Jejunum

The specific section of the small intestine that serves as the primary site of nutrient absorption.

Ileocecal Valve

The sphincter located between the small intestine and the large intestine.

Large Intestine

The organ consisting of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal; its primary functions are to absorb water and electrolytes and form feces.

Colon

A major part of the large intestine composed of four sections: ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon.

Accessory Organs

Organs involved in digestion comprising the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Liver

An accessory organ of the digestive system that produces bile.

Gallbladder

An accessory organ of the digestive system that stores and releases bile.

Pancreas

An accessory organ that secretes digestive enzymes (amylase, proteases, lipase) and bicarbonate into the small intestine.

Bicarbonate

A secretion produced by the pancreas that neutralizes stomach acid (chyme) entering the small intestine, providing an optimal environment for digestive enzymes.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscular contractions that move food forward through the digestive tract.

Segmentation

The contraction of circular muscles in the small intestine that mixes food, creating smaller pieces, increasing surface area, and increasing absorption.