3: Digestive system Flashcards
Define enzyme.
A protein catalyst, that increases the speed of chemical reactions happening within the body
Define peristalsis.
Waves of smooth muscle contraction and relaxation along the digestive tract.
Define mediastinum.
The central tissue area that divides the thoracic cavity into a left and right half, the mediastinum contains the heart, trachea, oesophagus and thymus
Define oesophagus.
Part of the digestive tube, that connects the pharynx (or throat) to the stomach. 25cm long, posterior to the trachea.
What is an epiglottis and what does it do?
A piece of cartilage that closes over the larynx and thus prevents food entering trachea when swallowing
What is an uvula?
Part of the soft palate, that prevents food entering the nasal cavity when swallowing
What is a stomach?
Part of the digestive tract that enables storage and mixing of food
What is an appendix?
A small tube connected to the large intestine, it is a redundant part of the digestive system. (<doubt this)
What is mastication?
The process of chewing food in the mouth
What’s a chyme?
A food bolus churns in the stomach and mixes with various secretions becoming a liquid chyme
What are intestines?
Part of the digestive tract, intestines can refer to the small intestine where large amounts of digestion and absorption occur, or the large intestine where chyme is converted to faeces
Define nutrition.
The selection and preparation of food for consumption by the body, in order to provide essential nutrients to body cells
How many localised regions are there in an abdominopelvic region?
The abdominopelvic cavity is divided into 9 localised regions.
How many localised quadrants are in the abdominopelvic quadrant?
The abdominopelvic cavity is divided into 4 localised quadrants
Define protein.
A macromolecule consisting of many amino acids. Proteins have many different functions within the body.
Define carbohydrate.
A macromolecule consisting of many monosaccharides (or sugars)
Define lipid.
An energy dense macromolecule consisting of glycerol and fatty acids.
What is the other name of ‘digestive tract’?
Alimentary tract
What 7 organs/structure are included in the digestive system?
1) Oral cavity with salivary glands
2) Pharynx
3) Esophagus
4) Stomach
5) Small intestine
6) Large intestine
7) Anus
What are the 3 parts of the small intestine?
Duodenum, ileum, jejunum
What are the 3 accessory organs of the small intestine?
Liver, gallbladder, pancreas
What are the 4 parts of the large intestine?
Cecum, colon, rectum, anal canal
What are the 6 functions of the digestive system?
Ingestion, mastication, secretive, digestion, absorption, elimination.
Define ingestion.
Intro of food into stomach via mouth
Define secretion in the digestive system
Lubricate, liquify, digest
Define digestion
Mechanical and chemical digestion of food into nutrients
Define absorption in the digestive system.
Movement of nutrients out of digestive tract into cells
Define elimination in digestion system.
Waste products removed from body, i.e. defecation
What does the histology of the digestive tract involve? I.e. the layers of the tissue (x4)
Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, serosa/adventitia.
What is a mucosa?
The innermost layer that secrets mucus
What’s a submucosa?
The connective tissue layer that contains blood vessels, nerves, etc.
What are the muscularis?
The 2/3 muscle layers, in charge of movement and secretion
What is the serosa/adventitia?
The outermost layer, connective tissue, in charge of the stability.
Walls and organs of the abdominal cavity are lined with _______membranes.
Serous
What does visceral peritoneum covers?
Organs
What does the parietal peritoneum covers?
Interior surface of body wall.
What are mesenteries?
Peritoneum (epithelial tissue) which connects organs together and small intestine to the back body wall
What does the greater omentum connect?
Stomach to transverse colon
What does the lesser omentum connect?
Stomach to liver and diaphragm.
What are the 4 types of teeth.
Incisors, canines, premolars, molars
What are the functions of saliva.
Protects the oral cavity; moistens, lubricate and digest food.
What’s amylase?
Enzyme found in saliva that breaks down carbohydrates into smaller sugars.
What’s lysozyme?
An antibacterial enzyme