Alimentary Canal Flashcards
Name the organs involved in the Gi system
- Mouth
- Oesophagus
- Pancreas
- Duodenum (small intestine)
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Jejunum (small intestine)
- Ileum (small intestine)
- Caecum (large intestine)
- Anus
What is the oesophagus?
A collapsible tube made of smooth muscle that uses peristalsis to move food from mouth to stomach
What is the stomach?
The stomach is an organ containing acid, digestive enzymes (made from stomach and pancreas) to digest food and create chyme
What is the small intestine?
The small intestine is split into 3 known areas.
1. Duodenum
2. Jejunum
3. Ileum
Peristalsis moves the food through the intestine to allow nutrients to be absorbed.
What is the caecum?
The caecum is part of the large intestine and this is where water is absorbed and waste is expelled.
Describe the function of the mouth
- chemical and physical breakdown
- infection control
- masticate food
What are the 3 salivary glands and the role of saliva
- Parotid - back of mouth
- Submandibular- around the jaw
- Sublingual - under the tongue
Role of saliva: release digestive enzyme, help oral hygiene and lubricate food bolus
What is the function of the oesophagus?
To transport the bolus (small amount of food) to the stomach through the thorax using peristalsis.
What is the function of the stomach? What is the role of stomach acid
- physical and chemical breakdown
- digestion and storage
- produce chyme
Stomach acid
- unravel protein
- activate enzymes
- disinfect stomach contents
What is the function of the duodenum ( small intestine )
- neutralise acidic chyme
- dilute chyme with water
- allows digestive enzymes to enter and digest the food
What is the function of the liver?
- produce bile
- synthesis proteins
- detoxifies blood
- energy storage for glycogen
What is the function of the gallbladder? Function for bile?
- stores and concentrates bile
- contracts when fat is detected
Bile:
- contains bile salts which digest lipids
- contains cholesterol
- contains bilirubin (dead RBC)
What is the function of the pancreas?
Endocrine function
- produces insulin / glucagon
Exocrine function
- produces enzymes for digestion
What is the function of the Jejunum / ileum?
- nutrient absorption (mainly in jej)
- water / electrolyte absorption (mainly in ileum)
What is the function of the large bowl?
-final water absorption
-temporary storage
