Anatomy And Function Of The Digestive Tract Flashcards
What are the functions of the digestive tracts?
- Transport of food stuff
- Breakdown of food stuff
- Absorption of sugars, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals and water
- Excretion of waste
What can the digestive tract also be called?
The gastrointestinal tract
Describe what the GI tract essentially is
It’s a long muscular tube
Organs empty secretions into the tract at various points
Name the 6 major subdivisions of the digestive tracts
- Oral cavity, teeth and tongue
- Pharynx
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
Name the 4 accessory subdivisions of the digestive tract
- Salivary glands
- Liver
- Gall bladder
- Pancreas
What is the function of the Ora cavity in digestion
Mechanical processing
Moistening
Mixing with salivary secretions
What is the function of the pharynx in digestion
Muscular propulsion of materials into the oesophagus
What is the function of the oesophagus in digestion
Transport of materials into the stomach
What is the function of the stomach in digestion
Chemical breakdown of materials by acid and enzymes
Mechanical processing through muscular contraction
What is the function of the small intestine in digestion
Enzymatic digestion and absorption of water, organic substances, vitamins and ions
What is the function of the large intestine in digestion
Enzymatic digestion and absorption of water, organic substances, vitamins and ions
What is e function of the salivary glands in digestion
Secretes lubricating fluids containing enzymes that break down carbohydrates
What is the function of the liver in digestion
Secretes bile
Stores nutrients
What is bile an essential element for?
Lipid digestion
What is the function of the gall bladder in digestion
Storage and concentration of bile
What is the function of the pancreas in digestion
Exocrine cells secrete buffers and digestive enzymes
Endocrine cells secrete hormones
List the parts of the GI tube from most to least proximal
- Oral cavity
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Large intestine
- Rectum
- Anus
Name the three glands found in the oral cavity
- Parotid gland
- Submandibular gland
- Sublingual gland
Where does the parotid gland sit?
Gland lies in front of the ear
Where does the submandibular gland sit?
Deep in the mouth below the mandible
Where does the sublingual gland sit?
Located under the tongue
What clues can the oral cavity give to suggest a person may have a GI/ systemic disease
- Decay
- Ulceration
- Abscesses
- Soften teeth / erosion
- Discolouration of teeth
- Oral thrush
Describe the oesophagus
It is a muscular tube which connects the mouth to the stomach
What is the oesophagus made up of?
Smooth muscle