Anatomy & Physiology: Gastorintestinal System Flashcards
Digestive Tract
A tube extending from the mouth to the anus.
Gastrointestinal Tract
The stomach and intestines
Oral Cavity
The first part of the digestive system.
Also know as the Mouth
Pharynx
Connects the mouth to the esophagus.
Also known as the Throat
Esophagus
A muscular tube about 25cm long which carries food down to the cardiac sphincter of the stomach.
Stomach
An enlarged segment of the digestive tract, It secretes acid and enzymes that digests food.
Cardiac Sphincter
Opening of the stomach that prevents acidic contents of the stomach from moving upward into the esophagus.
Rugae
Folds or ridges within the muscular layer of the stomach.
Pyloric Sphincter
The exit of the stomach into the small intestines. Connects the stomach to the duodenum.
Small Intestine
About 6 meters long and consists of three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
Villi
Finger-like projections within the duodenum.
Large Intestines
It’s primary function is to compress the waste and collect any excess water that can be recycled. Consists of the cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal.
Accessory Organs
Food does not pass through these organs but does contribute to the process of digestion.
Liver
Located in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen. It’s main job is to filter blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body.
Digestion
The breakdown of food into molecules that are small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Excretion
Bile contains products from the hemoglobin breakdown.
Nutrient Storage
The liver removes sugar from the blood and stores fats, vitamins, copper, and iron.
Nutrient Conversion
The liver converts some nutrients into others.
i.e. It converts amino acids to lipids or glucose
Detoxification of Harmful Chemicals
The liver removes ammonia from the blood and converts it to urea.
Synthesis of New Molecules
The liver synthesizes new blood proteins such as albumins and fibrinogens.
Pancreas
A complex organ composed of both endocrine and exocrine tissues that play an essential role in converting food into fuel for the body’s cells.
Gallbladder
Nestled under the liver, stores concentrated bile.
Tongue
Large, muscular organ that occupies most of the oral cavity. Manipulates food for mastication, and is used in the act of swallowing.
Salivary Glands
Glands which produce saliva through a system of ducts.
Mechanical Digestion
Breaks down large food particles into smaller ones and is evident as a person’s teeth grind food into smaller pieces.
Chemical Digestion
Digestive enzymes break covalent chemical bonds into organic molecules.
Absorption
Begins in the stomach, where small, lipid-soluble molecules, such as alcohol and aspirin, can ass through the stomach epithelium into circulation.
Carbohydrates
A large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues. They contain hydrogen and oxygen and typically can be broken down to release energy in the body.
Proteins
A class of nitrogenous organic compounds that consist of large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids. They do most of the work in cells nd are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
Fats and Lipids
Broken down into fatty acids and glycerol.
Amylase
Produced in the mouth ad breaks down carbohydrates.
Pepsin
Produced in the stomach and breaks down proteins.
Lipase
Produced in the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine to break down lipids.
Peptidase
Produced in the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine to brown down peptides into amino acids.
Sucrase
Produced in the small intestine and breaks down sucrose into glucose.
Lactase
Produced in the small intestine and breaks down lactose into glucose.
Vomiting
Results primarily from irritation of the stomach and small intestine.
Ulcers
Occur from a specific bacterium, Helicobacter Pylori, and can be treated with antibodies.
Peptic Ulcer
A condition in which the stomach acids digest the mucus lining of the duodenum.
Chyme
Highly acidic, semifluid food mass.
Cirrhosis
A disease characterized by damage or death of liver cell, which are replaced by connective tissue.
Hepatitis
An inflammation of the liver.
Irritable Bowel Disease
General term for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. (incorrect?)
Crohn’s Disease
A localized inflammatory degeneration that causes the wall of the small intestine to thicken. This disease causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Ulcerative Colitis
Limited to the mucosa of the large intestine. The involved mucosa exhibits inflammation, including edema, vascular congestion, and hemorrhaging.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A disorder of the unknown cause in which intestinal mobility is abnormal. Patients exhibit pain in the left lower quadrant, especially after eating, and have alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation.
Malabsorption Syndrome
A spectrum of disorders of the small intestine that result in abnormal nutrient absorption.
Appendicitis
An inflammation of the appendix that usually occurs because of an obstruction.
