Chapter 10 - Gastrointestinal System Vocabulary Flashcards
Adventitia
The muscular layer of the wall of the alimentary canal
Absorptive cells
Cells that produce digestive enzymes and absorbed digested food
Alimentary canal
The mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus
Ampulla of vater
Opening in the duodenum into which the common bile duct and pancreatic duct drains
Anal canal
The short tube at the end of the rectum that contains two circular sphincter (internal and external), which help regulate the passage of stool
Anus
The distal orifice of the alimentary canal, where stool passes from the body
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix
Ascending colon
One of four portions of the colon; it extends upward from the cecum
Bile
A digestive enzyme produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder
Carboxypeptidase
A pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins
Cecum
The first part of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens.
Chemical digestion
Digestion of food by enzymes in the stomach and small bowel
Chief cells
Cells in the stomach mucosa that produce pepsinogen, an important enzyme in the digestion of food
Cholecystitis
Symptoms from cholelithiasis; also called gallbladder attack
Cholecystokinin
A hormone produced in the intestine that stimulates the production of pancreatic secretions and gallbladder contractions and inhibits gastric motility
Cholelithiasis
The presence of gallstones
Chyme
The name given to the substance that leaves the stomach once food is digested; it is a combination of all the eaten foods with added stomach acids
Chymotrypsin
A pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins
Colon
A portion of the gastrointestinal system extending from the small intestine to the rectum that maintains water balance by absorbing and excreting water; also called large intestine.
Colonoscope
A fiberoptic scope used in the visual examination of the colon
Crypts
Tubular glands located in the colon, which contain many mucus-producing goblet cells
Cystic ducts
The route through which the gallbladder releases bile
Descending colon
One of the four portions of the colon; it extends from the splenic flexure to the sigmoid colon
Diaphragm
Large dome-shaped muscle used for respiration that represents the boundary between the abdominal and the thoracic cavities
Digestion
The mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods and the absorption of resulting nutrients by body’s cells.
Digestive system
The body system that carries out the process of mechanical and chemical digestion; also called the gastrointestinal system
Disaccharidases
Enzymes that break down sugars
Diverticuli
Weakened area (outpouchings) in the walls of the colon
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of the diverticuli
Duodenojejunal flexure
The sharp bend in the small intestine between duodenum and the Jejunum
Duodenum
The first of three secretions of the small intestine; it extends posterior from the stomach and forms a 180° arch within the retroperitoneal portion of the abdomen
Endocrine cells
Cells in the stomach mucosa that produce regulatory hormones
Esophageal hiatus
An opening in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes
Esophageal sphincters
To muscular rings (upper and lower) that regulate the movement of material into and out of the esophagus
Esophagus
A collapsible tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach; contractions of the muscle in the wall of the esophagus propel foods and liquid through it to the stomach
Flatus
Gas within the colon
Fundus
The bottom of a hollow organ. In the stomach, it is a portion that balloons superior to the cardiac portion to act as a temporary storage area
Gallbladder
A sac like organ located on the lower surface of the liver that acts as a reservoir for bile
Gallstones
Rigid stones formed by digestive enzyme within the gallbladder
Gastric inhibitory peptides
A hormone that inhibits both gastric secretion and motility
Gastric pits
Numerous pits in the stomach mucosa; also called invagination
Gastrin
A hormone produced by the endocrine cells of the stomach that increase stomach secretions as well as the rate of gastric emptying
Gastritis
Irritation of the stomach often caused by overproduction of stomach acid by the parietal cells
Gastrointestinal (G.I.) system
System composed of structures and organs involved in the consumption, digestion, and elimination of food; also called the digestive system or gastrointestinal tract
Goblet cells
Cells that produce a protective mucous lining
Haustra
Recesses in the colon caused by contractions of the teniae coli
Heartburn
Sensation often caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus; also called reflux esophagitis
Hemorrhoidal plexus
Large veins that line the inside of the anal canal
Hemorrhoids
Abnormal dilation of veins in the hemorrhoidal plexus
Hepatic flexure
The first turn (sharp left near the inferior boarder of the liver) in the large intestine at the end of the ascending colon and beginning of tranverse colon
Hepatoportal system
Specialized portion of the circulatory system that directs blood from stomach and intestine through the liver for processing
Hiatal hernia
A weakening in the esophageal hiatus that allows the stomach to move above the diaphragm and may result in acid reflux, causing heartburn
Hydrochloric acid
An acid produced by parietal cells in the stomach that aids in digestion
Ileocecal junction
The junction between the ileum and large intestine
Intrinsic factors
The chemical substance produced by the parietal cells in the stomach that is important in absorption of vitamin B12
Invagination
Numerous pits in the stomach mucosa; also called gastric pits
Jejunum
The middle portion of the small intestine; it has thicker walls and more folds than the other portions of the small intestine
Lacteal
A capillary and lymph channel contained in each villus
Large intestine
A portion of the gastrointestinal system that extends from the small intestine to the rectum and maintains water balance by absorbing and excreting water; also called colon.
Lipases
Pancreatic enzymes that break down fat
Liver
A large abdominal organ that lies in the right upper quadrant immediately below the diaphragm; it produces bile, stores glucose for immediate use by the body, and produces many substances that help regulate immune response
Lumen
The opening of a vessel
Mastication
Chewing