Chapter 3 Vocabulary Flashcards
Body area containing the organs of the digestive tract. It extends from the mouth to the anus.
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
The breakdown of foods into absorbable components using mechanical and chemical means
Digestive process
The interior of the digestive tract through which food passes
Lumen
Breaking food down through chewing and grinding, or moving it through the GI tract with peristalsis
Mechanical digestion
Breaking down food with enzymes or digestive juices
Chemical digestion
The forward, rhythmic motion that moves food through the digestive system.
Peristalsis
A ‘sloshing’ motion that thoroughly mixes chyme with the chemical secretions of the intestine.
Segmentation
A constrictive wave that involves both forward and reverse movements of chyme and enhances nutrient absorption.
Pendular movement
Watery fluid secreted by salivary glands in the mouth. Moistens food and makes it easier to swallow
Saliva
Viscous, slippery secretions found in saliva and other digestive juices.
Mucus
The throat. Passageway for the respiratory (air) and digestive tracts (food and beverages).
Pharynx
Chewed mass of food
Bolus
Flap of tissue that protects the trachea while swallowing
Epiglottis
Tube that extends from the throat to the stomach
Esophagus
A circular band of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that opens and closes to allow food to enter the stomach
Lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
Digestive organ that holds food after it’s moved down the esophagus and before it’s propelled into the small intestine
Stomach
A powerful acid made in the stomach that has digestive functions. It also helps to kill microorganisms and lowers pH in the stomach
Hydrochloric (HCl) acid
A digestive hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates digestive activities and increases motility and emptying
Gastrin
The semiliquid, partially digested food mass that leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine
Chyme
A digestive enzyme produced in the stomach that breaks down protein
Pepsin
Sphincter in the bottom of the stomach that separates the pylorus from the duodenum of the small intestine
Pyloric sphincter
Comprised of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The longest part of the GI tract. Most of the digestion and absorption occurs here.
Small intestine
Projections on the walls of the small intestine that increase surface area over which nutrients can be absorbed.
Villi
Tiny projections on the villi in the small intestine that increase surface area even more.
Microvilli
Gateway between the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The sphincter prevents the backflow of fecal contents from the large intestine into the small intestine
Ileocecal sphincter
Final organ of the GI tract. It consists of the cecum, appendix, colon, and rectum.
Large intestine
Waste products that are stored in the large intestine and then excreted from the body. Consists mostly of bacteria, sloughed-off gastrointestinal cells, inorganic matter, water, unabsorbed nutrients, food residue, undigested fibers, fatty acids, mucus, and remnants of digestive fluids.
Stool (feces)
The lowest part of the large intestine, continuous with the sigmoid colon and the anus.
Rectum
The opening at the end of the rectum where waste is eliminated from the body
Anus
The largest gland of the body. It aids in digestive activity and is responsible for metabolism and nutrients, detoxification of alcohol, and some nutrient storage.
Liver
A pear-shaped organ located behind the liver. Stores bile produced by the liver and secretes the bile through the bile duct into the small intestine.
Gallbladder
Accessory organ of digestion that produces hormones and enzymes. It’s connected to the duodenum via the bile duct.
Pancreas
Chemical substances that regulate, initiate, or direct cellular activity.
Hormones
Substances that produce chemical changes or catalyze chemical reactions.
Enzymes
A yellowish-green fluid made in the liver and concentrated and stored in the gallbladder. It helps emulsify fat and prepare it for digestion.
Bile
The process by which digested nutrients move into the tissues where they can be transported and used by the body’s cells.
Absorbtion
The process of absorbing nutrients across the intestinal cell membrane from a high concentration to a low concentration
Passive diffusion
The process of absorbing nutrients across the intestinal cell membrane with the help of a carrier molecule
Facilitated diffusion
The process of absorbing nutrients across the intestinal cell membrane with the help of a carrier protein and energy
Active diffusion
Difficult swallowing
Dysphagia
A burning sensation originating in the esophagus. Usually caused by the reflux of gastric contents from the stomach into the esophagus. Can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Heartburn
The backward flow of stomach contents past the lower esophageal sphincter into the esophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Formal term for ‘stomach flu.’ Caused by a virus or bacteria and results in inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines
Gastroenteritis
Sores, erosions, or breaks in the mucosal lining of the stomach
Peptic ulcers
Small, hard, crystalline structures formed in the gallbladder or bile duct due to abnormally thick bile
Gallstones
Production of excessive gas in the stomach or the intestines
Flatulence
Difficulty passing stools.
Constipation
Frequent, loose, watery stools
Diarrhea
Swelling in the veins of the rectum and anus
Hemorrhoids
A functional disorder that involves changes in colon rhythm
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
An autoimmune disease of the small intestine that involves the inability to digest the protein gluten
Celiac disease
A sensitivity to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains. symptoms include stomachaches, diarrhea, bloating, and tiredness
Gluten intolerance
An inflammatory bowel disease involving inflammation and swelling of the intestines
Crohn’s disease
