Digestive Flashcards
absorption
Process of transferring nutrients from the digestive tract in to the bloodstream
alimentary canal
route of digestion that includes all structures from the mouth to the anus, excluding the accessory organs of digestion; also known as the digestive or gastrointestinal tract
bolus
mass of masticated (chewed) food
cardiac sphincter
circular muscle at the top of the stomach that allows food from the esophagus to enter the stomach
chyme
mixture of partially digested food and saliva
defecation
passage of feces from the bowels
deglutition
swallowing
digestion
chemical and physical breakdown of food in the gastrointestinal tract
enema
introduction of a solution into the rectum to stimulate bowel movement
epiglottis
uppermost cartilage of the larynx
excretion
process of eliminating waste products of digestion
gastroenterologist
physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the gastrointestinal tract
gastroenterology
study of the gastrointestinal tract
glucagon
hormone that cleaves bonds in glycogen to release glucose
insulin
hormone that binds to glucose allowing its transport from the bloodstream to the tissue