Digestive System Flashcards
Functions of Digestive System
Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients
Excretion of waste
Two types of bowel movements
Mixing Movements:
mix food with digestive juices
Propelling Movements:
called peristalsis; pushes food down the tube
Mouth
begins digestion by chewing and mixing with saliva
Tongue
moves food, connects to floor of mouth via frenulum
Amylase
enzyme breaks down starch into sugars
Esophagus
The muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach.
Four regions of the stomach
cardia, fundus, body, pylorus
Pyloric canal
which connects to the duodenum.
Pyloric sphincter
located at this latter point of connection and controls stomach emptying.
Stomach lining
Mucus prevents stomach from digesting itself, small openings called gastric pits contain glands
Pepsin
most important digestive enzyme for breaking down food
