Digestive System Flashcards
abdomen
the portion of the body between the thorax (chest) and the pelvis; the diaphragm separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. The stomach is located in the upper left quadrant.
absorption
the passage of substances across and into tissues, such as the passage of digested food molecules into intestinal cells or the passage of liquids into kidney tubules.
alimentary canal
a musculomembranous tube, about 30 feet long, extending from the mouth to the anus and line with mucous membrane. Also called the digestive tract or the gastrointestinal tract.
amino acids
an organic chemical compound composed f one or more basic amino groups and one or more acidic carboxyl groups.
amylase
an enzyme that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules
anus
the opening through which the solid wastes (feces) are eliminated from the body.
ascitic fluid
a watery fluid containing albumin, glucose, and electrolytes that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity in association with certain disease conditions (such as liver disease).
bicuspid tooth
one of the two teeth between the molars and canines of the upper and lower jaw, these teeth have a flat surface with multiple projections (cusps) for crushing and grinding food; also known as premolar tooth.
bile
a bitter, yellow-green secretion of the liver.
bilirubin
the orange-yellow pigment of bile, formed principally by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells after termination of their normal life span.
bolus
a ball-like mass of chewed food (mixed with saliva) that is ready to be swallowed.
bowel
the portion o the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric opening of the stomach to the anus.
canine tooth
any one of the fourth teeth, two in each jaw, situated immediately lateral to the incisor teeth in the human dental arches; also called cuspid tooth
cardiac sphincter
the muscular ring (sphincter) in the stomach that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach; also known as the lower esophageal sphincter.
cecum
a cul-de-sac containing the first part of the large intestine. It joins the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine.
cholangiogram
a record, or X-ray film, of the bile ducts following the injection of a radiopaque contrast medium.
choledocholithiasis
the presence of stone (calculus) in the common bile duct.
cholelithiasis
abnormal presence of gallstones in the gallbladder
chyme
the liquidlike material of partially digested food and digestive secretions found in the stomach just before it is released into the duodenum.
colon
the portion of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum
common bile duct
the duct formed by the joining of the cystic duct and the hepatic duct.
crown
the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line
cuspid tooth
any one of the fourth teeth, two in each jaw, situated immediately lateral to the incisor teeth in the human dental arches; also called canine tooth
deciduous teeth
the first set or primary teeth; baby teeth
defecation
the act of expelling feces from the rectum through the anus
deglutition
swallowing
dentin
the chief material of teeth surrounding the pulp and situated inside of the enamel and cementum
dietitian
an allied health professional trained to plan nutrition programs for sick as well as healthy people. This may involved planning meals for a hospital or large organization or individualized diet counseling with patients.
digestion
the process of altering the chemical and physical composition of food so that it can be used by the body cells. This occurs in the digestive tract.
digestive tract
a musculomembranous tube, about 30 feet long, extending from the mouth to the anus and line with mucous membrane. Also called the digestive tract or the alimentary canal.
duodenum
the first portion of the small intestine. This is the shortest, widest, and most fixed portion of the small intestine, taking an almost circular course from the pyloric valve on the stomach so that its termination is close to its starting point.
emulsify
to disperse a liquid into another liquid, making a colloidal suspension.
enamel
a hard, white substance that covers the dentin of the crown of a tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body
endocrine gland
a gland that secretes its enzymes directly into the blood capillaries instead of being transported by way of ducts.
enzyme
a protein produced by living cells that catalyzes chemical reactions in organic matter.
esophagus
a muscular canal, about 24 cm long, extending from the pharynx to the stomach.
exocrine gland
a gland that secretes its enzymes into a network of tiny ducts that transport it to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel.
fatty acids
any of several organic acids produced by the hydrolysis of neutral fats.
feces
waste or excrement from the digestive tract that is formed in the intestine and expelled through the rectum.
gallblader
a pear-shaped excretory sac lodged in a fossa on the visceral surface of the right lo of the liver
gastroenterologist
a medical doctor who specializes in the study of the diseases and disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract (including the stomach, intestines, gallbladder and bile duct).
gastrointestinal tract
a musculomembranous tube, about 30 feet long, extending from the mouth to the anus and line with mucous membrane. Also called the digestive tract or the alimentary canal.
gavage
a procedure in which liquid or semi-liquid food is introduced into the stomach through a tube.
gingiva
gum tissue
gingivitis
inflammation of the gums
glucagon
a hormone produced by the alpha cells o the pancreas that stimulates the liver to convert glycogen into glucose when the blood sugar level is dangerously low.
glucose
a simple sugar found in certain foods, especially fruits, and major source of energy occurring in human and animal body fluids.
glycogen
a complex sugar (starch) that is the major carbohydrate stored in animal cells. It is formed from glucose and stored chiefly in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscle cells.
glycogenesis
the conversion of simple sugar (glucose) into a complex form of sugar (starch) for storage in the liver.
glycogenolysis
the breakdown of glycogen into glucose by the liver, releasing it back into the circulating blood in response to a very low blood sugar level.
hematemesis
vomiting of blood.
hepatocyte
liver cell
hydrochloric acid
a compound consisting of hydrogen and chlorine
ileum
the distal portion of the small intestine extending from the jejunum to the cecum
incisor
one of the eight front teeth, four in each dental arch, the first appear as primary teeth during infancy are replaced by permanent incisors during childhood and last until old age.
insulin
a naturally occurring hormone secreted by the eta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood.
jejunum
the intermediate or middle of the three portions of the small intestine, connecting proximally with the duodenum and distally with the ileum.
laparoscope
a thin-walled, flexible tube with a telescopic lens and light that is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall to examine or perform minor surgery within the abdominal or pelvic cavities.
lavage
the process o irrigating (washing out) an organ - usually the bladder, bowel, paranasal sinuses, or stomach - for therapeutic purposes
lipase
an enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats.
liver
the largest gland of the body and one of its most complex organs
lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
the muscular ring (sphincter) in the stomach that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach; also known as the cardiac sphincter.
lower GI tract
the lower portion of the gastrointestinal tract consisting of the small and large intestines
mastication
chewing, tearing, or grinding food with the teeth while it becomes mixed with saliva
McBurney’s point
a point on the right side of the abdomen, about 2/3rds of the distance between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip. When tenderness exists upon this point, a physician might suspect appendicitis.
molar tooth
any of 12 molar teeth, six in each dental arch, located posterior to the premolar teeth. The molar teeth have a flat surface with multiple projections (cusps) for crushing and grinding food.
nutritionist
an allied health professional who studies and applies the principles and science of nutrition.
oropharynx
the section of the pharynx leading away from the oral cavity
palate
a structure that forms the roof of the mouth.
pancreas
an elongated organ approximately 6 to 9 inches long, located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen that secretes various substances such as digestive enzymes, insulin, and glucagon.
papillae
a small, nipple-shaped projection (such as the conoid papillae of the tongue and the papillae of the corium) that extend from collagen fibers, the capillary blood vessels, and sometimes the nerves of the dermis.
parotid gland
one of the largest pairs of salivary glands that lie at the side of the face just below and in front of the external ear.
peristalsis
the coordinated, rhythmic, serial contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract, bile through the bile duct and urine through the ureters.
peritoneum
a specific serous membrane that covers the entire abdominal wall of the body and is reflected over the contained viscera
peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum
permanent teeth
the full set of teeth (32 teeth) that replaces the deciduous or temporary teeth.
pharynx
the throat; a tubular structure about 13 cm long that extends from the base of the skull to the esophagus and is situated just in front of the cervical vertebrae
premolars
one of the two teeth between the molars and canines of the upper and lower jaw, these teeth have a flat surface with multiple projections (cusps) for crushing and grinding food; also known as bicuspid tooth.
pulp
any soft, spongy tissue such as that contained within the spleen, the pulp chamber of the tooth, or the distal phalanges of the fingers and the toes.
pyloric sphincter
a thickened muscular ring in the stomach that regulates the passage of food from the pylorus of the stomach into the duodenum.
pyorrhea
discharge or flow of pus
rebound tenderness
a sensation of severe pain experienced by the patient when the doctor applies deep pressure to the abdomen and releases it quickly When this deep pressure is applied to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen at McBurney’s point, and this type of pain is experienced, it is strong indicator of appendicitis
rectum
the portion of the large intestine, about 12 cm long, continuous with the descending sigmoid colon (just proximal to the anal canal.
rugae
a ridge or fold that presents large fold in the mucous membrane of the organ. (ie. hard palate or stomach)
saliva
the clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary and mucous glands in the mouth
salivary glands
one of the three pairs of glands secreting into the mouth, thus aiding the digestive process.
secondary teeth
the full set of teeth (32 teeth) that replaces the deciduous or temporary teeth.
sigmoid colon
the portion of the colon that extends from the end of the descending colon in the pelvis to the juncture of the rectum.
sphincter
a circular band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening in the body,