Digestive System- Alimentary Canal Flashcards
Salivary Glands
3 pairs of glands which produce saliva which dissolves food so it can be tasted
Saliva contains mucus which lubricates the mouth and food creating a lump of it for swallowing
Contains salivary enzyme amylase which begins starch digestion
Liver
Produces bile which is stored and concentrated in the gall bladder
Bile emulsifies lipids in the small intestine
Gall bladder
Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine, where the bile emulsifies lipids
Duodenum
First part of the small intestine
Transverse colon
Ascending colon
Descending colon
Longest part of the large intestine
Absorbs minerals, water and vitamins
Caecum
First part of the large intestine
Appendix
Has no function in humans
Rectum
First part of the large intestine in which faeces are formed
Pharynx
(Back of mouth cavity)
By moving upwards and backwards, the tongue pushes food into the pharynx for swallowing
Oesophagus
Carries food from the mouth to the stomach
It passes through the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity
Stomach
Mechanical digestion by churning action
Chemical digestion by Pepsin which begins protein digestion.
Pyloric sphincter
Band of circular muscle that regulates flow of material from stomach to duodenum
Pancreas
Produces pancreatic juice containing enzymes for digesting proteins, lipids and nucleic acids
Small intestine
About 6m long
It’s lining secretes intestinal juice, which contains many enzymes.
The internal surface is lined with villi for absorption of digested food.
Anus
Opening surrounded by the anal sphincter, a muscle that can be voluntary controlled
