Digestive System Organs & Functions Flashcards
What are the organs in the digestive system?
Pharynx
Mouth
Epiglottis
Trachea
Esophagus
Stomach
Liver
Gall Bladder
Small Intestine
Large Intestine
Caecum
Appendix
Rectum
Anus
What is the function of the pharynx?
The Throat
- Swallowing
- Directing Food
What is the function of the mouth?
- Ingestion
- Chewing
- Chemical Digestion (enzymes to moistens food, making it easier to swallow.)
- Taste and Sensory
- Formation of Bolus (balled up food)
What is the function of the epiglottis?
Flap of Cartilage at the base of the tongue
- Prevention of Aspiration (when food, liquid goes down the wrong hole)
- Keeping Airway Open
- Making Swallowing Reflex easier
What is the function of the trachea?
The windpipe, made of C-shaped rings of cartilage
- Air Passage
- Protection and Filtration
- Coordination with the Epiglottis
What is the function of the esophagus?
Muscular Tube that extends from the throat to the stomach
- Food Transportation
- Prevention of Reflux
- Lubrication
What is the function of the stomach?
- Storage of Food
- Mechanical Digestion
- Chemical Digestion
- Absorbtion of Certain Substances
- Regulation of Digestion
- Defense Mechanism
What is the function of the liver?
- Production of Bile
- Processing Nutrients
- Detoxification
- Synthesis of Proteins
- Regulation of Blood Chemistry
What is the function of the gall bladder?
- Storage of Bile
- Release of Bile
- Contribution to Fat Digestion
What is the function of the small intestine?
- Digestion of Food
- Absorption of Nutrients
- Surface Area for Absorption
- Immune Function
What is the function of the large intestine?
- Water and Electrolyte Absorption
- Formation and Storage of Feces
- Bacterial Fermentation
- Mucus Secretion
- Immune Support
What is the function of the caecum?
- Connection Between the Small and Large Intestines
- Absorption
- Support for Gut Microbiota
- Role in Immune Function
What is the function of the appendix?
The appendix is a vestigial organ, meaning it doesn’t actually have a real function.
What is the function of the rectum?
The rectum stores the waste delivered to it from the colon until it is released by the anus.
What is the function of the anus?
Also known as the anal sphincter, the anus opens and closes and can push out the stool(shit) stored in the rectum.
