Digestive System Physiology Flashcards
Accessory Organ
Helps in the process of digestion.
Alimentary Canal
Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste, and supports the immune system.
Anus
Is the exit point for waste material from the cat’s body.
Cecum
Absorbs water and electrolytes, helps digest food with microbes, and mixes contents with mucus.
Common Bile Duct
Carries bile from the gallbladder to the duodenum, where it mixes with food to aid in digestion.
Cystic Duct
Transport bile, form the common bile duct, and aid in digestion.
Epiglottis
Swallowing and breathing.
Esophagus
To transport food, water, and saliva from the mouth to the stomach.
Gallbladder
Stores and concentrates bile.
Hard Palate
Feeding and chewing.
Hepatic Duct
Transport bile from the liver to the gallbladder.
Large Intestine (colon)
Extracts water and solidifies waste before elimination (pooping)
Liver
Digestion, blood clotting, energy storage, hormone production, and detoxification (removing toxins and waste from the body).
Mesentery
Structural support, vascular support, nerve support, lymphatic support, fat storage, immune response, and wound isolation.
Mouth
Ingest and break down food through the action of specialized teeth.
Omentum (greater & lesser)
Cleaning up infection, increasing blood supply, and aiding in healing.
Pancreas
Releases enzymes into the small intestine to aid in digestion.
Parietal Peritoneum
Protects and supports the abdomen and its organs.
Pharynx
A passageway for both food and air. Also, plays a role in speech.
Pyloric Sphincter
Permits the contents of the stomach to proceed into the small intestine
Rectum
Store stool until time for bowel movement.
Rugae
Expansion (expand and contract) and providing surface area for nutrient absorption
Salivary Gland
Lubricate food (has enzymes that break down sugars) and protect the oral mucosa.
Small Intestine (Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum)
Digestion, absorption (nutrients), regulation, and immune surveillance.
Soft Palate
Protects the airway, closes off the oral cavity when the cat breathes through its nose, and lubricates the oral cavity.
Stomach
Storage, mixing food with gastric juice, and protection.
Uvula
Speech, eating and drinking, and saliva production.
Villi
Secretion, nutrient absorption, and preventing the absorption of waste materials.
