Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
Deglutition
swallowing of food bolus; transport of bolus from mouth to stomach
epiglottis
flap of cartilage covering trachea when swallowing food, preventing food entering lungs/respiratory system
peristalsis
contractions of muscle in esophagus, moving bolus through gastric sphincter to stomach
esophageal sphincter
prevents reflux of food back into esophagus
upper esophageal sphincter
located at the top of the esophagus, between pharynx and esophagus; improper closing doesn’t cause gastric reflex
lower esophageal sphincter
where food will move from esophagus to stomach; improper closing leads to acidic contents leaking back up causing gastric reflux
stomach
muscular organ on left side of upper abdomen that receives food from esophagus
pancreas
large gland behind stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into duodenum; has islets of Langerhans embedded in it; which secrete insulin and glucagon into blood
pyloric sphincter
gateway between stomach and small intestine; allowing food to pass to small intestine; some improper closing but doesn’t result in gastric reflux.
duodenum
first part of the small intestine; located between stomach and middle part of small intestine (jejunum)
jejunum
primary function is to absorb sugars, amino acids, fatty acids
illeum
aborbs any remaining nutrients that didn’t get absorbed by duodenum or jejunum (especially vitamin B12 and bile acids that go on to be recycled)
ascending colon
first main part of the large intestine, which passes upward from cecum on the right side of the abdomen
transverse colon
middle part of large intestine, passing across the abdomen from right to left below the stomach
descending colon
part of the large intestine that passes downward on left side of abdomen toward the rectum
sigmoid colon
S-shaped last part of the large intestine, leading into the rectum
rectum
the final section of large intestine, terminating at the anus
enzyme
substance that chemically breaks down food
pepsin
pepsinogen combined with hydrochloric acid; digests proteins