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
gastric lipase
digests fats
intrinsic factor
promotes vitamin B12 absorption
chyme
pasty substance made of all the stomach secretions and digested food
secretin
hormone that promotes pancreatic secretions; secreted by duodenum
pancreatic duct
connects pancreas to the duodenum
pancreas secretes the enzymes:
trypsin, chymotrypsin, pancreatic lipase, pancreatic amylase
what helps to neutralize the acidic chyme and create an alkaline environment
bicarbonate ions secreted by the pancreas
bile
produced by the liver; stored in the gallbladder; works to emulsify fats which increases surface area of fats
CCK
hormone cholecystokinin; secreted by the duodenum; tells the gallbladder to contract causing bile to travel through the common bile duct
enzymes of the small intestine which help breakdown fats further
lipases, proteases, maltase, lactase, and sucrase
intestinal villi
brush border that creates very large surface area for absorption in small intestine
plicae circularae
structures in small intestine that also increase surface area
glucagon
hormone released from the pancreas; helps regulate blood sugar by breaking down stored carbohydrates and releasing glucose into the bloodstream when blood glucose levels are low
appendix
small finger-like extension off of large intestine; no definite function; referred to as a vestigial organ, having no known function.
gall bladder
store bile made by the liver
cecum
part of large intestine in which/where the appendix is attached
spleen
immune organ that acts as filter for blood
bile is manufactured by the _______ and stored in the _______.
liver; gallbladder
In the digestive system, the function of the ____ is to _____
stomach; secrete pepsinogen for protein digestion
Insulin is secreted by the ____ and is used for _____
pancreas; glucose uptake
The primary function of bile is ________
fat emulsification in the small intestine
Which digestive organ contains vitamin-producing bacteria?
the large intestine
where is Vitamin K produced? what does it do?
large intestine; plays role in blood clotting
is pancreatic juice acidic or alkaline?
alkaline since it has a high concentration of bicarbonate ions
pancreatic juice breaks down ______
carbohydrates and proteins
pancreatic juice’s high pH causes ______
neutralized acidity of stomach chyme
Nutrient absorption occurs in the ______
small intestine, where the food particles are small enough
Where is water reabsorbed?
small intestine
What is the colon?
segment of the large intestine; responsible for the formation of feces; reabsorption of water and electrolytes occurs here
Which organ has both endocrine and digestive functions