Module 14: Digestive System - Alimentary Tract

Question 1

peritoneum

Answer 1

broad membranous sac made of simple squamous epithelial tissue surrounded by connective tissue; holds digestive organs within abdominopelvic cavity

Question 2

parietal peritoneum

Answer 2

outer layer of peritoneum that lines wall of abdominopelvic cavities

Question 3

visceral peritoneum

Answer 3

inner layer of peritoneum that lines most organs of abdominopelvic cavity

Question 4

peritoneal cavity

Answer 4

surround organs of abdomen and pelvis; fluid acts as lubricant to reduce friction b/w organs and body wall

Question 5

greater omentum

Answer 5

peritoneal fold; apron-like pouch extending inferiorly b/w the body wall + anterior surface of small intestine

Question 6

falciform ligament

Answer 6

peritoneal fold; anchors the liver to the anteriro abdominal wall and inferiro border of the diaphragm

Question 7

lesser omentum

Answer 7

peritoneal fold; suspends the stomach from the inferior border of the liver

Question 8

mesentery proper

Answer 8

peritoneal fold; vertical band of tissue anterior to the lumbar vertebrae and anchoring most of the small intestine

Question 9

mesocolon

Answer 9

peritoneal fold; attaches the large intestine (transvers + sigmoid colon) to the posterior abdominal wall

Question 10

intraperitoneal

Answer 10

organs surrounded by peritoneum in development and remain so in adulthood; stomach + liver

Question 11

primary retroperitoneal

Answer 11

organs never surrounded by peritoneum; kidneys

Question 12

secondarily retroperitoneal

Answer 12

organs were originally surrounded by peritoneum, but during development were pushed out + against posterior body wall; pancreas + duodenum

Question 13

alimentary canal organs

Answer 13

organs of the digestive tract that food substances pass through; oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small + large intestine

Question 14

accessory digestive organs

Answer 14

organs critical for breakdown of food, but food doesn’t pass through them; teeth, tongue, salivary glands, gallbladder, liver, pancreas

Question 15

mucosa

Answer 15

epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosa layers

Question 16

epithelium

Answer 16

direct contact w/ ingested food; epithelial cells and goblet cells (secrete mucus + fluid into lumen) dispersed throughout

Question 17

lamina propria

Answer 17

layer of areolar CT deep to epithelium that contains blood + lymphatic vessels + mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (respond to food-borne bacteria + foreign matter)

Question 18

muscularis mucosa

Answer 18

thin, smooth muscle layer that creates folds in stomach + intestines, increases surface area for digestion + absorption

Question 19

submucosa

Answer 19

lies beneath mucosa; dense connective tissue that connects mucosa + muscularis

Question 20

muscularis

Answer 20

double layer of smooth muscle in most locations: inner circular layer + outer longitudinal layer; contractions promote mechanical digestion + move food along canal; oblique muscle helps churn food in stomach

Question 21

serosa

Answer 21

superficial to muscularis; layer of visceral peritoneum overlying a layer of loose CT; when organ is retroperitoneal adventitia surrounds instead

Question 22

enteric nervous system

Answer 22

senses presence of food + stretch in organ walls; stimulates myenteric plexus; local innervation of alimentary canal; motor, sensory, and interneurons; restricted by sympathetic activation; enhanced by parasympathetic activation

Question 23

myenteric plexus

Answer 23

lies in muscularis layer of alimentary canal b/w inner circular and outer longitudinal layers; responsible for motility (rhythm + force of contractions)