The Digestive System: Anatomy Flashcards
What is digestion?
the processing of food that nourishes the individual cells of the body
1. The digestive system is also called the gastrointestinal system
What are the components of the digestive system?
- Abdomen
a. Contains major organs of digestion and excretion
b. Quadrants are the easiest way to identify areas.
i. Right upper (RUQ): contains the liver, gallbladder, and a portion of the colon
ii. Left upper (LUQ): contains the stomach, spleen, and a portion of the colon
iii. Right lower (RLQ): contains two portions of the large intestine (cecum and ascending colon)
iv. Left lower (LLQ): contains the descending and sigmoid portions of the colon
c. The small intestine, pancreas, large intestine, and urinary bladder lie in more than one quadrant.
Mouth
Consists of lips, cheeks, gums, teeth, and tongue
b. Salivary glands
Oropharynx
a. Tubular structure that extends from the back of the mouth to the esophagus and trachea
Esophagus
a. Collapsible tube about 10 inches long that extends from the end of the pharynx to the stomach
b. Muscles in the wall of the esophagus propel food to the stomach.
Stomach
. Hollow organ in LUQ
b. Receives food, stores it, and provides for its movement into the bowel
Pancreas
a. Flat, solid organ that lies below and behind the liver and stomach
Stomach
. Contains two portions: exocrine and endocrine
i. The exocrine portion secretes pancreatic juice containing enzymes that aid in digestion of fat, starch, and protein. ii. The endocrine portion (islets of Langerhans) produces insulin and glucagon.
Liver
a. Large, solid organ immediately beneath the diaphragm in the RUQ, extending into the LUQ
b. Functions of the liver:
i. Filtering harmful substances
ii. Forming the factors needed for blood clotting and normal plasma production
iii. Storing sugar or starch for immediate use by the body for energy
Rectum
a. Large, hollow organ at the lowermost end of the colon adapted to hold quantities of feces until it is expelled
b. At its terminal end is the anus
What is an enzymes?
- Enzymes are added to food by the salivary glands, stomach, liver, pancreas, and small intestine.
- They convert food into basic sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids.
What is the Lymphatic system?
A. Composed of the spleen, lymph nodes, lymph, lymph vessels, thymus gland, and other components
B. Supports the circulatory system and immune system
C. Lymph is a thin, straw-colored fluid that carries oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the cells and waste products of metabolism away from the cells to be excreted.
