Unit 9 - Digestive System Key Terms Flashcards
oral cavity
the mouth
pharynx
throat
esophagus
10 inch long tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach, takes about 10 seconds for swallowed food to reach the stomach
stomach
acts as a bag to collect and churn food
small intestine
major site of digestion and absorption of nutrients from food, average of 20 feet long
colon
large intestine, fluid that remains after the small intestine mostly gets reabsorbed into the body
palate
roof of the oral cavity
epiglottis
cartilaginous flap that folds down to cover the larynx and trachea so food is prevented from entering the respiratory tract.
peristalsis
wavelike muscular contractions
chyme
mixture of food and other digestive juices
lower esophageal sphincter
keeps the food from flowing back into the esophagus
pyloric sphincter
regulates the passage of food into the small intestine
three sections of the small intestine in order
duodenum, jejunum, ileum
cecum
pouch or saclike area in the first 2-3 inches at the beginning of the colon
large intestine sections in order
ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon
salivary glands
produces saliva which contains the digestive enzyme amylase that begins the digestion of carbohydrates
liver
processes nutrients absorbed by the small intestine, detoxifies harmful substances, produces bile which helps break up fat. This is the only organ that can regenerate itself.
gallbladder
bile produced by the liver is stored here
pancreas
buffers neutralize the chyme that just left the stomach, pancreatic enzymes chemically digest fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
feces
solid waste
