Week 1.1 - Grand tour of Alimentary Canal Flashcards
What are the 2 main parts of the digestive system?
Alimentary canal and accessory organs
What is the GI tract?
external series of hollow organs from mouth, oesophagus, stomach, SI, LI, anus
What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?
solid organs of the digestive system.
salivary glands, liver, pancreas, gallbladder
What are the main functions of the digestive system?
digestion, absorption, secretion and motility
What is digestion? Where does it occur?
breaking our food into simple substances our body can absorb. occurs in stomach
What is digestive absorption?
passage of end products of digestion from GI tract into blood and lymphatic vessels
By which mechanism does absorption occur?
only by diffusion or active transport
Where do absorption and secretion occur?
small intestine
What is secretion?
discharge of substances by cells, glands or organs for a organs function, or for excretion
What is excretion?
when secretion happens to the outside of the body - urine formation or sweating
What is the process of looking into the GI tract?
endoscopy - upper is mouth and lower is anus
What is the function of the liver?
filter for all components in blood. directs to organs to be used or detoxifies as waste
What is the name of the process of movement in the GI tract?
peristalsis - occurs without external innervation
What are the 3 salivary glands in the mouth? Their purpose?
parotid, sublingual and submandibular
used to lubricate food
What is saliva useful for?
contains amylase to break down complex carbs like starch
What occurs in the stomach?
proteins are digested and food is broken into semi-liquid form chyme which can enter small intestine
What is the pancreas used for?
has many digestive enzymes for digesting carbs, fats and proteins.
secretes pancreatic juice to small intestine to aid digestion
What occurs in the liver to aid digestion?
bile salts synthesised. help digestion and absorption of fats in small intestine
What do bile salts act as?
detergent
What is the purpose of the gallbladder?
comes off liver and stores concentrated bile.
Why is it important that the gallbladder stores concentrated bile?
less bile needed for high effectiveness. if its not concentrated, more is needed and individual would have to watch fat intake
What is chemical digestion vs mechanical digestion?
digestion by means of enzymes. not mechanical - contractions in hollow organs to move and break down food
What occurs in the small intestine?
final stages of chemical digestion and nutrient absorption
What occurs in the large intestine?
water absorption and bacterial fermentation
