Absorption
process by which the products of digestion pass through the alimentary tube mucosa into the blood or lymph
Accessory Digestive Organs
organs that contribute to the digestive process but are not part of the alimentary canal; include the tongue, teeth, salivary glands, pancreas, liver
Adventitia
outermost layer or covering of some organs
Alimentary Canal
the continuous hollow tube extending from the mouth to the anus; its walls are constructed by the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines
Amylase
digestive system enzyme that breaks down starchy foods
Anus
distal end of digestive tract; outlet of rectum
Appendicitis
inflammation of the appendix (worm-like sac attached to the cecum of the large intestine)
Bile
greenish-yellow or brownish fluid produced in and secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the small intestine
Bilirubin
yellow pigment of bile
Bolus
a rounded mass of food prepared by the mouth for swallowing; any soft round mass
Calculus
a stone formed within various body parts
Cecum
the blind-ended pouch at the beginning of the large intestine
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
an intestinal hormone that stimulates gallbladder contraction and pancreatic juice release
Chyme
semifluid, creamy mass consisting of partially digested food and gastric juice
Cirrhosis
chronic disease of the liver, characterized by an overgrowth of connective tissue or fibrosis
Colon
regions of the large intestine; includes ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid portions
Defecation
elimination of the contents of the bowels (feces)
Deglutition
swallowing
Digestion
a series of catabolic steps in which complex food molecules are broken down to their building blocks by enzymes
Digestive System
system that processes food into absorbable units and eliminates indigestible wastes
Diverticulum
a pouch or sac in the walls of a hollow organ or structure
Duodenum
first part of the small intestine
Emesis
reflexive emptying of the stomach through the esophagus and pharynx; also known as vomiting
Esophagus
muscular tube extending from the laryngopharynx through the diaphragm to join the stomach; collapses when not involved in food propulsion
Feces
material discharged from the bowel; composed of food residue, secretions, bacteria
Gallbladder
sac beneath the right lobe of the liver used for bile storage
Gallstones (Biliary Calculi)
crystallized cholesterol that obstructs the flow of bile from the gallbladder
Gastrin
hormone secreted in the stomach; regulates gastric juice secretion by stimulating HCl production
Gastroenteritis
inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
Hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
Histamine
a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter or paracrine); causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability; in stomach causes acid secretion
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
acid that aids protein digestion in the stomach; produced by parietal cells
Hydrolysis
process in which water is used to split a substance into smaller particles
Ileocecal Valve
site where the small intestine joins the large intestine
Ileum
terminal part of the small intestine; between the jejunum and the cecum of the large intestine
Interstitial Endocrine Cells
cells located in the loose connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules; they produce androgens (most importantly testosterone), which are secreted into the surrounding interstitial fluid
Intrinsic Factor
substance produced by the stomach that is required for vitamin B12 absorption
Jejunum
the part of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum
Labia
lips; singular: labium
Large Intestine
portion of the digestive tract extending from the ileocecal valve to the anus; includes the cecum, appendix, colon, rectum, and anal canal
Liver
lobed accessory organ that overlies the stomach; produces bile to help digest fat, and serves other metabolic and regulatory functions
Mastication
chewing
Mesenteries
double-layered extensions of the peritoneum that support most organs in the abdominal cavity
Molar
(1) a solution concentration determined by mass of solute1 liter of solution contains an amount of solute equal to its molecular weight in grams. (2) Broad back teeth that grind and crush
Monosaccharide
literally, one sugar; building block of carbohydrates; e.g., glucose
Occlusion
closure or obstruction
Palate
roof of the mouth
Pancreas
gland located behind the stomach, between the spleen and the duodenum; produces both endocrine and exocrine secretions
Pancreatic Juice
bicarbonate-rich secretion of the pancreas containing enzymes for digestion of all food categories
Pepsin
enzyme capable of digesting proteins in an acid pH
Peritoneum
serous membrane lining the interior of the abdominal cavity and covering the surfaces of abdominal organs
Peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum
Pharynx
muscular tube extending from the region posterior to the nasal cavities to the esophagus
Pyloric Sphincter
valve of the distal end of the stomach that controls food entry into the duodenum
Rennin
stomach-secreted enzyme that acts on milk protein; not produced in adults
Rugae
elevations or ridges, as in stomach mucosa
Saliva
secretion of the salivary glands; cleanses and moistens the mouth and begins chemical digestion of starchy foods
Small Intestine
convoluted tube extending from the pyloric sphincter to the ileocecal valve where it joins the large intestine; the site where digestion is completed and virtually all absorption occurs
Sphincter
a circular muscle surrounding an opening; acts as a valve
Splanchnic Circulation
the blood vessels serving the digestive system
Stomach
temporary reservoir in the gastrointestinal tract where chemical breakdown of proteins begins and food is converted into chyme
Trypsin
proteolytic enzyme secreted by the pancreas
Ulcer
lesion or erosion of the mucous membrane, such as gastric ulcer of stomach
Uvula
tissue tag hanging from soft palate
Villus
one of the finger-like projections of the small intestinal mucosa that tremendously increase its surface area for absorption
Describe the function of the digestive system, and differentiate between organs of the alimentary canal and accessory digestive organs.
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List and define the major processes occuring during digestive system activity.
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Name one organ of the alimentary canal found in the thorax. Name three organs located in the abdominal cavity.
1
What is the usual site of ingestion?
2
Which digestive system activity actually moves nutrients from the outside to the inside of the body?
3
Describe stimuli and controls of digestive activity.
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When sensors in the GI tract are stimulated, they respond via reflexes. What types of digestive activity may be put into motion via those reflexes?
4
The term "gut brain" does not really mean that there is a brain in the digestive system. What does it refer to?
5
Describe the location and function of the peritoneum.
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Define retroperitoneal and name the retroperitoneal organs of the digestive system.
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Define splanchnic circulation.
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Indicate the importance of the hepatic portal system.
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How does the location of the visceral peritoneum differ from that of the parietal peritoneum?
6
Of the following organs, which is/are retroperitoneal?
7
What name is given to the venous portion of the splanchnic circulation?
8
Describe the tissue composition and general function of each of the four layers of the alimentary canal.
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Name the layers of the alimentary canal from the inside out.
9
Jerry has been given a drug that inhibits parasympathetic stimulation of his digestive tract. Should he "eat hearty" or temporarily refrain from eating, and why?
10
Describe the gross and microscopic anatomy and the basic functions of the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus.
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Describe the composition and functions of saliva, and explain how salivation is regulated.
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Explain the dental formula and differentiate clearly between deciduous and permanent teeth.
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How does the oral vestibule differ from the oral cavity proper?
11
Which structure forms the roof of the mouth?
12
Besides preparing food for swallowing, the tongue has another role. What is it?
13
What is the importance of the serous portion of saliva?
14
Name three antimicrobial substances found in saliva.
15
Seven -year-old Tina ran to her daddy to show him her lower central incisor which she had wiggled until it "fell out." Is this a primary or permanent tooth? What name is given to teeth that (according to Tina) fall out??
16
Which tooth substance is harder than bone? Which tooth region includes nervous tissue and blood vessels??
17
Which teeth are the "grinders"?
18
To which two organ systems does the pharynx belong?
19
How is the muscularis externa of the esophagus unique in the body?
20
What is the functional significance of the epithelial change seen at the esophagus-stomach junction?
21
Describe the mechanisms of chewing and swallowing.
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What role does the tongue play in swallowing?
22
How are the respiratory passages blocked during swallowing?
23
Identify structural modifications of the wall of the stomach that enhances the digestive process.
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Name the cell types responsible for secreting the various components of gastric juice and indicate the importance of each component in stomach activity.
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Describe stomach structure and indicate changes in the basic alimentary canal structure that aid in digestive function.
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What structural modification of the stomach wall underlies the stomach's ability to mechanically break down food?
24
Two substances secreted by cells of the gastric glands are needed to produce the active protein-digesting enzyme pepsin. What are these substances and which cells secrete them?
25
Which protective substances or activities make up the so-called mucosal barrier?
26
Explain how gastric secretions and stomach motility are regulated.
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Define and account for the alkaline tide.
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Name the three phases of gastric secretion.
27
How does the presence of food in the small intestine inhibit gastric secretion and motility?
28
How does the pH of venous blood leaving the stomach change during a meal?
29
Identify and describe structural modifications of the wall of the small intestine that enhances the digestive process.
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Differentiate between the role of the various cell types of the intestinal mucosa.
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Describe the function of intestinal hormones and paracrines.
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What common advantage do circular folds, villi, and microvilli provide to the digestive process? Which of these modifications cause chyme to spiral through the lumen and slows its passage??
30
What are brush border enzymes?
31
What is a lacteal and what is its function?
32
Name three secretory products that help protect the intestinal mucosa from bacterial damage.
33
Describe the histologic anatomy of the liver.
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State the role of bile in digestion.
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Describe the role of the gallbladder.
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What is a portal triad?
34
What is the importance of the enterohepatic circulation?
35
What is the role of the stellate macrophages of the liver?
36
State the role of pancreatic juice in digestion.
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What do zygomen granules contain?
37
What is the functional difference between pancreatic acini and islets?
38
Describe how bile and pancreatic juice secretion into the small intestine are regulated.
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What is the make up of the fluid in the pancreatic duct? In the cystic duct?? In the bile duct???
39
What stimulates CCK release and what are its effects on the digestive process?
40
Distension of the stomach and duodenal walls have different effects on stomach secretory activity. What are these effects?
41
Which is more important in moving food along the small intestine - peristalsis or segmentation?
42
What is the MMC and why is it important?
43
List the major functions of the large intestine.
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Describe the regulation of defecation.
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What propulsive movements are unique to the large intestine?
44
What is the result of stimulation of stretch receptors in the rectal walls?
45
In what ways are enteric bacteria important to our nutrition?
46
List the enzymes involved in digestion; name the foodstuffs on which they act.
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List the end products of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid digestion.
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Describe the process by which breakdown products of foodstuff are absorbed in the small intestine.
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What type of chemical reaction is the basis of all enzymatic food breakdown?
47
Fill in the blank: Amylase is to starch as _____ is to fats.
48
What is the role of bile salts in the digestive process? In absorption??
49
Describe embryonic development of the digestive system.
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Describe abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract at different stages of life.
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From which germ layer does the digestive system mucosa develop?
50
How does cystic fibrosis interfere with the digestive process?
51
Why are colon and stomach cancers so dangerous?
52