Flashcards - Anatomy of the Digestive System Flashcards | Study.com (2024)

Path of food in the upper gastrointestinal tract

Zymogen

A term that refers to an enzymatic precursor. Enzymes in this form are inactive.

Pyloric Sphincter

This valve sits at the bottom of the human stomach and works to control the amount of food that passes from the stomach to the small intestine.

Epiglottis

We count on this flap, located in the back of our throat, to keep food from entering our airway.

Pepsin

This enzyme plays an important role in the process of digestion by breaking down proteins.

Digestion in the Mouth

This body part begins the process of both physical and chemical digestion, supported by the release of amylase in saliva.

Digestion in the Stomach

We use this organ to continue the chemical and physical processes of digestion that began in the mouth. It has elastic walls and contains gastric juices.

Ileum

The final section of the small intestine

Villi

These finger-like structures line the folds of the small intestine. They provide additional surface area, allowing increased absorption of nutrients.

Jejunum

We use this term when talking about the middle section of the small intestine.

Duodenum

The first section of the small intestine that attaches directly to the stomach. Additional gastric juices are added to the food in this area.

Uses of muscles during digestion

The human body uses these to churn food in the stomach, open sphincters and complete the process of peristalsis.

Enterogastric Reflex

Fullness in the duodenum triggers this reflex, which acts to slow down the digestive processes in the stomach to give the small intestine time to continue digestion.

Pendular Movements

Longitudinal muscle relaxations and contractions that occur in the small intestine to mix chyme and foster increased absorption of nutrients

Segmentation

A movement process in the small intestine that occurs when circular muscles close the organ into segments, moving chyme and increasing absorption

Peristalsis

These muscular contractions occur in wavelike patterns in the esophagus and small intestine as they move food through the organs.

Function of Large Intestine

This organ's main function is the reabsorption of water.

Small intestinal structures that improve nutrient absorption

About this flashcard set

Flashcard Content Overview

You can use these flashcards to review the digestive functions of the mouth, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. You'll be able to go over specific parts of the body that play a role in digestion, including the epiglottis and pyloric sphincter. Specific digestive processes, such as peristalsis, segmentation and pendular movements, will be covered.