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Flashcards

Week Ten: Digestive System

Alex Betts English 52 cards

Cards in this deck (52)

  1. 1AbsorptionThe process by which nutrients and water from digested food are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine, allowing essential nutrients to be transported throughout the body, where they are utilised for energy, growth, and maintenance of bodily functions.
  2. 2AdventitaThe outermost layer that surrounds and supports organs such as the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Unlike the serosa, which is covered by a layer of mesothelium, the adventitia is found in areas of the digestive tract that are not covered by peritoneum. Its main function is to provide structural support and stability to these organs.
  3. 3AmylaseAn enzyme primarily produced by the salivary glands and pancreas. Plays a crucial role in the digestion of carbohydrates, breaking down starch into simpler sugars It begins the process of carbohydrate digestion in the mouth, where it mixes with saliva to break down starches into smaller molecules. It continues to work in the small intestine, where pancreatic amylase further breaks down starches into absorbable sugar molecules, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream for energy.
  4. 4AnusThe opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces is expelled from the body during defecation. It is the terminal part of the large intestine and serves as the exit point for undigested food, bacteria, and waste products that have passed through the digestive system. It's surrounded by anal sphincters, which help control the passage and defaecation of feces.
  5. 5BileA greenish-yellow fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats. Bile contains bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, and more. When food containing fats enters the small intestine, bile is released into the duodenum. Bile emulsifies fat, which increases the surface area for enzymes called lipases to digest the fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
  6. 6BolusA mass of partially chewed food mixed with saliva that forms in the mouth during the process of chewing. Once formed, the bolus is swallowed and moves through the esophagus to the stomach, where further digestion and breakdown of nutrients occur.
  7. 7CaecumA pouch-like structure located at the beginning of the large intestine. It serves as a site for the fermentation of indigestible plant matter and the absorption of water and salts. Also houses beneficial bacteria that aid in the digestion of cellulose and other complex carbohydrates.
  8. 8CanaliculiSmall ducts that collect bile produced by hepatocytes and transport it towards the bile ducts for eventual release into the small intestine to aid in digestion. They play a role in the excretion of bile from the liver and its transport within the digestive system.
  9. 9CardiaThe area of the stomach that is closest to the opening of the esophagus. It is located near the gastroesophageal junction, where the esophagus connects to the stomach. Serves as the entry point for food and liquids into the stomach, and it contains specialised cells that produce mucus to help protect the stomach lining from the acidic environment of gastric juices.
  10. 10ChymeThe semifluid mixture of partly digested food and digestive secretions found in the stomach and small intestine during digestion of a meal
  11. 11Circular foldsPermanent, deep, transverse folds in the mucosa and submucosa of the small intestine that increases surface area for absorption. Also called plicae circulares
  12. 12Colon (ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid)Portion of the large intestine consisting of ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid portions. Together, these segments of the colon work to absorb water and electrolytes from undigested food, consolidate waste into feces, and facilitate its passage towards the rectum for elimination from the body.
  13. 13Crypts of LieberkuhnAlso known as intestinal glands or intestinal crypts. Small tubular structures found in the lining of the small intestine. These crypts extend downwards from the surface of the intestinal mucosa into the underlying connective tissue. Main functions include secretion and absorption. Overall, they contribute to the digestive and absorptive functions of the small intestine.
  14. 14DefaecationThe discharge of faeces from the rectum
  15. 15DeglutitionThe act of swallowing
  16. 16DigestionThe mechanical and chemical breakdown of food to simple molecules that can be absorbed and used by body cells
  17. 17DuodenumThe first 25cm of the small intestine, which connects the stomach and the ileum
  18. 18EmulsificationThe dispersion of large lipid globules into smaller, uniformly distributed particles in the presence of bile
  19. 19FundusThe part of a hollow organ farthest from the opening; the rounded portion of the stomach superior and to the left of the cardia; the broad portion of the gallbladder that projects downward beyond the inferior border of the liver
  20. 20Gall bladderA small pouch, located inferior to the liver, that stores bile and empties by means of the cystic duct
  21. 21Gastrointestinal (GI) tractA continuous tube running through the ventral body cavity extending from the mouth to the anus. Also called the alimentary canal
  22. 22HepatocytesLiver cells
  23. 23Hydrochloric acid (HCL)A strong acid produced by the parietal cells of the stomach lining. Plays a crucial role in the digestive process by activating enzymes (pepsinogen --> pepsin), optimising pH (~1.5 - 3.5), and killing pathogens.
  24. 24IleumThe terminal part of the small intestine
  25. 25IngestionAlso called eating. The process of taking food, liquids, or substances into the mouth to initiate the digestive process.
  26. 26JejunumThe middle part of the small intestine
  27. 27LactealOne of many lymphatic vessels in villi of the intestines that absorb triglycerides and other lipids from digested food
  28. 28LipasesEnzymes that split triglycerides and phospholipids
  29. 29LiverLarge organ under the diaphragm occupies most of the right hypochondriac region and part of the epigastric region. Produces bile and synthesises most plasma proteins; interconverts nutrients; detoxifies substances; stores glycogen, iron, & vitamins; carries on phagocytosis of worn-out BCs and bacteria; & helps synthesise the active form of Vitamin D
  30. 30LobulesSmall glandular units found within the liver. Each lobule is composed of hepatocytes arranged around a central vein and is surrounded by connective tissue. They're the functional units of the liver and are responsible for carrying out various metabolic processes, including the synthesis of proteins, detoxification of harmful substances, storage of glycogen, and production of bile. Blood flows through the lobules, allowing hepatocytes to perform their functions and regulate the composition of blood circulating through the liver.
  31. 31MasticationChewing
  32. 32Microvilli/VilliMicroscopic, finger-like projections of the plasma membrane of cells that increase surface area for absorption, especially in the small intestine and proximal convoluted tubules of the kidneys
  33. 33MucosaA membrane that lines a body cavity that opens to the exterior. Also called the mucous membrane
  34. 34MuscularisA muscular layer of an organ, such as the muscularis of the stomach. In the stomach it has an extra layer of transverse epithelial cells.
  35. 35MucousSlippery, gel-like substance produced by goblet cells. It lines the inner surface of the digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Functions include protection, lubrication, moistening, and trapping pathogens.
  36. 36OesophagusThe hollow muscular tube that connects the pharynx and the stomach
  37. 37PancreasA soft, oblong, organ lying along the greater curvature of the stomach and connected by a duct to the duodenum. It's both an exocrine and endocrine gland
  38. 38PepsinProtein-digesting enzyme secreted by chief cells of the stomach in the inactive form pepsinogen, which is converted to active pepsin by HCL.
  39. 39PeristalsisSuccessive muscular contractions along the wall of a hollow muscular structure (ie. oesophagus)
  40. 40PharynxThe throat; a tube that starts at the internal nares and runs partway down the neck, where it opens into the oesophagus posteriorly and the larynx anteriorly
  41. 41PylorusRegion of the pyloric part of the stomach that connects to the duodenum.
  42. 42RectumThe last 20cm of the GI tract, from the sigmoid colon to the anus
  43. 43SalivaA clear, alkaline, somewhat viscous secretion produced mostly by the three pairs of salivary glands; contains various salts, mucin, lysozyme, salivary amylase, and lingual lipase (produced by glands in the tongue)
  44. 44Salivary glands (parotid, sublingual, submandibular)Three pairs of glands that lie external to the mouth and pour their secretory product (saliva) into ducts that empty into the oral cavity; the parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands
  45. 45SegmentationA rhythmic, localised contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the wall of the small intestine. This movement pattern helps to mix the partially digested food with digestive enzymes. Unlike peristalsis, segmentation occurs in specific segments of the small intestine and doesn't result in significant movement of food in one direction. Instead, it facilitates the breaking down of food particles and enhances contact between the food and the absorptive surface of the intestine.
  46. 46SerosaSuperficial layer of portions of the GI tract that are suspended in the abdominal cavity. Also called the serous membrane
  47. 47SinusoidsSpecialised blood vessels found within the liver. Lined with endothelial cells and characterised by their large, irregularly shaped lumens. They play a crucial role in the liver's function as a metabolic and detoxification organ. They receive blood from branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein, allowing for the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the blood and hepatocytes. Sinusoids facilitate the filtration and processing of blood, including the removal of toxins, metabolic waste, and old RBCs.
  48. 48SphincterRing-like muscle that regulates the flow of materials between two adjacent structures. They act as valves, opening and closing to control the passage of food, liquids, or waste. They help maintain pressure within different compartments of the digestive system, preventing reflux and regulating the timing and direction of movement. Examples include the lower esophageal sphincter, pyloric sphincter, and anal sphincters.
  49. 49StomachThe J-shaped enlargement of the GI tract directly inferior to the diaphragm in the epigastric, umbilical, and left hypochondriac regions of the abdomen, between the oesophagus and small intestine
  50. 50SubmucosaA layer of connective tissue located deep to a mucous membrane, as in the GI tract; the submucosa connects the mucosa to the muscularis layer
  51. 51TeethAccessory structures of digestion, composed of calcified connective tissue and embedded in bony sockets of the mandible and maxilla, that cut, shred, crush, and grind food.
  52. 52TongueA large skeletal muscle covered by a mucous membrane located on the floor of the oral cavity.

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Flashcards on Week Ten: Digestive System, created by Alex Betts on 15/05/2024.
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