1.
absorption: process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood
2.
alimentary canal: digestive tract consisting of a tube running between the mouth and the anus
3.
anus: muscular opening at the end of the rectum
4.
bile: a substance produced by the liver that breaks up fat particles
5.
bolus: chewed up clump of food
6.
cardioesophageal sphincter: muscular opening between the esophagus and stomach
7.
cecum: first part of the large intestine where appendix is attached
8.
chemical digestion: process in which enzymes and other chemicals are used to break foods into their smaller chemical building blocks
9.
chief cells: secrete pepsinogen, the inactive form of pepsin, in the stomach
10.
chyme: acidic, semiliquid mass of partially digested food and gastric juice
11.
defecation: elimination of fecal waste through the anus
12.
deglutition: swallowing
13.
duodenum: first portion of the small intestine which receives secretions from the gallbladder and pancreas
14.
elimination: process of passing undigested material out of the anus
15.
epiglottis: flap of cartilage that covers the trachea while swallowing
16.
esophagus: muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach
17.
gallbladder: stores and concentrates the bile produced in the liver
18.
gastrin: hormone secreted by stomach cells that signal glands in stomach to release gastric juice
19.
glucagon: pancreatic hormone that raises blood sugar
20.
goblet cells: secrete an alkaline mucus to protect the lining of the small intestine from stomach acid
21.
haustra: pouches of the large intestine that allow expansion and elongation
22.
ileocecal valve: sphincter separating the small and large intestine
23.
ileum: last and longest portion of the small intestine where most absorption takes place
24.
ingestion: process of taking in food
25.
insulin: pancreatic hormone that lowers blood sugar
26.
jejunum: second portion of the small intestine where most chemical digestion is completed
27.
large intestine: organ that absorbs water from undigested material
28.
liver: produces bile and stores glycogen
29.
mastication: chewing
30.
mechanical processing: physical breakdown of foods
31.
mesenteries: connective tissues that anchor organs to the body wall and provide a pathway for nerves and blood vessels
32.
microvilli: extensions of the plasma membrane that increase its surface area
33.
mouth: oral cavity; mechanical digestion (chewing) and chemical digestion of carbs start
34.
mucosa: innermost layer of digestive tract
35.
mucus neck cells: produce an acidic mucus in the stomach
36.
muscularis externa: bilayer of smooth muscle which consists of a layer running circularly and another running longitudinally
37.
pancreas: produces insulin and glucagon, enzymes, and sodium bicarbonate
38.
parietal cells: produce hydrochloric acid which kills bacteria and activates pepsinogen
39.
parietal peritoneum: serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
40.
pepsin: enzyme hat begins the breakdown of proteins in the stomach
41.
peristalsis: involuntary waves of muscle contraction that keep food moving along in one direction through the digestive system
42.
Peyer's patches: collections of lymphatic tissue found along the length of the small intestine
43.
pharynx: the throat; last place food and air mix
44.
propulsion: movement of food from one organ to the next
45.
pyloric sphincter: circular muscle that controls the movement of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine
46.
rectum: lower part of the large intestine where feces are stored
47.
rennin: a milk protein-digesting enzyme found in babies but not adults
48.
rugae: numerous folds of the stomach which allow the stomach to be able to expand
49.
saliva: contains mucus, enzymes, and water; moistens food
50.
salivary amylase: enzyme in saliva that begins the breakdown of carbs
51.
salivary glands: three pairs of exocrine glands in the mouth that secrete saliva; the parotid, submandibular (submaxillary), and sublingual glands
52.
secretion: process of producing a substance within an organ and discharging it
53.
segmentation: rhythmic mixing of chyme with digestive enzymes in the small intestine
54.
serosa: outer layer the alimentary canal; secretes a watery fluid to reduce friction
55.
small intestine: organ in which most chemical digestion takes place
56.
soft palate: soft part of the back of the roof of the mouth, closes off nasal cavities when swallowing
57.
stomach: large muscular sac that continues mechanical digestion and starts chemical digestion of proteins
58.
submucosa: layer superficial to the mucosa which contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves
59.
tongue: muscular organ which assists with chewing, swallowing, and taste
60.
tonsils: clusters of lymphatic tissue found in the pharynx
61.
villi: projections inside the small intestine that increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients
62.
visceral peritoneum: serous membrane that covers abdominal organs
