Organs & Organ Systems ( Digestive System) Flashcards
Main functions of the digestive system
Ingestion, digestion, and absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste
Ingestion
Taking in
Digestion
Breaking down
Oral Cavity ( The mouth)
Lined with epithelial tissues and contains glands that secrete mucus, saliva, and enzymes to start to break down food
Where does digestion begin?
The mouth
Tongue
Moves food to the back of the throat
Esophagus
A tube that moves food along by peristalsis- rhythmic, constrictions and relaxations of the smooth muscle
Epiglottis
A thin lid-like flap of cartilage tissue that’s attached to the root of the tongue
When resting, the epiglottis allows air to pass through
The Larynx
And into the respiratory, but when swallowing, it covers the entrance tot he larynx to prevent food and drink from entering the trachea
Trachea
The airway leads from the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi (large airways that lead to the lungs). Also called a windpipe.
Larynx
It’s a hollow tube that lets air pass from your throat
Small Intestine
Partially digested nutrients and undigested waste products move into the small intestine
Large Intestine
Waste/ food then moves into the large intestine where the absorption of water takes place, and leaves a solid waste material
Pharynx
The Throat
Stomach
Where food enters, made up of epithelial, connective, nervous & muscle tissues
Food is churned and mixed with digestive juices and enzymes to continue digestion
