Chapter 3.2 The human digestive system Flashcards
(9 cards)
What is the function of the mouth?
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract; and, in fact, digestion starts here when taking the first bite of food. Chewing breaks the food into pieces that are more easily digested, while saliva mixes with food to begin the process of breaking it down into a form your body can absorb and use.
What is the function of the liver?
The liver’s main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolizes drugs. As it does so, the liver secretes bile that ends up back in the intestines.
What is the function of stomach?
The stomach secretes acid and enzymes that digest food. Ridges of muscle tissue called rugae line the stomach. The stomach muscles contract periodically, churning food to enhance digestion. The pyloric sphincter(the 2nd sphincter) is a muscular valve that opens to allow food to pass from the stomach to the small intestine.
What is the function of the gallbladder?
Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a yellow-brown digestive enzyme produced by the liver. The gallbladder is part of the biliary tract. The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile while it’s not being used for digestion. The gallbladder’s absorbent lining concentrates the stored bile.
What is the function of the pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ located in the abdomen. It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body’s cells. The pancreas has two main functions: an exocrine function that helps in digestion and an endocrine function that regulates blood sugar.
What is the function of the small intestine?
The small intestine is the part of the intestines where 90% of the digestion and absorption of food occurs, the other 10% taking place in the stomach and large intestine. The main function of the small intestine is absorption of nutrients and minerals from food.
What is the function of the large intestine?
The major function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food matter and transmit the useless waste material from the body.
What is the function of the rectum?
The key role of the rectal ampulla is to act as a temporary storehouse for feces.
What is the function of the anus?
The anus is the last part of the digestive tract. It is a 2-inch long canal consisting of the pelvic floor muscles and the two anal sphincters (internal and external). The lining of the upper anus is specialised to detect rectal contents. It lets you know whether the contents are liquid, gas, or solid.
