Digestive System Flashcards
The digestive system is also called what? (2)
- Alimentary canal
- Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Consist of a long continuous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. What is this?
What does this include?
Digestive System
- mouth
- pharynx
- esophagus
- stomach
- small intestine
- large intestine
What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?
- Tongue and teeth
- salivary glands
- liver
- gallbladder
- pancreas
What is the function of the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas?
Secretes fluid into the digestive tract
Food undergoes three types of process in the body which are:
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Metabolism
Digestion and absorption occur in the digestive tract. After nutrients are absorbed, they are available to all cells in the body used by the cells in metabolism
Taking in of food. Preparation of food for use by the body’s cells.
Ingestion
Food broken into smaller particles. Preparation of food for use by the body’s cells. What is this?
What are the 2 forms of this digestion?
Mechanical digestion
- chewing (mastication)
- Churning and mixing actions in stomach
Form of digestion in preparing food for use by body’s cells.
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are transformed into smaller molecules– can be absorbed and used by the cells. What is this?
What other thing apart of this form of digestion is involved in the break down of complex molecules in food?
Chemical digestion
- hydrolysis
Water is used to break down the complex molecules in food.
Hydrolysis
known as swallowing
Deglutition
Occur in stomach (smooth muscle contractions)–mix food particles with enzymes
Mixing movements
Rhythmic waves of contractions–propels food particles through digestive tract
Peristalsis
Food molecules pass through lining of the small intestine into blood
Absorption
Food molecules that cannot be digested are eliminated from body.
Elimination
Removal of indigestible wastes (feces) through the anus
Defecation
Long continuous tube, 30 feet long. Opens to outside at both ends (mouth and anus). This is the structure of the digestive tract.
What are the four layers of tunics?
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Muscle layer
- Serosa or adventitia
Innermost tunic. Lines lumen of digestive tract. Consists of epithelium, loose connective tissue, smooth muscle. In certain regions, this develops folds. Increase surface area for absorption. Cells here secrete mucus, digestive enzymes, and hormones.
Mucosa
Thick layer of loose connective tissue. Contains blood and lymphatic vessels which carries away absorbed nutrients. Contains nerves that form a network (submucosal plexus).
Submucosa
Contains nerves that form a network. Provides autonomic nerve impulses to the muscle layers of the digestive tract.
Submucosal plexus
Also known as muscularis.
Muscle layer
Contraction causes decrease in diameter of the tube. In muscle layer.
Inner circular layer
Contraction causes shortening of the tube. In middle layer.
Outer longitudinal layer
Network of autonomic nerve fibers between muscle layers. In muscle layer.
Myenteric plexus
Outermost layer of digestive tract tunic.
Serosa or adventitia