Digestive System Flashcards
abdomen
the portion of the body between the thorax (chest) and the pelvis; the diaphragm separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. The stomach is located in the upper left quadrant.
absorption
the passage of substances across and into tissues, such as the passage of digested food molecules into intestinal cells or the passage of liquids into kidney tubules.
alimentary canal
a musculomembranous tube, about 30 feet long, extending from the mouth to the anus and line with mucous membrane. Also called the digestive tract or the gastrointestinal tract.
amino acids
an organic chemical compound composed f one or more basic amino groups and one or more acidic carboxyl groups.
amylase
an enzyme that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules
anus
the opening through which the solid wastes (feces) are eliminated from the body.
ascitic fluid
a watery fluid containing albumin, glucose, and electrolytes that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity in association with certain disease conditions (such as liver disease).
bicuspid tooth
one of the two teeth between the molars and canines of the upper and lower jaw, these teeth have a flat surface with multiple projections (cusps) for crushing and grinding food; also known as premolar tooth.
bile
a bitter, yellow-green secretion of the liver.
bilirubin
the orange-yellow pigment of bile, formed principally by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells after termination of their normal life span.
bolus
a ball-like mass of chewed food (mixed with saliva) that is ready to be swallowed.
bowel
the portion o the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric opening of the stomach to the anus.
canine tooth
any one of the fourth teeth, two in each jaw, situated immediately lateral to the incisor teeth in the human dental arches; also called cuspid tooth
cardiac sphincter
the muscular ring (sphincter) in the stomach that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach; also known as the lower esophageal sphincter.
cecum
a cul-de-sac containing the first part of the large intestine. It joins the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine.
cholangiogram
a record, or X-ray film, of the bile ducts following the injection of a radiopaque contrast medium.
choledocholithiasis
the presence of stone (calculus) in the common bile duct.
cholelithiasis
abnormal presence of gallstones in the gallbladder
chyme
the liquidlike material of partially digested food and digestive secretions found in the stomach just before it is released into the duodenum.
colon
the portion of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum
common bile duct
the duct formed by the joining of the cystic duct and the hepatic duct.
crown
the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line
cuspid tooth
any one of the fourth teeth, two in each jaw, situated immediately lateral to the incisor teeth in the human dental arches; also called canine tooth
deciduous teeth
the first set or primary teeth; baby teeth