Digestive System Flashcards
(16 cards)
Pharynx
(Back of mouth cavity) - By moving upwards and backwards, the tongue pushes food into the pharynx for swallowing
Mouth Cavity
Mechanical digestion by teeth, chemical digestion of starch by saliva
Salivary Glands
Three pairs of glands produce saliva, which dissolves food so it can be tasted. Saliva contains mucus that lubricates mouth and food and holds food in a lump for swallowing. It also contains the enzyme salivary amylase, which beings starch digestion
Oesophagus
Carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It passes through the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity
Liver
Produces bile which is stored and concentrated in the gall bladder. Bile emulsifies lipids in June small intestine
Stomach
Mechanical digestion by churning action - chemical digestion by pepsin, which begins protein digestion. In infants rennin coagulates milk protein
Gall Bladder
Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine where the bile emulsifies lipids
Pyloric Sphincter
Band of circular muscle that regulates flow of material from stomach to duodenum
Duodenum
First part of small intestine
Pancreas
Produces pancreatic juice containing enzymes for digesting proteins, lipids and nucleic acids
Transverse Colon - Ascending Colon - Descending Colon
Longest part of large intestine. Absorbs water, minerals, vitamins
Caecum
First part of large intestine
Small Intestine
About six meters long. It’s lining secrets intestinal juice, which contains many enzymes. The internal surface is lined with villi for absorption of digested food
Appendix
Has no functions in humans
Rectum
Final part of large intestine in which faeces are formed
Anus
Opening surrounded by the anal sphincter, a muscle that can be voluntarily controlled
