Digestive System Flashcards
What is the role of the digestive system?
It breaks down food into tiny particles so they can easily pass through cell membranes allowing nutrients to be distributed
Why is the digestive system important for homeostasis?
Adequate food and water is necessary for maintaining the internal environment and normal functioning of most cells
What is digestion?
A process where large complex food substances can be broken down into simple substances that can be easily absorbed
What organs are part of the digestive tract?
Mouth Oesophagus Stomach Small intestine Large intestine Rectum Anus
What are the accessory organs of digestion?
Liver
Pancreas
Gall bladder
Salivary glands
What are the key points of the digestive tract?
Hollow
10m long
Mouth to anus
Passes through the thorax, abdomen and pelvis
Where does ingestion take place?
Mouth- food intake
How and where does propulsion take place?
Movement by peristalsis
Oesophagus
Stomach
Small and large intestine
Where does digestion take place?
Mouth - mechanically through teeth and tongue and chemically through saliva
Stomach - mechanically through churning and chemically through stomach acid
Small intestine - chemically
Where does absorption take place?
Small intestine
Where does elimination happen?
Rectum and anus
What happens during mastication and swallowing?
A bolus is formed
Tongue directs food
Swallowing moves the food from the pharynx to oesophagus
Epiglottis stops food getting foods from getting into the lungs
What are the four layers around the lumen of the digestive tract?
Mucosa
Submucosa
Muscularis
Serosa
What is the main role of the oesophagus?
Comments pharynx to stomach
Moves bolus through contractions known as peristalsis
What is the main role of the stomach?
Mixes and churns food juices producing chyme which is squirted into the duodenum
