Digestive System Flashcards
(407 cards)
What are the 8 main functions of the digestive system?
ingestion, propulsion, mixing, mastication, secretion, digestion, absorption, elimination
what are the 2 broad types of digestion?
mechanical and chemical
define mechanical digestion
physical disruption of food into smaller parts
define chemical digestion
breakdown into small soluble constituents
what is chemical digestion reliant on?
enzymatic action
what are digestive enzymes produced by?
the body and commensal bacteria
what is digestion carried out by commensal bacteria referred to as?
fermentation
are the digestive system and the digestive tract the same thing?
no
define digestive tract
tubular pathway from oral cavity to anus/cloaca
define digestive system
digestive tract, glands and accessory structures
what are the 4 layers that surround all parts of the digestive tract?
(inside to outside) mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa/adventitia
how does the food bolus move through the digestive tract?
peristalsis
where does the muscle contraction occur relative to the food bolus during peristalsis?
behind the food bolus
how does the length of carnivores GI tract compare to herbivores GI tract?
carnivores usually have shorter intestines relative to size
what do herbivores usually have that carnivores don’t?
very long small intestines and modifications for the digestion of cellulose (e.g. rumen or caecum)
what are the accessory digestive organs?
gallbladder, liver, pancreas, spleen
what is the function of the liver?
vitamin storage, bile production and degradation of toxins and drugs
what is the function of the gallbladder?
storage and concentration of bile
what is the function of the pancreas?
excorine and endocrine gland
what is the function of the spleen?
immune and lymphatic organ and filter of blood
what are the 3 main sections of the gastrointestinal system?
foregut, midgut and hindgut
what structures make up the foregut?
oesophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, proximal duodenum, pancreas
what structures make up the midgut?
distal duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, appendix, ascending colon, proximal 2/3 transverse colon
what structures make up the hindgut?
distal 1/3 transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum