Digestive System Part 1 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the digestive system?
The digestive system, also called the gastrointestinal (GI) system, includes the GI tract (from the mouth to the anus) and accessory organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas). Its functions: break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste.
What is the role of the mouth in digestion?
The mouth (oral cavity) begins digestion through mechanical breakdown (teeth) and chemical breakdown (saliva). Saliva, secreted by salivary glands, helps form food into a bolus.
What is the role of teeth in digestion?
Teeth perform mastication (chewing), breaking food into smaller pieces for easier digestion.
What does the tongue do?
The tongue assists in chewing, swallowing (deglutition), taste, and speech production.
How does food travel from the mouth to the stomach?
The pharynx (throat) guides the bolus to the esophagus. The epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea by covering it during swallowing.
What happens in the stomach?
The stomach digests food chemically (enzymes, HCl) and mechanically (churning). Food becomes chyme and passes into the duodenum via the pyloric sphincter.
What are the parts of the small intestine?
The small intestine has three parts:
1. Duodenum: Uppermost segment.
2. Jejunum: Middle segment.
3. Ileum: Terminal segment connecting to the large intestine via the ileocecal valve.
What are the functions of the large intestine?
The large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum) absorbs water, forms feces, and eliminates waste. It does not digest food.
What are the main functions of the liver?
Produces bile for fat digestion.
Stores vitamins (A, D, E, K, B12).
Detoxifies harmful substances.
Synthesizes proteins for blood clotting.
What is the role of the gallbladder?
Stores bile and releases it into the duodenum via the common bile duct for fat digestion.
What are the functions of the pancreas?
Endocrine function: Secretes insulin to regulate blood glucose.
Exocrine function: Produces digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, trypsin) that aid in food digestion.
What is peristalsis?
Rhythmic muscle contractions that propel food through the GI tract.
What is Peptic Ulcer Disease?
A condition where open sores form in the stomach or duodenum lining, often caused by Helicobacter pylori infection.
What is cirrhosis?
Scarring and dysfunction of the liver caused by chronic liver disease.
What is IBS?
A disorder causing abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation) without structural damage.
Match medication categories to their uses.
- Antacids: Neutralize stomach acid.
- Antidiarrheals: Control loose stools.
- Antiemetics: Control nausea and vomiting.
- Antispasmodics: Reduce GI spasms.
- H2 Blockers: Decrease stomach acid secretion.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Suppress acid production.
