Digestive System Part 3 Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the role of salivary glands in digestion?
The three pairs of salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) secrete saliva, which contains enzymes like amylase to begin carbohydrate digestion and lubricate food.
What is the function of the lower esophageal sphincter?
The LES prevents stomach contents from regurgitating into the esophagus by closing tightly after food enters the stomach.
What is the purpose of rugae in the stomach?
Rugae allow the stomach to expand when filled with food and increase the surface area for digestion.
What is chyme?
Chyme is the semi-liquid mixture of partially digested food, gastric juices, and enzymes that forms in the stomach before moving to the small intestine.
What happens in the duodenum?
The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine where chyme mixes with bile from the liver and digestive enzymes from the pancreas to continue digestion.
What is the ileocecal valve?
The ileocecal valve is a sphincter between the ileum (small intestine) and cecum (large intestine) that regulates the passage of undigested material.
What is the appendix?
The appendix is a small, wormlike structure attached to the cecum with no known essential function, though it may play a role in gut immunity.
What is albumin, and why is it important?
Albumin is a protein synthesized by the liver that helps maintain fluid balance in the blood and transports substances like hormones and drugs.
What is peristalsis, and where does it occur?
Peristalsis is the rhythmic contraction of muscles in the GI tract that propels food from the esophagus to the rectum.
What are prothrombin and fibrinogen?
These are proteins produced by the liver that are essential for blood clotting.
What is the biliary system?
The biliary system includes the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. It produces, stores, and transports bile for fat digestion.
What are the functions of trypsin, amylase, and lipase?
Trypsin: Breaks down proteins.
Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates.
Lipase: Breaks down fats.
What are common symptoms of a hiatal hernia?
Symptoms include heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and acid reflux, especially when the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm.
What are diverticula?
Diverticula are small pouches that form in the colon wall, often due to increased pressure, leading to a condition called diverticulosis.
What do antispasmodics do?
Antispasmodics are medications that reduce gastrointestinal spasms and relieve pain caused by conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
What is the pyloric sphincter?
The pyloric sphincter is a muscular valve between the stomach and duodenum that regulates the flow of chyme into the small intestine.
