Digestive System Terminology Flashcards
what is the main function of the digestive system
the digestion and absorption of food
where does food and nutrients enter the body
the mouth
what begins the process of digesting food
teeth and gums
Are teeth part of the digestive system?
yes
how do teeth sense heat, cold, pressure, and pain
there are nerves inside teeth that detect these changes
where does food go after it passes the mouth
food will enter the esophagus (esofago)
what is the epiglottis
the flap of skin that is controlled by the brain
what is the function of the epiglottis
it opens and closes and prevents food from entering the trachea by mistake
what is the trachea
(traquea)
the windpipe tube that carries air to the lungs
Next step after food passes through the esophagus
goes to stomach where food is mixed with stomach juices that contain enzymes that aid in the digestion of food
step after food goes through the stomach
food will then enter the small intestine (intestino delgado)
how does the small intestine aid the digestive process
small intestine will add more digestive enzymes or juices which help the body to break down and absorb nutrients
what are the 3 parts of the small intestine
- duodenum
- jejunum
- ileum
what occurs in the duodenum
juices from the liver and pancreas are added
what occurs as food travels along the small intestine
the body will absorb nutrients found within the food and leave the waste
where does the waste go
waste will go to the large intestine (intestino grueso) and is turned into feces as it is prepared to be removed from the body
where does the digested food go after the large intestine
digested food goes through the large intestine, enters the ascending colon, then the transverse colon, then the descending colon, finally reaching the sigmoid colon before entering the rectum
what occurs at the rectum
(recto)
this is when solid waste is expelled from the body
what is a bowel movement
(movimiento intestinal)
the process of expelling solid waste
what is another name for the large intestine
the bowel (intestino)
what is the largest internal organ of the body
the liver (higado)
what is the function of the liver
- control what is in the blood like getting rid of alcohol and poisonous chemicals
- liver also makes bile
where is bile stored
in the gallbladder (vesicula biliar)
what is function of the gallbladder
it empties bile into the small intestine to help break down fatty foods