Topic 5: Digestive System

Question 1

Digestive System Overview

Explain the flow of food through the digestive system.

Answer 1

Food enters the mouth → pharynx → esophagus → stomach → small intestine (duodenum → jejunum → ileum) → ileocecal valve → large intestine (cecum → ascending colon → transverse colon → descending colon → sigmoid colon) → rectum → anus.

Question 2

Digestive System Overview

Contrast chemical and mechanical digestion.

Answer 2

Mechanical digestion involves the physical breakdown of food (e.g., chewing, churning), while chemical digestion uses enzymes and acids to break down food at the molecular level.

Question 3

Microscopic Structures

What type of epithelium lines the esophagus?

Answer 3

Stratified squamous epithelium.

Question 4

Microscopic Structures

What are gastric pits and their function?

Answer 4

Gastric pits are openings to glands in the stomach mucosa that secrete gastric juice including acid and enzymes.

Question 5

Microscopic Structures

What is the function of villi in the small intestine?

Answer 5

Villi increase the surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine.

Question 6

Microscopic Structures

What do Brunner’s glands secrete and where are they located?

Answer 6

Brunner’s glands secrete mucus to neutralize stomach acid; they are located in the duodenum.

Question 7

Microscopic Structures

What is special about the villi in the jejunum?

Answer 7

They are more pronounced to maximize nutrient absorption.

Question 8

Microscopic Structures

What are Peyer’s patches and where are they located?

Answer 8

Peyer’s patches are lymphoid tissues located in the ileum that monitor intestinal bacteria.

Question 9

Microscopic Structures

What is the function of goblet cells in the colon?

Answer 9

Goblet cells secrete mucus to lubricate the colon contents.

Question 10

Microscopic Structures

What does a liver triad consist of?

Answer 10

A liver triad consists of a branch of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct.

Question 11

Mouth and Salivary Glands

What is the function of the tongue?

Answer 11

The tongue assists in mechanical digestion and taste.

Question 12

Mouth and Salivary Glands

What type of secretion does the parotid gland produce?

Answer 12

Serous secretion rich in amylase.

Question 13

Mouth and Salivary Glands

What is the primary function of the sublingual salivary gland?

Answer 13

It secretes mostly mucus to aid in lubrication.

Question 14

Mouth and Salivary Glands

What does the submandibular gland secrete?

Answer 14

A mix of mucus and serous fluid.

Question 15

Stomach Anatomy

What region is at the stomach entrance from the esophagus?

Answer 15

The cardia.

Question 16

Stomach Anatomy

Where is the fundus of the stomach located?

Answer 16

The dome-shaped upper portion of the stomach.

Question 17

Stomach Anatomy

What is the central region of the stomach called?

Answer 17

The body of the stomach.

Question 18

Stomach Anatomy

What is the lesser curvature of the stomach?

Answer 18

The shorter, medial curve of the stomach.

Question 19

Stomach Anatomy

What is the greater curvature of the stomach?

Answer 19

The longer, lateral curve of the stomach.

Question 20

Stomach Anatomy

What is the function of the pyloric sphincter?

Answer 20

It regulates the passage of chyme into the duodenum.

Question 21

Pancreas

What does the pancreas secrete into the duodenum?

Answer 21

Digestive enzymes and bicarbonate.

Question 22

Small Intestine

List the segments of the small intestine in order.

Answer 22

Duodenum → Jejunum → Ileum.

Question 23

Small Intestine

What is the ileocecal valve and its function?

Answer 23

A sphincter that controls the flow from the ileum to the cecum of the large intestine.

Question 24

Large Intestine

What is the cecum and its function?

Answer 24

The cecum is the first part of the large intestine; it receives chyme from the ileum.

Question 25

# Large Intestine What is the function of the appendix (vermiform appendix)?

Answer 25

The appendix is a small lymphatic organ that may play a role in gut immunity.

Question 26

# Large Intestine Where is the ascending colon located?

Answer 26

It runs upward on the right side of the abdomen.

Question 27

# Large Intestine What is the right colic flexure?

Answer 27

It is the bend between the ascending and transverse colon.

Question 28

# Large Intestine Where is the transverse colon located?

Answer 28

It runs horizontally across the abdomen.

Question 29

# Large Intestine What is the left colic flexure?

Answer 29

It is the bend between the transverse and descending colon.

Question 30

# Large Intestine Where is the descending colon located?

Answer 30

It runs downward on the left side of the abdomen.

Question 31

# Large Intestine What is the sigmoid colon?

Answer 31

An S-shaped section of the large intestine leading to the rectum.

Question 32

# Large Intestine What is the sigmoid flexure?

Answer 32

The curvature at the beginning of the sigmoid colon.

Question 33

# Large Intestine What is the function of the rectum?

Answer 33

It stores feces before elimination through the anus.

Question 34

# Liver and Biliary System What are the right and left lobes of the liver?

Answer 34

The major anatomical divisions of the liver.

Question 35

# Liver and Biliary System What is the falciform ligament?

Answer 35

A ligament that separates the right and left liver lobes and anchors the liver to the abdominal wall.

Question 36

# Liver and Biliary System Where is the quadrate lobe of the liver located?

Answer 36

Near the gallbladder on the inferior surface of the liver.

Question 37

# Liver and Biliary System Where is the caudate lobe of the liver located?

Answer 37

Near the inferior vena cava on the posterior surface of the liver.

Question 38

# Liver and Biliary System What is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 38

It stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.

Question 39

# Liver and Biliary System What is the cystic duct?

Answer 39

The duct that carries bile from the gallbladder to the common bile duct.

Question 40

# Liver and Biliary System What does the common hepatic duct do?

Answer 40

It transports bile from the liver to the common bile duct.

Question 41

# Liver and Biliary System What is the function of the common bile duct?

Answer 41

It carries bile to the duodenum for digestion.

Question 42

# Mesenteric Structures What is the greater omentum?

Answer 42

A large peritoneal fold that hangs from the stomach and covers the intestines, storing fat and providing immune support.

Question 43

# Mesenteric Structures What is the mesentery?

Answer 43

A membrane that suspends the intestines and contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.

Question 44

# Mesenteric Structures What is the round ligament of the liver?

Answer 44

A remnant of the fetal umbilical vein that anchors the liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

Question 45

# Review Concepts Which digestive organ has Brunner’s glands and what is their role?

Answer 45

The duodenum; Brunner’s glands secrete alkaline mucus to neutralize stomach acid.

Question 46

# Review Concepts Which part of the small intestine contains Peyer’s patches and why?

Answer 46

The ileum; Peyer’s patches monitor intestinal bacteria and contribute to immune defense.

Question 47

# Review Concepts What structures form the portal triad in the liver?

Answer 47

A branch of the hepatic artery, a branch of the portal vein, and a bile duct.

Question 48

# Review Concepts How does the pancreas contribute to digestion?

Answer 48

It secretes enzymes like amylase, lipase, and proteases, as well as bicarbonate to neutralize acid.

Question 49

# Review Concepts What is the functional importance of villi and microvilli in the jejunum?

Answer 49

They dramatically increase surface area for efficient absorption of nutrients.

Question 50

# Review Concepts Why is the mucosa of the esophagus stratified squamous epithelium?

Answer 50

To protect against mechanical abrasion from food.

Question 51

# Review Concepts How does the liver assist digestion besides bile production?

Answer 51

It metabolizes nutrients, detoxifies substances, and stores vitamins and minerals.

Question 52

# Review Concepts What is the role of the ileocecal valve in digestion?

Answer 52

It prevents backflow from the large intestine into the small intestine.

Question 53

# Review Concepts Which organs contribute to both endocrine and exocrine functions?

Answer 53

The pancreas (insulin/glucagon as endocrine; digestive enzymes as exocrine).

Question 54

# Review Concepts What is the function of mesenteries in the abdominal cavity?

Answer 54

They support and suspend organs, and provide a pathway for vessels and nerves.

Question 55

# Histology Identify the adventitia of the esophagus.

Answer 55

Question 56

# Histology Identify the epithelium of the esophagus.

Answer 56

Question 57

# Histology Identify the muscularis externa of the esophagus.

Answer 57

Question 58

# Histology Identify the submucosa of the esophagus.

Answer 58

Question 59

# Histology Identify the submucosa of the duodenum.

Answer 59

Question 60

# Histology Identify the submucosa gland of the duodenum. | also called Brunner's Glands

Answer 60

Question 61

# Histology Identify the villus of the duodenum. | Brunner's Glands

Answer 61

Question 62

# Histology Indentify Peyer's patches of the ileum.

Answer 62

Question 63

# Histology Indentify the mucosa of the ileum.

Answer 63

Question 64

# Histology Indentify the submucosa of the ileum.

Answer 64

Question 65

# Histology Indentify the villus of the ileum.

Answer 65

Question 66

# Histology Identify the submucosa of the colon.

Answer 66

Question 67

# Histology Identify the intestinal glands of the colon.

Answer 67

Question 68

# Histology Identify the mucosa of the colon.

Answer 68