unit 8 Digestive Anatomy Flashcards
(72 cards)
What are the two major functions of the digestive system?
Digestion and absorption
Define digestion.
Breaking down ingested food into smaller pieces
Define absorption.
Taking small pieces into the body to convert them into cellular energy or use them as building blocks
What are the two types of digestion?
- Mechanical digestion
- Chemical digestion
Where does mechanical digestion primarily occur?
In the oral cavity and stomach
What is chemical digestion?
The breakdown of food using chemical reactions, including enzymes
What happens to macromolecules after digestion?
They are absorbed into the body as monomers simple sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and monoglycerides
What is the role of absorptive cells?
To facilitate the entry of nutrients into the bloodstream
Where do fatty acids and monoglycerides enter before the bloodstream?
The lymphatic system
What is the oral cavity’s role in digestion?
The first place where food is mechanically and chemically digested
What are the types of teeth involved in mechanical digestion?
- Incisors 4
- Canines 4
- Premolars 4
- Molars 2 sometimes 3
What are deciduous teeth?
The first set of baby teeth that erupt around six months of age
What is the total number of adult permanent teeth?
Thirty-two
What is the function of saliva in digestion?
Moistens and chemically breaks down food
What enzyme in saliva begins carbohydrate digestion?
Amylase
What structure separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity?
Hard palate
What is the role of the uvula during swallowing?
Blocks passage of food into the nasopharynx
What is the pharynx?
The throat of the digestive tract
What are the three regions of the pharynx?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Laryngopharynx
What type of epithelium is found in the oropharynx and laryngopharynx?
Stratified squamous epithelium
What is peristalsis?
Alternating contractions of muscle layers in the esophagus to propel food forward
What are the two sphincters associated with the esophagus?
- Upper esophageal sphincter
- Lower esophageal sphincter (gastroesophageal sphincter)
What are the four regions of the stomach?
- Cardiac region
- Fundus
- Body
- Pylorus
What is the function of the cardiac region of the stomach?
Where food enters the stomach