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Digestive System Structures and Functions

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Terms in this set (28)

  • Hard palate
    Forms the roof of the mouth and separates the oral and nasal cavities, aiding in chewing and swallowing.
  • Soft palate
    Separates the oropharynx from the nasopharynx and helps close the nasal passages during swallowing.
  • Tongue
    Manipulates food for chewing and swallowing; contains taste buds and aids in speech.
  • Epiglottis
    Prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing by covering the glottis.
  • Esophagus
    Transports food from the pharynx to the stomach via peristalsis.
  • Stomach
    Secretes gastric juice containing enzymes like pepsin to digest proteins and churns food into chyme.
  • Pyloric sphincter
    Controls the passage of chyme from the stomach into the duodenum.
  • Mesentery
    Supports and suspends the intestines; contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.
  • Peritoneum
    Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering abdominal organs.
  • Small intestine
    Primary site of nutrient absorption; includes duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
  • Duodenum
    First part of the small intestine; receives chyme, bile, and pancreatic enzymes for digestion.
  • Jejunum
    Middle section of the small intestine; major site of nutrient absorption.
  • Ileum
    Final section of the small intestine; absorbs vitamin B12 and bile salts.
  • Pancreas
    Produces digestive enzymes like amylase, lipase, and proteases; secretes bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.
  • Liver
    Produces bile to emulsify fats and processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.
  • Gallbladder
    Stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the bile duct during digestion.
  • Bile duct
    Transports bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.
  • Large intestine
    Absorbs water and electrolytes; forms and stores feces.
  • Cecum
    First part of the large intestine; receives chyme from the ileum.
  • Rectum
    Stores feces before defecation.
  • Uvula
    Prevents food from entering the nasal cavity during swallowing.
  • Oropharynx
    Passageway for food from the mouth to the esophagus.
  • Laryngopharynx
    Passageway directing food to the esophagus and air to the larynx.
  • Parotid gland
    Salivary gland producing amylase-rich saliva; drains via the parotid duct.
  • Sublingual gland
    Salivary gland producing mucus-rich saliva under the tongue.
  • Submandibular gland
    Salivary gland producing a mix of serous and mucous saliva.
  • Rugae
    Folds in the stomach lining that allow expansion and increase surface area.
  • Greater omentum
    Fatty apron-like fold of peritoneum that covers abdominal organs and stores fat.