Term | Definition |
absorption | passage of materials through the walls of the intestine into the bloodstream |
amino acids | building blocks of proteins & produced when proteins are digested |
amylase | enzyme secreted by the pancreas to digest starch |
anus | opening of the digestive tract to the outside of the body |
appendix | blind pouch hanging from the cecum (in the RLQ). Literally means "hanging" (pend/o) "on" (ap-) |
bile | digestive juice made in the liver, stored in the gallbladder. It breaks up (emulsifies) large fat globules. |
bilirubin | pigment released by the liver in bile |
bowel | intestine |
canine teeth | pointed, dog-like teeth next to (distal to) the incisors |
cecum | first part of the large intestine |
colon | large intestine (cecum, ascending, transverse, & descending colon, and rectum) |
common bile duct | carries bile from the liver & gallbladder to the duodenum |
defecation | expulsion or passage of feces from the body through the anus |
deglutition | swallowing |
dentin | major tissue composing teeth, covered by the enamel in the crown, and a protective layer of cementum in the root |
digestion | breakdown of complex foods to simpler forms |
duodenum | first part of the small intestine; duo=2, den=10; (the duodenum measures 12 inches long) |
elimination | removal of waste material from the body |
emulsification | physical process of breaking up large fat globules |
enamel | hard, outermost layer of a tooth |
enzyme | a chemical that speeds up a reaction between substances |
esophagus | tube connecting the throat to the stomach |
fatty acids | substances produced when fats are digested |
feces | solid wasts;stools |
gallbladder | small sac under the liver; stores bile |
glucose | simple sugar |
glycogen | starch; glucose is stored in the form of glycogen in liver cells |
hydrochloric acid | substance produced by the stomach; necessary for digestion of food |
ileum | 3rd part of the small intestine |
incisor | one of four front teeth in the dental arch |
insulin | hormone produced by the endocrine cells of the pancreas; it transports sugar from the blood into cells and stimulates glycogen formation by the liver |
jejunum | 2nd part of the small intestine |
lipase | pancreatic enzyme necessary to digest fats |
liver | a large organ located in the RUQ of the abdomen. The liver secretes bile; stores sugar,iron, and vitamins;produces blood proteins; and destroys worn out blood cells |
lower esophagel sphincter (LES) | ring of muscles between the esophagus & the stomach. Also called cardiac sphincter |
mastication | chewing |
molar teeth | 6th, 7th, 8th teeth from the middle on either side of the dental arch |
palate | roof of the mouth. The hard palate lies anterior to the soft palate |
pancreas | organ under the stomach; produces insulin (for transport of sugar into cells) & enzymes (for digestion of foods) |
papillae | small elevations on the tongue. a papilla is a nipple-like elevation |
parotid gland | salivary gland within the cheek, just anterior to the ear |
peristalsis | rhythm-like contractions of the tubes of the gastrointestinal tract & other tubular structures. Peristalsis moves the contents through the GI tract @ different rates |
pharynx | throat,the common passageway for food from the mouth & air from the nose |
portal vein | large vein bringing blood to the liver from the intestines |
protease | enzymes that digest protein |
pulp | soft tissue within a tooth, containing nerves & blood vessels |
pyloric sphincter | ring of muscle fibers at the distal region of the stomach, where it joins the duodenum. |
rectum | last section of the colon |
rugae | ridges on the hard palate & the wall of the stomach |
saliva | digestive juice produced by salivary blands |
salivary glands | parotid, sublingual, & submandibular glands |
sigmoid colon | lower part of the colon; shaped like an S |
sphincter | ring of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening |
stomach | muscular organ that receives food from the esophagus. The stomach's parts of the fundus (proximal section), body (middle section), & antrum (distal section) |
triglycerides | large fat molecules composed of 3 parts fatty acid & one part glycerol |
uvula | soft tissue hanging from the soft palate into the mouth |
villi | microscopic projections in the walls of the small intestine that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream |
anastomosis | surgical connection between 2 parts such as vessels, ducts, or bowel segments |
mesentery | part of the double fold or peritoneum that stretches around the organs in the abdomen, the mesentery holds the organs in place |
parenteral | an intravenous line that brings nutrition directly into the bloodstream bypassing the intestinal tract |