Gastrointestinal Tract (GI)

The GI tract is the long, continuous tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. Its job is to digest food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste.

The mouth; where food enters, is chewed, and mixed with saliva.

The throat; passageway for food and air.

A small flap of cartilage that closes over the airway when you swallow to prevent choking.

A muscular tube that pushes food from the throat to the stomach.

A muscular sac that mixes food with acid and enzymes to begin protein digestion.

A long, coiled tube where most digestion and nutrient absorption occur.

First part of the small intestine; receives food from stomach and digestive juices from liver/pancreas.

Middle section; main site of nutrient absorption.

Final section; absorbs remaining nutrients and bile salts.

A pouch-like area at the start of the large intestine; connects the ileum to the colon.

Travels upward on the right side of the abdomen.

Travels downward on the left side.

S-shaped section leading to the rectum.

Stores stool until it is ready to be expelled.

Opening where stool leaves the body; controlled by muscles.

Organs that help with digestion but food does not pass through them.

Produce saliva to begin digestion and help swallowing.

Helps move food, taste it, and start swallowing.

Small tissue at the back of the throat; helps with speech and keeping food from entering the nasal cavity.

Produces bile to help digest fats and processes nutrients.

Produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.

A small tube attached to the cecum; function is not essential but may play a role in immunity.

Circular muscles that open and close to control the movement of food.

Upper Esophageal Sphincter

Controls food entering the esophagus from the throat.

Lower Esophageal (Cardiac) Sphincter

Prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.

Controls the release of stomach contents into the duodenum.

Help

Options

focusNode

Didn't know it?
click below

Knew it?
click below

Don't Know

Remaining cards (0)

Know

retry

shuffle

restart

0:00

Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.

Normal Size Small Size show me how

Digestion

Term	Definition
Gastrointestinal Tract (GI)	The GI tract is the long, continuous tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. Its job is to digest food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste.
Oral Cavity	The mouth; where food enters, is chewed, and mixed with saliva.
Pharynx	The throat; passageway for food and air.
Epiglottis	A small flap of cartilage that closes over the airway when you swallow to prevent choking.
Esophagus	A muscular tube that pushes food from the throat to the stomach.
Stomach	A muscular sac that mixes food with acid and enzymes to begin protein digestion.
Small Intestine	A long, coiled tube where most digestion and nutrient absorption occur.
Duodenum	First part of the small intestine; receives food from stomach and digestive juices from liver/pancreas.
Jejunum	Middle section; main site of nutrient absorption.
Ileum	Final section; absorbs remaining nutrients and bile salts.
Cecum	A pouch-like area at the start of the large intestine; connects the ileum to the colon.
Large Intestine (Colon)	Absorbs water and forms stool.
Ascending Colon	Travels upward on the right side of the abdomen.
Transverse Colon	Goes across the abdomen.
Descending Colon	Travels downward on the left side.
Sigmoid Colon	S-shaped section leading to the rectum.
Rectum	Stores stool until it is ready to be expelled.
Anus	Opening where stool leaves the body; controlled by muscles.
Accessory Organs	Organs that help with digestion but food does not pass through them.
Salivary Glands	Produce saliva to begin digestion and help swallowing.
Teeth	Break down food mechanically.
Tongue	Helps move food, taste it, and start swallowing.
Uvula	Small tissue at the back of the throat; helps with speech and keeping food from entering the nasal cavity.
Liver	Produces bile to help digest fats and processes nutrients.
Pancreas	Produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin.
Appendix	A small tube attached to the cecum; function is not essential but may play a role in immunity.
Sphincters	Circular muscles that open and close to control the movement of food.
Upper Esophageal Sphincter	Controls food entering the esophagus from the throat.
Lower Esophageal (Cardiac) Sphincter	Prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
Pyloric Sphincter	Controls the release of stomach contents into the duodenum.

Created by: user-1898977

"Know" box contains:
Time elapsed:
Retries: