Term | Definition |
Peritoneum | The thin, shiny, serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and also folds back to cover most of the organs contained within the cavity |
Mesentery | The double-layered portion of the peritoneum that is somewhat fan-shaped, with the handle portion attached to the abdominal wall and the fan attached to the small intestine. |
Cecum | The first segment of the large intestine; a small pouch-like sac or cul de sac to which the vermiform appendix (aka appendix) is attached |
Ascending Colon | Second section of the large intestine |
Transverse Colon | Third section of the large intestine |
Descending Colon | Fourth section of the large intestine |
Sigmoid Colon | Last section of the large intestine. This section empties into the Rectum. |
Rectum | Rectum means straight; undigestible food empties into here, waiting for expulsion. |
Anus | Opening to the outside for defecation. |
Amylase | Enzyme manufactured by the salivary glands that initiates the digestion of carbohydrates. Amylase is ALSO produced by the Pancreas |
Duodenum | First segment of the small intestine. Receives food from the stomach after it passes through the pyloric sphincter. Most enzymes from accessory organs are added here and absorption begins. |
Jejunum | Second segment of the small intestine. Receives food from the duodenum. Absorption is the digestive process that occurs here. |
Ileum | 3rd segment of the small intestine; Most remaining nutrients absorbed here. Empties into the large intestine. |
Pyloric Sphincter | Sphincter at the distal end of the stomach; allows partially digested food (chyme) to exit the stomach and enter the duodenum |
Gallbladder | Muscular organ on the inferior surface of the liver that stores bile and releases it into the duodenum after meals to aid in the digestion of fats. |
Cholelithiasis | The term that describes the condition of having stones in the gallbladder. |
Esophageal Sphincter | Sphincter at the upper end of the stomach; allows food to end the stomach from the esophagus. Failure of this sphincter can lead to a hiatal hernia |
Lipase | Pancreatic enzyme that digests fats |
Trypsin | Pancreatic enzyme that digests proteins |
Pepsin | Protein digesting enzyme produced by the stomach in an inactive form called pepsinogen. Becomes active when it comes in contact with hydrocholoric acid |
Hydrochloric Acid | Strong acid that denatures proteins to prepare them for digestion and also destroys foreign organisms. |
Pancreas | Long gland extending from the duodenum to the spleen. Has both exocrine and endocrine functions. Exocrine functions aid in digestion |
Common Bile Duct | The duct formed by the union of the common hepatic duct and the common cystic duct from the gallbladder |
Sublingual glands | Salivary glands located underneath the tongue |
Leptin | From the Greek word leptos,meaning thin, Leptin is a hormone produced by adipocytes. Leptin helps to regulate food intake and control fat storage. Your adipocytes tell you "Hey, lept-o-yo-self back from the table! You have plenty of fuel to burn here." |
Grehlin | Hormone released by an empty stomach between meals or an empty stomach that stimulates hunger. Grrrr-ehlin. "I'm hungry. Feed me." |