Digestive system term | Description |
digestion | breakdown of food |
absorption | transfer of nutients into bloodstream |
sphincter | circular muscle that closes off a tube |
esophagus | connects mouth to stomach |
enamel | covers crown of tooth |
pulp | found inside tooth; where nerves and blood vessels are |
dentin | beneath enamel of tooth |
HCl, mucus,pepsin | contents of gastric juice |
oropharynx | portion of throat in back of mouth |
nasopharynx | portion of throat in back of nose |
accessory organ | assist digestive process |
mucous membrane | found lining digestive system |
submucosa | beneath mucous membrane |
serosa | covers outside of digestive system |
peritoneum | serous membrane that lines abdominopelvic cavity |
mesocolon | extends from the colon to the posterior abdominal wall |
mesentery | fan-shaped membrane that attaches small intestine together |
visceral peritoneum | part of the peritoneum that covers organs |
parietal peritoneum | part of the peritoneum that lines the abdominopelvic cavity |
ingestion | taking in of food |
deciduous | baby teeth |
20 | number of baby teeth |
32 | number of adult teeth |
caries | dental decay (cavity) |
mastication | chewing |
deglutition | swallowing |
contents of saliva | mucus, water, salt, amylase |
alimentary canal | another term for digestive tract |
papillae | raised areas on tongue |
uvula | prevents food from entering nose |
incisors | front teeth |
cuspids | canine teeth |
molars | 3 back teeth for grinding |
wisdom teeth | third set of molars; last teeth to emerge |
bolus | food ball you swallow |
chyme | food + gastric juice in stomach |
gingiva | gums |
pharynx | throat |
epiglottis | leaf-shaped cartilage which covers the opening of the trachea when you swallow |
root | part of tooth beneath gums |
greater curvature | lateral curvature of stomach |
lesser curvature | medial curvature of stomach |
phyloric sphincter | between stomach and duodenum |
cardiac sphincter | between esophagus and stomach |
rugae | folds lining stomach |
duodenum | first part of the small intestine |
jejunum | middle portion of the small intestine |
ileum | last portion of the small intestine |
villi | fingerlike projections that line small intestine; increase surface area |
microvilli | projecting folds of the villi |
teniae coli | bands that pucker colon |
lacteal | lymph capillaries that absorb fats |
cecum | first part of the colon; a blind pouch |
ileoocecal valve | sphincter between the ileum and the cecum |
rectum | temporary storrage area for indigestible food residue |
feces | solid waste material |
defecation | the process of eliminating feces |
vermiform appendix | worm-like lymphoid tissue attached to the cecum |
peptic ulcer | ulcer along stomach lining |
pyloric stenosis | obstruction of the pyloric sphincter |
gingivitis | inflammation of gums |
caries | tooth decay |
Vincent disease | gingivitis caused by bacteria common in teenagers |
leukoplakia | white patches on tongue; precancerous |
peritonitis | inflammation of peritoneum |
periodontitis | infection of gums and supporting bone |
irritable bowel syndrome | disorder involving pain and constipation or diarrhea; intestine is overly sensitive to stimulation; can be caused by stress |
appendicitis | infection of the appendix |
fecalith | hardened piece of feces that may cause appendicitis |
flatus | "gas" |
hiatal hernia | stomach protrudes through esophagial hiatus |
GERD | chronic acid reflux |
enteritis | intestinal inflammation |
gastroenteritis | inflammation of intestine and stomach |
nausea | unpleasant sensation; urge to vomit |
vomiting | reverse peristalsis |
peristalsis | smooth muscle contraction of the digestive system |
emesis | another word for vomiting |
gastritis | inflammation of the stomach |
diverticulitis | infection of diverticuli |
diarrhea | abnormally watery bowel movement |
constipation | hard stool or difficulty with defecation |
obstipation | extreme constipation |
colonoscope | used to examine colon |
hemorrhoids | varicose veins of the rectum |
spastic constipation | caused by overstimulation of the intestinal canal; canal narrows and space inside is not large enough to permit passage of fecal material |
flaccid constipation | caused by lazy or atonic intestinal muscles |
Helicobacter pylori | bacteria which causes some ulcers |