A | B |
digestion | the mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods for use by the body's cells |
absorption | the passage of digested food from the digestive tract into the cardiovascular system |
elimination | the expulsion of undigested food or body wastes |
mastication | the process of chewing |
peristalsis | a series of involuntary muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract |
gastric juices | secretions from the stomach lining that contain hydrochloric acid and pepsin, an enzyme that digests protein |
chyme | a creamy, fluid mixture of food and gastric juices |
bile | a yellow-green, bitter fluid important in the breakdown and absorption of fats |
indigestion | a feeling of discomfort in the upper abdomen |
heartburn | a burning sensation in the center of the chest that may rise from the bottom, or tip, of the breatbone up to the throat |
hiatal hernia | a condition in which part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm |
appendicitis | the inflammation of the appendix |
peptic ulcer | a sore in teh lining of the digestive tract |
urine | a liquid waste material excreted from the body through the process of urination |
nephrons | the functional units of the kidneys |
ureters | tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder |
bladder | a hollow muscular organ that acts as a reservoir for urine |
urethra | the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body |
cystitis | an inflammation of the bladder |
urethritis | the inflammation of the urethra |
hemodialysis | a technique in which an artificial kidney machine removes waste products fro the blood |