| A | B |
| digestion | the process of changing complex solid foods into simpler soluble forms which are absorbed by the body cells |
| enzymes | chemical substances that promote checmial reactions in living things |
| peritonitis | infection or inflammation of the peritoneum |
| buccal cavity | the mouth - where food enters the digestive system |
| cardiac sphincter | located at the end of the esophagus; relaxes to allow food to enter the stomach |
| pyloric sphincter | located at the end of the stomach; relaxes to allow food to enter the duodenum |
| rugae | folds in the gastric mucosa; allow for expansion of the stomach |
| pylorospasm | vomiting resulting from the sphincter at the end of the stomach not relaxing |
| absorption | nurtients taken into bloodstream via villi in the small intestine |
| jaundice | yellowing of the eyes and skin resulting from a blocked common bile duct |
| peristalasis | wave-like muscular contraction that pushes food through the digestive tract |
| gastroesophageal reflux disease | cardiac sphincter is weak or relaxes inappropriately allowing stomach contents to flow up into the esophagus |
| heartburn | also known as indigestion; backflow highly acidic gastric juice into the lower esophagus |
| hiatal hernia | stomach protrudes through opening above diaphragm through esophageal opening |
| pyloric stenosis | narrowing of the pyloric sphincter |
| gastroenteritis | inflammation of the mucus membrane lining of the stomach and intestines |
| ulcer | a sore or lesion on the the mucosal lining of the stomach or duodenum |
| inflammatiory bowel disease | disorders that include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis |
| appendicitis | inflammation of the appendix |
| hepatitis | inflammation of the liver |
| cirrhosis | chronic, progressive, inflammatory liver disease; normal tissue is replaced by fibrous connective tissue |
| cholecystitis | inflammation of the gallbladder |
| gallstones | also know as cholelithiasis, crystalized cholesterol in the gallbladder |
| pancreatitis | inflammation of the pancreas |
| diverticulosis | little sacs develop in the wall of the colon |
| hemorrhoids | veins around the anus and lower rectum become inflammed and swollen |
| colostomy | a surgical opening made through the abdomen into the colon; a pouch is put in place to collect body wastes |