| A | B |
|---|
| Digestive System | Gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs; responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste |
| Gastrointestinal Tract | Continuous muscular tube from the mouth to the anus through which food passes |
| Accessory Organs | Organs that aid digestion without food passing through them |
| Digestion | Multi-step process of breaking down food into small absorbable molecules (nutrients) |
| Ingestion | Process of taking food into the mouth |
| Mastication | Chewing |
| Mechanical Digestion | Physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces |
| Chemical Digestion | Breakdown of food (carbohydrates, proteins, etc) using enzymes and digestive secretions |
| Absorption | Transfer of nutrients into the bloodstream or lymph |
| Elimination | Removal of indigestible waste products as feces |
| Peristalsis | Wave-like muscular contractions that move food through the GI tract |
| Deglutition | Muscular movement of swallowing |
| Bolus | Mass of chewed food ready to be swallowed |
| Oral Cavity | Entry point where digestion begins |
| Cheeks | Structures that form the sides of the oral cavity and guide food between teeth |
| Lips | Anterior structures that keep food in the mouth and assist speech |
| Teeth | Structures that mechanically break down food by tearing, cutting and grinding |
| Crown | Visible portion of a tooth above the gum |
| Root | Part of tooth anchored in jawbone |
| Enamel | Hard outer covering of the tooth |
| Dentin | Inner layer of tooth beneath enamel |
| Pulp | Inner tissue of tooth containing nerves and blood vessels |
| Tongue | Muscular organ that manipulates food and aids swallowing; contains taste buds |
| Taste Buds | Chemoreceptors in tongue that detect taste |
| Gums (Gingiva) | Tissue that anchors teeth and protects roots |
| Palate | Roof of the mouth separating oral and nasal cavities |
| Hard Palate | Bony anterior portion of palate that aids chewing |
| Soft Palate | Muscular posterior portion of the palate that rises to block nasal cavity during swallowing |
| Uvula | Projection of soft palate that helps prevent food entering nasal cavity |
| Salivary Glands | Glands that produce saliva |
| Saliva | Fluid that begins chemical digestion and aids swallowing |
| Pharynx | Shared passageway for food and air |
| Esophagus | Muscular tube that moves food from the pharynx to the stomach |
| Lower Esophageal Sphincter | Valve controlling entry to stomach and preventing acid reflux |
| Stomach | Muscular organ that stores and churns food with gastric juices |
| Gastric Juices | Stomach secretions that chemically digest food |
| Rugae | Inner folds of the stomach lining that allow expansion |
| Pyloric Sphincter | Valve regulating passage of chyme from stomach to small intestine |
| Small Intestine | Organ where most digestion and nutrient absorption occur |
| Duodenum | First segment of the small intestine that receives chyme and digestive secretions |
| Jejunum | Middle segment of the small intestine where most nutrient absorption occurs |
| Ileum | Final and longest portion of the small intestine; absorbs remaining nutrients |
| Ileocecal Valve | Valve connecting small and large intestine |
| Large Intestine | Organ responsible for water absorption and feces formation |
| Cecum | First part of the large intestine; connects to appendix and ileum |
| Appendix | Small tube attached to cecum that has immune function |
| Colon | Portion of the large intestine; divided into ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid |
| Rectum | Stores feces before elimination |
| Anus | Muscular opening controlling waste elimination |
| Internal Sphincter | Involuntary muscle controlling anus |
| External Sphincter | Voluntary muscle controlling anus |
| Liver | Organ that produces bile, processes nutrients, detoxifies blood, and regulates metabolism |
| Bile | Fluid that emulsifies fats for enzyme action |
| Gallbladder | Organ that stores, concentrates, and releases bile |
| Pancreas | Gland that is both endocrine and exocrine; produces digestive enzymes and regulates blood sugar |
| Chyme | Partially digested food leaving the stomach |
| Emulsification | Breakdown of fats into smaller droplets by bile |
| Gut Microbiome | Population of microorganisms in the intestines supporting health |
| Lipase | Enzyme that helps digest fats |
| Amylase | Enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates |
| Gastroenterologist | physician who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the digestive system |
