Digestive System Terminology

Chemical Digestion

• The process of breaking down food into simpler nutrients using enzymes.

• The mechanical breakdown of food by chewing and grinding.

• The absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

• The synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones.

Pyloric Sphincter

• A valve that controls the passage of food from the stomach to the duodenum.

• A muscle that separates the stomach from the esophagus.

• A gland that produces digestive enzymes.

• A structure that absorbs nutrients in the small intestine.

Organs of Digestive System

• Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

• Heart, lungs, kidneys, and bladder.

• Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs.

• Liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

GERD

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.

• Gastric emptying disorder, a condition affecting the stomach's ability to process food.

• Gastrointestinal infection caused by bacteria leading to severe abdominal pain.

• Gallbladder disease characterized by the formation of gallstones.

Absorption

• The process by which nutrients from food are taken into the body's cells.

• The process of breaking down food into smaller components.

• The process of eliminating waste from the body.

• The process of converting food into energy.

Jejunum

• The part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.

• The first part of the large intestine.

• A section of the stomach.

• The part of the small intestine after the ileum.

Cardiac Sphincter

• A valve that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach.

• A muscle that pumps blood from the heart to the lungs.

• A gland that produces digestive enzymes in the stomach.

• A structure that prevents acid reflux from the stomach.

Sigmoid Colon

• The S-shaped last part of the large intestine, leading into the rectum.

• A straight section of the large intestine before the rectum.

• The first part of the small intestine.

• A section of the large intestine that absorbs water and salts.

Ileum

• The first portion of the small intestine, between the duodenum and the jejunum.

• The second portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the cecum.

• The third portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the cecum.

• The final portion of the large intestine, leading to the rectum.

Ascending Colon

• The first main part of the large intestine, which passes upward from the cecum.

• A section of the small intestine responsible for nutrient absorption.

• The part of the large intestine that connects to the rectum.

• The area of the digestive system where bile is produced.