Digestive System Accessory Organs and Anatomy Quiz

Tonsils and Oropharynx

• Tonsils in the oropharynx act as a defense mechanism, filtering out pathogens and foreign particles that enter the body through the mouth and nose.

Digestive System Accessory Structures

• The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, which is then released into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion.

Soft Palate

• The soft palate plays a crucial role in separating the nasal and oral cavities during swallowing, preventing food and liquids from entering the nasal passages.

Pharyngeal Tonsils

• Pharyngeal tonsils, also known as adenoids, are located high in the nasopharynx, behind the nose and above the roof of the mouth.

Anatomy of the Palate

• The boundary formed by connecting the palatoglossal arches and uvula is called the tonsillar sinus.

Lingual Frenulum

• The lingual frenulum, a thin fold of mucous membrane, connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, limiting the tongue's backward movement.

Salivary Glands

• The parotid gland produces salivary amylase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

Muscles of the Mouth

• The digastric muscle, consisting of an anterior belly and a posterior belly, helps to elevate the hyoid bone and the floor of the mouth during swallowing.

Salivary Ducts

• The submandibular duct is responsible for transporting saliva from the submandibular gland to the mouth.

Nasal Passages

• The soft palate closes the nasal passages during swallowing, preventing food and liquids from entering the nasal cavities.