Digestive System Overview and Anatomy

The elimination of feces from the body.

Double sheets of peritoneal membrane providing support and routes for vessels.

Physical processes that break down food into smaller pieces.

Areolar tissue lies between mesothelial layers, enabling blood and nerve access.

Mesentery stabilizes attached organs and prevents intestinal entanglement.

The breakdown of food through enzymes and chemical processes.

The mesentery of the colon that supports the large intestine.

The process of chewing food to break it down mechanically.

The organ where enzymatic digestion and nutrient absorption occur.

Pouch extending from the stomach, covering intestines; has adipose tissue.

Stores and concentrates bile from the liver for digestion.

Suspends stomach and duodenum from liver, allowing vessel access.

Connects liver to anterior body wall; remnant of umbilical vein.

Produces digestive enzymes and hormones for digestion.

Networks influencing digestive muscle control; includes parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation.

Involved in water absorption and compaction of waste.

The upper part of the pharynx, involved in respiration only.

The middle part of the pharynx, serving both respiratory and digestive functions.

The lower part of the pharynx that connects to the larynx and esophagus.

A muscular tube that actively transports food and liquids to the stomach.

Hollow, muscular tube that descends posterior to the trachea, entering the abdomen through the esophageal hiatus.

Lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium for protection, with folds for expansion during swallowing.

A band of smooth muscle that prevents air from entering the esophagus.

Also known as the cardiac sphincter, prevents backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

The voluntary phase of swallowing, starting with bolus compression against the hard palate and tongue pushing it into the oropharynx.

Phase that begins with stimulation of receptors in the uvula, coordinating muscle contractions to move the bolus into the esophagus.

Phase where the bolus is transported through the esophagus to the stomach via peristalsis, triggered by the approach of the bolus.

Smooth muscle contractions that propel the bolus along the digestive tract through coordinated wave-like motions.

A moist, compact mass of material created during chewing, ready to be swallowed.

The most common cause of tooth loss, linked to dental plaque forming between gums and teeth, leading to inflammation and decay.

Inflammation of the gums often caused by periodontal disease, leading to potential decay and other dental issues.

Glands located inferior to the zygomatic arch that secrete saliva and produce a serous secretion high in salivary amylase.

Glands located beneath the tongue that produce mucous secretion for lubrication.

Glands located medial and inferior to the mandible that secrete buffers, mucins, and amylase.

Saliva is 99.5% water and 0.5% solutes including ions, urea, mucous, and enzymes.

Saliva flushes oral surfaces, buffers pH, contains antibodies, and helps form a bolus.

Salivation is regulated by the autonomic nervous system with parasympathetic stimulation increasing saliva production.

Small glands that secrete lingual lipase, aiding in fat digestion.

Teeth consist of dentin, surrounded by enamel, both essential for digestion.

The liver has almost 200 known functions including detoxification and metabolism.

The digestive tract has four major layers from esophagus to anal canal.

The inner lining of the digestive tract consisting of three components: epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae.

Inner epithelium type varies: nonkeratinized stratified squamous in the mouth and simple columnar in stomach/intestines.

Areolar connective tissue with blood and lymphatic vessels; part of the mucosa layer.

A thin smooth muscle layer that causes folds to increase surface area in the stomach and small intestine.

Layer of dense irregular connective tissue containing blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and exocrine glands.

Smooth muscle in two layers (inner circular, outer longitudinal) involved in peristalsis and mechanical processing.