Human Digestive System: Mouth and Throat

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Questions and Answers

What prevents the bolus from entering the trachea?

Epiglottis (correct)

Sphincter muscle

Esophageal sphincter

Pharynx

What part of the mouth provides mechanical digestion?

Teeth (correct)

Pharynx

Palate

Tongue

What is the function of the esophagus?

To break down food into smaller pieces

To absorb nutrients from food

To transport food from the pharynx to the stomach (correct)

To mix food with gastric juice

What is the common passageway for digestion and respiration?

Pharynx Signup and view all the answers

What is the muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach?

Esophageal sphincter Signup and view all the answers

What do you call the food being lubricated and chewed, which forms a ball-shaped mass?

Bolus Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the stomach in the digestive process?

To store, mix, and convey food into the small intestine Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of gastric juice that protects the stomach lining from acid?

Alkaline mucus Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the inner folds found in the stomach?

Stomach rugae Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the stomach's churning action on food?

Conversion of food into chyme Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the sphincter muscles on both sides of the stomach?

To prevent backflow of acidic chyme into the esophagus Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the finger-like organ located in the small intestine?

Villus Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the digestive system?

To break down food into nutrient molecules Signup and view all the answers

Which phase of digestion involves the breakdown of food into small pieces through chewing or mastication?

Mechanical Phase Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the tongue in the mouth or oral cavity?

To mix food with saliva and aid in swallowing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the esophagus in the digestive system?

To transport food from the mouth to the stomach Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the salivary glands in the digestive system?

To secrete saliva that lubricates food Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the stomach in the digestive system?

To mix food with gastric juices and break down proteins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Mouth

The palate forms the roof of the mouth, divided into the hard palate (anterior portion) and soft palate (posterior portion).
The mouth provides mechanical digestion through the action of teeth breaking down food into small pieces.

The Pharynx or Throat

The pharynx is a common passageway for both digestion and respiration, located at the back of the mouth, and is about 5-6 inches long.
The pharynx has a sphincter muscle that covers the esophagus, allowing air to enter the trachea freely.
The epiglottis prevents the bolus (food) from entering the trachea.

The Trachea

The trachea is a long tube that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi, which send air to the lungs.
The trachea is a key part of the respiratory system.

The Esophagus

The esophagus is a muscular tube that transports food from the pharynx to the stomach through a wave-like contraction called peristalsis.
The esophageal sphincter is a muscle that separates the esophagus and stomach.

The Stomach

The stomach is a muscular, elastic, and pear-shaped organ that stores swallowed food, mixes it with digestive juice, and conveys its contents slowly into the small intestine.
The stomach has three functions: storing food, mixing it with digestive juice, and conveying its contents to the small intestine.
The stomach has inner folds called rugae, which contain gastric glands that produce gastric juice.
Gastric juice is composed of secretions from different cells, including mucous cells, parietal cells, chief cells, and G-cells.
The stomach mixes food with gastric juice through contractions, turning it into chyme, a semifluid, partly digested food.

The Small Intestine

The small intestine is where most of the nutrient absorption takes place.
The finger-like organ located in the small intestine is called a villus.

Digestive System

The digestive system has two main parts: the alimentary tract and accessory organs.
The alimentary tract consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, and anus.
The accessory organs are the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
The digestive system has two phases: mechanical digestion (breaking down food into small pieces) and chemical digestion (breaking down food into nutrient molecules using enzymes).
The functions of the digestive system are to ingest food, break it down into nutrient molecules, absorb molecules into the bloodstream, and rid the body of indigestible remains.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the human digestive system, focusing on the mouth and throat. Learn about the different parts of the mouth, including the palate and pharynx, and their roles in mechanical and chemical digestion.