Human Digestive System Overview

Questions and Answers

What do salivary glands produce?

Saliva (correct)

Pancreatic juice

Bile

Chyme

What is the function of the esophagus?

Tube carrying food from the mouth to the stomach

What is the primary role of the stomach?

Storage tank for food; where chyme is made

What does the liver produce?

Bile Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the gall bladder?

Structure that stores bile Signup and view all the answers

What does the pancreas produce?

An alkaline fluid and digestive enzymes Signup and view all the answers

Where are the majority of nutrients absorbed?

Small intestine Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the large intestine?

Absorbs excess water and contains friendly bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What does the rectum do?

Holds feces until release Signup and view all the answers

What is the mouth's role in digestion?

Mechanical breakdown and chemical digestion of starches/lipids Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the anus?

The opening through which solid waste leaves the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the epiglottis?

Keeps food out of your trachea Signup and view all the answers

What is bile?

Substance produced by the liver that helps digest fats Signup and view all the answers

What are villi?

Projections lining the small intestine that absorb nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What is chyme?

Semi-liquid substance made up of food and gastric juices Signup and view all the answers

What does the thyroid gland do?

Helps regulate your metabolism Signup and view all the answers

What is peristalsis?

Wavelike muscular action that pushes food through the digestive system Signup and view all the answers

What does mastication refer to?

Chewing Signup and view all the answers

The colon is also known as the small intestine.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the duodenum?

The first 10 inches of the small intestine Signup and view all the answers

What was the possible function of the appendix?

Unsanitary water filter and may store friendly bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What is foodborne illness?

Another name for food poisoning caused by pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What are gallstones?

Form when cholesterol crystallizes in bile, causing pain Signup and view all the answers

What can popcorn water cure?

Diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

What bacteria causes ulcers?

H.pylori bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What does fiber do for your digestive system?

Important for the health of your digestive system Signup and view all the answers

What nutrient is mainly broken down by bile?

Fat Signup and view all the answers

What does pancreatic juice contain?

Alkaline fluid that also contains digestive enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?

Pain in the lower right side, often accompanied by nausea and fever Signup and view all the answers

What is hepatitis A?

Foodborne illness affecting the liver, caused by contact with feces Signup and view all the answers

What is constipation?

A condition in which food moves too slowly through the intestinal tract Signup and view all the answers

What is Crohn's disease?

Inflammation of the lower part of the small intestine; may be autoimmune or hereditary Signup and view all the answers

What is Celiac disease?

Autoimmune disorder caused by gluten intolerance; the immune system attacks the villi Signup and view all the answers

What is botulism?

Food poisoning that develops in canned foods, causing the can to bulge; toxins can be fatal Signup and view all the answers

What causes heartburn?

Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of glasses of water you should drink daily?

6-8 Signup and view all the answers

What is the GI tract?

Long continuous tube that starts with the mouth and ends with the anus Signup and view all the answers

What are the parts of the GI tract?

Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Salivary Glands

Produce saliva to initiate digestion in the mouth.

Esophagus

Muscular tube transporting food from the mouth to the stomach.

Stomach

Acts as a storage tank for food and converts it into chyme.

Liver

Produces bile for fat digestion and filters out toxins from the blood.

Gall Bladder

Stores bile produced by the liver until needed for digestion.

Pancreas

Secretes an alkaline fluid and digestive enzymes for nutrient breakdown.

Small Intestine

Primary location for nutrient absorption via villi.

Large Intestine

Absorbs excess water and houses beneficial bacteria; often referred to as the colon.

Rectum

Functions as a holding area for feces until excretion.

Mouth

Contains teeth and tongue; initiates mechanical and chemical digestion.

Anus

The exit point for solid waste from the body.

Epiglottis

Tissue flap preventing food from entering the trachea during swallowing.

Bile

A digestive fluid produced by the liver, essential for fat digestion.

Villi

Microscopic projections in the small intestine that enhance nutrient absorption.

Chyme

Semi-liquid mixture of food and gastric juices produced in the stomach.

Thyroid Gland

Regulates metabolism and influences bodily functions.

Peristalsis

Wavelike muscular contractions that propel food through the digestive tract.

Mastication

The process of chewing, which breaks down food into smaller pieces.

Colon

Common cancer site in the U.S., also known as the large intestine.

Duodenum

The first segment of the small intestine, approximately 10 inches long.

Appendix

A vestigial structure that may store friendly bacteria and had a role in water filtration.

Foodborne Illness

Also known as food poisoning, caused by pathogens in contaminated food.

Gallstones

Hard deposits formed in the gall bladder from crystallized cholesterol, causing abdominal pain.

Popcorn Water

A folk remedy sometimes used to treat diarrhea.

H. Pylori Bacteria

Pathogen responsible for causing ulcers in the stomach lining.

Fiber

Essential for digestive health and classified as the "F" in F.W.E. (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).

Fat

The primary nutrient that bile helps to break down during digestion.

Pancreatic Juice

Alkaline fluid containing digestive enzymes from the pancreas.

Appendicitis

Characterized by pain in the lower right abdomen, accompanied by nausea and fever.

Hepatitis A

A liver-affecting foodborne illness caused by fecal contamination.

Constipation

A digestive issue where food moves too slowly through the intestines; can be alleviated with F.W.E.

Crohn's Disease

Causes inflammation of the lower part of the small intestine, possibly due to autoimmune responses or genetics.

Celiac Disease

An autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, damaging the villi in the small intestine.

Botulism

A severe form of food poisoning from canned foods, indicated by bulging cans; can be fatal due to toxin production.

Heartburn

Occurs when stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus, causing discomfort.

Daily Water Intake

It is recommended to drink a minimum of 6-8 glasses of water each day for optimal health.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract

A continuous tube running from the mouth to the anus, essential for digestion.

Components of the GI Tract

Consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.

Small Intestine Structure

Includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, serving as the main site for digestion and absorption.

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Description

This quiz covers the essential components of the human digestive system, including various organs and their functions. From the mouth to the anus, learn about the role each part plays in digestion and nutrient absorption. Test your knowledge of how these organs contribute to the overall process of digestion.