Salivary Glands Anatomy Quiz

The Mouth

• Salivary glands produce serous (watery) fluid and amylase (enzyme) and mucous (thick, protective) fluid.
• There are three types of salivary glands: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual.
• The mouth contains teeth, which decrease the size of food particles, including:
  • Incisors (cutting teeth)
  • Cuspids or canines (tearing teeth)
  • Bicuspids and molars (grinding teeth)

The Pharynx

• The pharynx connects the nasal cavity with the oral cavity for breathing.
• It has three divisions: nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.
• The pharynx pushes food into the esophagus.

Swallowing

• The process of swallowing involves the coordination of muscle contractions and relaxations.

The Rectum and Anal Canal

• The rectum is a storage area for feces (left-over chyme) and is connected to the sigmoid colon.
• The anal canal is the last part of the digestive tract, where defecation occurs.
• The defecation reflex is stimulated by mass movements and involves the relaxation of anal sphincters.

The Liver

• The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the common bile duct.
• The liver's functions include:
  • Detoxification of the blood
  • Storage of vitamins and iron
  • Production of bile and enzymes

The Gallbladder

• The gallbladder's only function is to store bile.
• Bile salts break up large fat globules, increasing the absorption of fatty acids, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins.

Common Diseases and Disorders

• Appendicitis: inflammation of the appendix, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
• Cirrhosis: chronic liver disease, where normal tissue is replaced with nonfunctional scar tissue.
• Cholelithiasis: hard deposits of cholesterol or bilirubin in the gallbladder.
• Colitis: inflammation of the large intestine, which can be acute or chronic.
• Colorectal cancer: arises from the lining of the rectum or colon, and is curable if treated early.
• Constipation: difficult defecation.
• Crohn's disease: inflammatory bowel disease, typically affecting the small intestine.
• Inguinal hernia: portion of the large intestine protrudes into the inguinal canal or, in males, into the scrotum.
• Oral cancer: usually involves the lips or tongue, but can occur anywhere in the mouth, and tends to spread rapidly.
• Pancreatic cancer: the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Stomach cancer: commonly occurs in the cardiac portion of the stomach, and is more frequent in Japan, Chile, and Iceland.
• Stomach ulcers: breakdown in the lining of the stomach.

The Small Intestine

• Functions: digestion, absorption of nutrients, and segmentation.
• Sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
• Mesentery: a double-layered fold of peritoneum that attaches the small intestine to the back of the abdominal wall.

Absorption of Nutrients

• Carbohydrates: starches, simple sugars, and cellulose; excess glucose is stored as glycogen.
• Lipids: used to make energy when glucose levels are low; triglycerides are the most abundant; excess is stored in adipose tissue.
• Proteins: used for growth and tissue repair; vitamins and minerals are essential for various bodily functions.
• Vitamins: fat-soluble (A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble; requirements vary.
• Minerals: found in bones and teeth, used to make enzymes, cell membranes, and proteins.

Aging and the Digestive System

• Decreased motility, absorption, and ability to detoxify blood.
• More likely to develop ulcers and cancers.
• Sense of taste is altered.
• Dietary changes may occur due to isolation, depression, or other age-related factors.