Ch. 23 Digestive system > GI Tract > Flashcards

GI Tract Flashcards

(48 cards)

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1
Q

What is the irregular tube called that is also known as the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract?

A

Alimentary canal

The alimentary canal is described as being like the hole in a doughnut.

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2
Q

List the six essential activities of digestive processes.

A
  • Ingestion
  • Propulsion
  • Mechanical digestion
  • Chemical digestion
  • Absorption
  • Defecation

These activities encompass the entire process of digestion from intake to waste elimination.

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3
Q

What is the process of swallowing referred to in the digestive system?

A

Propulsion

Propulsion includes both swallowing and peristalsis.

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4
Q

What is peristalsis?

A

A wave-like muscle contraction that moves food through the digestive tract

It occurs in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

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5
Q

What type of digestion involves chewing?

A

Mechanical digestion

Mechanical digestion also includes churning and segmentation.

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6
Q

What is the primary function of the small intestine in digestion?

A

Absorption of nutrients and water to blood vessels and lymph vessels

The small intestine plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption.

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7
Q

What is the role of the large intestine in the digestive system?

A

Absorption of water and formation of feces

The large intestine is responsible for eliminating waste products.

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8
Q

What is defecation?

A

The elimination of waste products

It is the final step in the digestive process.

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: Chemical digestion is the process of breaking down food into _______.

A

nutrients

This process is essential for nutrient absorption.

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10
Q

What are the two groups of organs in the digestive system?

A
  • Alimentary canal
  • Accessory digestive organs

The alimentary canal is part of the continuous gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

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11
Q

List the organs included in the alimentary canal.

A
  • Mouth
  • Pharynx
  • Esophagus
  • Stomach
  • Small intestine
  • Large intestine

The alimentary canal digests and absorbs food.

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12
Q

What are the accessory digestive organs?

A
  • Teeth
  • Tongue
  • Salivary glands
  • Liver
  • Gallbladder
  • Pancreas

These organs assist in the digestive process.

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13
Q

What is the function of the salivary glands?

A

Produce saliva to aid in digestion

Saliva helps in breaking down food in the mouth.

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: The small intestine consists of three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and _______.

A

ileum

The small intestine is crucial for nutrient absorption.

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15
Q

What is the role of the liver in the digestive system?

A

Produces bile to aid in fat digestion

The liver also processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.

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16
Q

True or false: The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver.

A

TRUE

Bile is released into the small intestine to help digest fats.

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17
Q

What are the components of the large intestine?

A
  • Cecum
  • Ascending colon
  • Transverse colon
  • Descending colon
  • Sigmoid colon
  • Rectum
  • Anal canal

The large intestine absorbs water and forms waste.

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18
Q

What is the function of the pancreas in digestion?

A

Produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate

These substances help in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

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19
Q

What is the pathway of food through the digestive system?

A
  • Oral cavity
  • Pharynx
  • Esophagus
  • Stomach
  • Small intestine (Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum)
  • Cecum
  • Ascending colon
  • Transverse colon
  • Descending colon
  • Sigmoid colon
  • Rectum
  • Anus

This pathway outlines the route food takes from ingestion to excretion.

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20
Q

Name the parts of the small intestine.

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A
  • Duodenum
  • Jejunum
  • Ileum

The small intestine is crucial for digestion and nutrient absorption.

21
Q

True or false: The appendix is part of the digestive pathway.

Study These Flashcards
A

TRUE

The appendix is located at the junction of the small intestine and the large intestine.

22
Q

What are the three sections of the colon?

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A
  • Ascending colon
  • Transverse colon
  • Descending colon

These sections play a role in the absorption of water and electrolytes.

23
Q

Fill in the blank: The rectum is followed by the _______.

Study These Flashcards
A

Anus

The anus is the final part of the digestive tract.

24
Q

What are the two kinds of motility produced by smooth muscles of the GI tract?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Peristalsis
  • Segmentation

These motility types are essential for the movement of food through the digestive system.

25
Where are smooth muscles found in the body?
* Digestive tract * Blood vessels * Ureters ## Footnote Smooth muscles are located in the walls of hollow organs or viscera.
26
True or false: Smooth muscles have **striations**.
FALSE ## Footnote Smooth muscles lack striations, distinguishing them from skeletal muscles.
27
How many nuclei are present per **smooth muscle cell**?
Single nucleus ## Footnote This characteristic is a key feature of smooth muscle cells.
28
Under microscopy, smooth muscle appears **________** and spindle-shaped.
smooth ## Footnote The appearance of smooth muscle cells is distinct from other muscle types.
29
The movement of smooth muscles is under **________** control.
involuntary ## Footnote This means that smooth muscle contractions occur without conscious control.
30
What is **peristalsis**?
Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle that propels food in a one-way motion along the length of the GI tract in the inferior direction ## Footnote It occurs in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
31
In which areas of the gastrointestinal tract does **peristalsis** occur?
* Esophagus * Stomach * Small intestine * Large intestine ## Footnote These areas are involved in the movement of food through the digestive system.
32
What is a **bolus**?
A ball of food mixed with saliva ## Footnote The bolus is formed in the mouth before being swallowed.
33
What is **chyme**?
Bolus mixed with stomach acid (HCl) ## Footnote Chyme is the semi-liquid mass that moves from the stomach to the small intestine.
34
Fill in the blank: **Peristalsis** involves the contraction and relaxation of _______ muscles.
smooth ## Footnote Smooth muscles are responsible for involuntary movements in the gastrointestinal tract.
35
True or false: **Peristalsis** moves food in both upward and downward directions in the GI tract.
FALSE ## Footnote Peristalsis propels food in a one-way motion along the GI tract in the inferior direction.
36
What is **segmentation** in the context of gastrointestinal motility?
Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle responsible for back-and-forth mixing of food (chyme) ## Footnote Occurs in the small intestine, facilitating food mixing and slow food propulsion.
37
Where does **segmentation** occur?
Small intestine ## Footnote It is a key process in the digestive system that aids in mixing food.
38
True or false: **Segmentation** is responsible for the propulsion of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
FALSE ## Footnote Segmentation primarily involves mixing rather than propulsion.
39
Fill in the blank: **Segmentation** involves the contraction and relaxation of _______ muscle.
smooth ## Footnote This muscle type is essential for the mixing action in the digestive process.
40
What is the **digestive tract** described as?
A tube that extends from mouth to anus ## Footnote The digestive tract is responsible for processing food and absorbing nutrients.
41
The wall of the digestive tract is formed by **how many layers** of tissue?
4 layers ## Footnote These layers include mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa.
42
What is the **mucosa** composed of?
* Epithelium * Underlying loose areolar connective tissue (lamina propria) ## Footnote The type of epithelium varies: stratified squamous in the esophagus, simple columnar in the stomach and intestines.
43
What type of connective tissue is found in the **submucosa**?
Dense irregular connective tissue ## Footnote The submucosa contains blood vessels and nerves.
44
What is the **muscularis externa** composed of?
* Smooth muscle * 2 layers in the esophagus and intestines (circular and longitudinal) * 3 layers in the stomach (circular, longitudinal, oblique) ## Footnote This layer is responsible for peristalsis and the movement of food.
45
What is the **serosa** also known as?
Visceral peritoneum ## Footnote The serosa is the outer layer of the digestive tract, covering abdominal organs.
46
Fill in the blank: The **mucosa** includes the epithelium and _______.
lamina propria ## Footnote The lamina propria is a connective tissue layer beneath the epithelium.
47
What are the two types of muscle layers in the **muscularis externa** of the esophagus and intestines?
* Circular muscle * Longitudinal muscle ## Footnote These muscle layers work together to facilitate the movement of food through the digestive tract.
48
True or false: The **serosa** is comprised of simple squamous epithelium and underlying loose areolar connective tissue.
TRUE ## Footnote This structure allows for smooth movement of the digestive organs within the abdominal cavity.
Ch. 23 Digestive system
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