Some important Definition digestive system

Some Important Definations


Mouth
the first part of the digestive system, where food enters the body. Chewing and salivary enzymes in the mouth are the beginning of the digestive process (breaking down the food).

Bile
a digestive chemical that is produced in the liver, stored in the gall bladder, and secreted into the small intestine.

Intestines
the part of the alimentary canal located between the stomach and the anus.

Alimentary canal  
the passage through which food passes, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus.

Tomach
a sack-like, muscular organ that is attached to the esophagus. Both chemical and mechanical digestion takes place in the stomach. When food enters the stomach, it is churned in a bath of acids and enzymes.

Chyme
food in the stomach that is partly digested and mixed with stomach acids. Chyme goes on to the small intestine for further digestion.

(i)

Appendix
a small sac located on the cecum.

Digestive system
(also called the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract) the system of the body that processes food and gets rid of waste. 

Ascending colon 
the part of the large intestine that run upwards; it is located after the cecum.

Jejunum
the long, coiled mid-section of the small intestine; it is between the duodenum and the ileum.

Sigmoid colon
the part of the large intestine between the descending colon and the rectum.

Anus
the opening at the end of the digestive system from which feces (waste) exits the body. 

Pancreas
an enzyme-producing gland located below the stomach and above the intestines. Enzymes from the pancreas help in the digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the small intestine.

(iii)

Esophagus
the long tube between the mouth and the stomach. It uses rhythmic muscle movements (called peristalsis) to force food from the throat into the stomach.

Transverse colon
the part of the large intestine that runs horizontally across the abdomen.

Abdomen
the part of the body that contains the digestive organs. In human beings, this is between the diaphragm and the pelvis

Rectum
the lower part of the large intestine, where feces are stored before they are excreted.

Descending colon
the part of the large intestine that run downwards after the transverse colon and before the sigmoid colon.

Gastrointestinal tract
(also called the GI tract or digestive system) the system of the body that processes food and gets rid of waste.

Liver
a large organ located above and in front of the stomach. It filters toxins from the blood, and makes bile (which breaks down fats) and some blood proteins.

ileum
the last part of the small intestine before the large intestine begins.

Duodenum
the first part of the small intestine; it is C-shaped and runs from the stomach to the jejunum

Epiglottis
the flap at the back of the tongue that keeps chewed food from going down the windpipe to the lungs. When you swallow, the epiglottis automatically closes. When you breathe, the epiglottis opens so that air can go in and out of the windpipe.

(ii)

Gall bladder
a small, sac-like organ located by the duodenum. It stores and releases bile (a digestive chemical which is produced in the liver) into the small intestine.

Peristalsis
rhythmic muscle movements that force food in the esophagus from the throat into the stomach. Peristalsis is involuntary - you cannot control it. It is also what allows you to eat and drink while upside-down.

Salivary glands
glands located in the mouth that produce saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that break down carbohydrates (starch) into smaller molecules.

Cecum
the first part of the large intestine; the appendix is connected to the cecum.