The Digestive System

Front 1

The passage of substances accross and into tissues

Back 1

absorption

Front 2

A musculomembranous tube, about 30 feet long, extending from the mouth to the anus and lined with a mucous memebrane; digestive tract; gastrointestinal tract

Back 2

alimentary canal

Front 3

anorganic chemical coumpound composed of one or more basic amino groups and one or more acidic carboxyl groups

Back 3

amino acids

Front 4

an enzyme that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules

Back 4

amylase

Front 5

the opening through which the solid wastes are eliminated from the body

Back 5

anus

Front 6

a watery fluid containing albumin, glucose, and electrolytes that accummulates in the peritoneal cavity in association with certain disease conditions

Back 6

ascitic fluid

Front 7

One of two teeth between the molars and canines of the upper and lower jaw

Back 7

bicuspid tooth

Front 8

A bitter, yellow-green secretion of the liver

Back 8

bile

Front 9

The orange-yellow pigment of bile, formed principally by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells after termination of their normal life span

Back 9

bilirubin

Front 10

The portion of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric opening of the stomach to the anus

Back 10

bowel

Front 11

Any one of four teeth, two in each jaw, situated immediately lateral to the incisor teeth in the human dental arches; cuspid tooth

Back 11

canine tooth

Front 12

The muscular ring (sphincter) in the stomach that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach

Back 12

cariac sphincter

Front 13

A cul-de-sac containing the first part of the large intestine. It joins the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine

Back 13

cecum

Front 14

Abnormal presence of gallstones in the gallbladder

Back 14

cholelithiasis

Front 15

The liquidlike material of partially digested food and digestive secretions found in the stomach just before it is released into the duodenum

Back 15

chyme

Front 16

The portion of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum

Back 16

colon

Front 17

The duct formed by the joining of the cystic duct and hepatic duct

Back 17

common bile duct

Front 18

The part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line

Back 18

crown

Front 19

The first set of primary teeth; baby teeth

Back 19

deciduous teeth

Front 20

The act of expelling feces from the rectum through the anus

Back 20

defecation

Front 21

Swallowing

Back 21

deglutition

Front 22

The chief material of teeth surrounding the pulp and situated inside of the enamel and cementum

Back 22

dentin

Front 23

An allied health professional trained to plan nutrition programs for sick as well as healthy people

Back 23

dietitian

Front 24

The process of altering the chemical and physical composition of food so that it can be used by the body cells

Back 24

digestion

Front 25

Thre first portion of the small intestine; the shortest, widest, & most fixed portion of small intestine

Back 25

duodenum

Front 26

To disperse a liquid into another liquid, making a colloidal suspension

Back 26

emulsify

Front 27

A hard, white substance that covers the dentin of the crown of a tooth; hardest substance of the body

Back 27

enamel

Front 28

A gland that secretes its enzymes directly into the blood capillaries instead of being transported by way of ducts

Back 28

endocrine gland

Front 29

A protein produced by living cells that catalyzed chemical reactions in organic matter

Back 29

enzyme

Front 30

A muscular canal, about 24 cm long, extending from the pharynx to the stomach

Back 30

esophagus

Front 31

A gland that secretes its enzymes into a network of tiny ducts that transport it to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel

Back 31

exocrine gland

Front 32

Any of several organic acids produced by the hydrolysis of neutral fats

Back 32

fatty acids

Front 33

Wast or excrement from the digestive tract that is formed in the intestine and expelled through the rectum

Back 33

feces

Front 34

A pear-shaped excretory sac lodged in a fossa on the visceral surface of the right lobe of the liver

Back 34

gallbladder

Front 35

A medical doctor who specializes in the study of the diseases and disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and bile duct

Back 35

gastroenterologist

Front 36

A procedure in which liquid or semiliquid food is introduced into the stomach through a tube

Back 36

gavage

Front 37

Gums

Back 37

gingivae

Front 38

A horomone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas that stimulates the liver to convert glycogen into glucose when the blood sugar level is dangerously low

Back 38

glucagon

Front 39

A simple sugar found in certain foods, especially fruits, and major source of energy occurring in human and animal body fluids

Back 39

glucose

Front 40

A complex sugar (starch) that is the major carbohydrate stored in animal cells; formed from glucose and stored chiefly in the liver and muscle cells

Back 40

glycogen

Front 41

The conversion of simple sugar into a complex form of sugar for storage in the liver

Back 41

glycogenesis

Front 42

The breakdown of glycogen into glucose by the liver, releasing it back into the circulating blood in response to a very low blood sugar level

Back 42

glycogenolysis

Front 43

Liver cell

Back 43

hepatocyte

Front 44

A compounding consisting of hydrogen and chlorine

Back 44

hydrochloric acid

Front 45

The distal portion of the small intestine extending from the jejunum to the cecum

Back 45

ileum

Front 46

One of the eight front teeth, four in each dental arch

Back 46

incisor

Front 47

A naturally occurring hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood

Back 47

insulin

Front 48

The intermediate or middle of the three portions of the small intestine; connects proximally with the duodenum & distally with the ileum

Back 48

jejunum

Front 49

The process of irrigating, or washing out an organ, usually the bladder, bowel, paranasal sinuses, or stomach for therapeutic purposes

Back 49

lavage

Front 50

An enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats

Back 50

lipase

Front 51

The largest gland of the body and one of its most complex organs

Back 51

liver

Front 52

The lower portion of the gastrointestinal tract consisting of the small and large intestines

Back 52

lower GI tract

Front 53

Chewing, tearing, or grinding food with the teeth while it becomes mixed with saliva

Back 53

mastication

Front 54

Any of 12 teeth, 6 in each dental arch, located posterior to the premolar teeth

Back 54

molar tooth

Front 55

An allied health professional who studies and applies the principles and science of nutrition

Back 55

nutritionist

Front 56

The section of the pharynx leading away from the oral cavity

Back 56

oropharynx

Front 57

A structure that forms the roof of the mouth

Back 57

palate

Front 58

An elongated organ approximately 6-9 inches long, located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen the secretes various substances such as digestive enzymes, insulin, and glucagon

Back 58

pancreas

Front 59

a small nipple-shaped projection that extend from collagen fibers, the capillary blood vessels, and sometimes the nerves of the dermis

Back 59

papillae

Front 60

One of the largest pairs of salivary glands that lie at the side of the face just below and in front of the external ear

Back 60

parotid gland

Front 61

The coordinated, rhythmic, serial contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract, bile through the bile duct, and urine through the ureters

Back 61

peristalsis

Front 62

The full set of teeth (32) that replace the deciduous or temporary teeth

Back 62

permanent teeth

Front 63

The throat

Back 63

pharynx

Front 64

Any soft, spongy tissue

Back 64

pulp

Front 65

A thickened muscular ring in the stomach that regulates the passage of food from the pylorus of the stomach into the duodenum

Back 65

pyloric sphincter

Front 66

The portion of the large intestine, about 12 cm long, continuous with the descending sigmoid colon, just proximal to the anal canal

Back 66

rectum

Front 67

A ridge or fold

Back 67

rugae

Front 68

The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary and mucous glands in the mouth

Back 68

saliva

Front 69

One of the three pairs of glands secreting into the mouth

Back 69

salivary glands

Front 70

The portion of the colon that extends from the end of the descending colon in the pelvis to the juncture of the rectum

Back 70

sigmoid colon

Front 71

A circular band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening in the body

Back 71

sphincter

Front 72

The major organ of digestion located in the left upper quadrant of teh abdomen and divided into a body and pylorus

Back 72

stomach

Front 73

A compound consisting of a fatty acid (oleic, palmitic, or stearic) and glycerol

Back 73

triglycerides

Front 74

The upper part of the gastrointestinal tract consisting of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach

Back 74

upper GI tract

Front 75

The small, cone-shaped process suspended in the mouth from the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate

Back 75

uvula

Front 76

One of the many tine projections barely visible to the naked eye clustered over the entire mucous surface of the small intestine

Back 76

villi

Front 77

Abnormal condition characterized by the absence of HCl in the gastric juice

Back 77

achlorhydria

Front 78

Lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat

Back 78

anorexia

Front 79

condition characterized by the loss of the ability to swallow as a result of organic or psychologic causes

Back 79

aphagia

Front 80

An abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity

Back 80

ascites

Front 81

An audible abdominal sound produced by hyperactive intestinal peristalsis; rumbling, gurgling, and tinkling noises heard when listening with a stethoscope

Back 81

borborygmus

Front 82

Difficulty in passing stools, or an incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools

Back 82

constipation

Front 83

The frequent passage of loose, watery stools

Back 83

diarrhea

Front 84

A vague feeling of epigastric discomfort after heating; uncomfortable feeling of fullness, heartburn, bloating, nausea

Back 84

dyspepsia

Front 85

Difficluty in swallowing

Back 85

dysphagia

Front 86

Excessive leanness caused by disease or lack of nutrition

Back 86

emaciation

Front 87

Vomiting

Back 87

emsis

Front 88

Belching

Back 88

eructation

Front 89

Passing gas

Back 89

flatus; flatulence

Front 90

backflow of contents of the stomach into the esophagus that is often the result of incompetence of teh lower esophageal spinchter

Back 90

gastroesophageal reflux

Front 91

Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera of the eyes, caused by greater than normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood; jaundice

Back 91

icterus

Front 92

Abnormal, black, tarry stool containing digested blood

Back 92

melena

Front 93

unpleasant sensation often leading to the urge to vomit

Back 93

nausea

Front 94

common chronic condition of itching of the skin around the anus

Back 94

pruritus ani

Front 95

greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces, characterized by frothy, foul-smelling fecal matter that floats

Back 95

steatorrhea

Front 96

decreased mobility of teh lower 2/3 of the esophagus along with constriction of teh lower esophageal sphincter

Back 96

achalasia

Front 97

An abnormal passageway in the skin surface near the anus usually connecting with the rectum

Back 97

anal fistula

Front 98

small inflammatory, noninfectious ulcerated lesions occurring on the lips, tongue, and inside the cheeks of the mouth; caker sores

Back 98

aphthous stomatitis

Front 99

nutritional malabsorption due to damaged small bowel mucosa

Back 99

celiac disease

Front 100

large, foul-smelling stools with unabsorbed fat

Back 100

steatorrhea

Front 101

a large number of polyps in the large bowel

Back 101

chronic polyposis

Front 102

a disease of the liver that is chronic and degenerative causing injury to the hepatocytes

Back 102

cirrhosis

Front 103

the presence of a malignant neoplasm in the large intestine

Back 103

colorectal cancer

Front 104

a state in which the individual's pattern of bowel elimination is characterized by a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements and the passage of hard, dry stools

Back 104

constipation

Front 105

digestive tract inflammation of a chronic nature causing fever, cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, and anorexia

Back 105

chrohn's disease

Front 106

tooth decay caused by acid-forming microorganisms

Back 106

dental caries

Front 107

An expression used to characterize both diverticulosis and diverticulitis

Back 107

diverticular disease

Front 108

describes the noninflamed outpouching or herniations of the muscular layer of the intestine, typically the sigmoid colon

Back 108

diverticulosis

Front 109

Inflammation of these outpouchings called diverticula

Back 109

diverticulitis

Front 110

a term used to describe painful intestinal inflammation typically caused by ingesting water or food containing bacteria, protozoa, parasites, or chemical irritants

Back 110

dysentery

Front 111

swollen, twisted (tortuous) veins located in the distal end of the esophagus

Back 111

esophageal varices

Front 112

pigmented or hardened cholesterol stones formed as a result of bile crystallization

Back 112

gallstones

Front 113

a permanently distended vein, called a varicosity, in the distal rectum or anus

Back 113

hemorrhoids

Front 114

acute or chronic inflammation of the liver due to a viral or bacgterial infection, drugs, alcohol, toxins, or parasites

Back 114

hepatitis

Front 115

A virus frequently transmitted by the fecal-oral route or due to poor hygiene, contaminated water, or shellfish

Back 115

hepatitis A

Front 116

Hepatitis virus transmitted from blood or body fluid of an infected individual to another individual

Back 116

hepatitis B

Front 117

Hepatitis virus transmitted through the intravenous route in blood transfusions or when persons share needles

Back 117

Hepatitis C

Front 118

Irregular protrusion of tissue, organ, or a portion of an organ through and abnormal break in the surrounding cavity's muscular wall

Back 118

hernia

Front 119

Inflammatory infectious lesions in or on the oral cavity occurring as a primary or a secondary viral infection caused by herpes simplex

Back 119

herpetic stomatitis

Front 120

Absence at birth of the autonomic ganglia in a segment of the intestinal smooth muscle wall that normally stimulates peristalsis

Back 120

Hirschsprung's disease (congenital megacolon)

Front 121

A term used to describe an obstruction of the intestine

Back 121

ileus

Front 122

Complete or partial alteration in the forward flow of the contents in the small or large intestines

Back 122

intestinal obstruction

Front 123

Telescoping of a portion of proximal intestine into distal intestine usually in the ileocecal region causing an obstruction

Back 123

intussusception

Front 124

Increased motility of the small or large intestinal wall resulting in abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, anorexia, and the trapping of gas throught the intestines

Back 124

irritable bowel syndrom (IBS); spastic colon

Front 125

A precancerous lesion occurring anywhere in the mouth

Back 125

oral leukoplakia

Front 126

An acute or chronic destructive inflammatory condition of the pancreas

Back 126

pancreatitis

Front 127

A break in the continuity of the mucous membrane lining of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of hyperacidity or the bacterium Helicobacgter pylori

Back 127

peptic ulcers (gastric, duodenal, perforated)

Front 128

A term used to describe a group of inflammatory gum disorders, which may lead to degeneration of teeth, gums, and sometimes surrounding bones

Back 128

periodontal disease

Front 129

Minor inflammation of the gums

Back 129

gingivitis

Front 130

A fungal infection in the mouth and throat producing sore, creamy white, slightly raised curdlike patches on the tongue and other oral mucosal surfaces; caused by Candida albicans

Back 130

thrush

Front 131

A chronic inflammatory condition resulting in a break in the continuity of teh mucous membrane lining of the colon in the form of ulcers

Back 131

ulcerative colitis

Front 132

A rotation of loops of bowel causing a twisting on itself that results in an intestinal obstruction

Back 132

volvulus

Front 133

The use of very-high-frequency sound waves to provide visualization of the internal organs of teh abdomen

Back 133

abdominal ultrasound

Front 134

The insertion of a needle or trochar into the abdominal cavity to remove excess fluid, with the person in a sitting position

Back 134

abdominocentesis (paracentesis)

Front 135

A hepatocellular enzyme released in elevated amounts due to liver dysfunction; serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT)

Back 135

alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Front 136

An enzyme found in the highest concentrations in the liver, biliary tract, and bone

Back 136

alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

Front 137

An enzyme secreted normally from the pancreatic cells that travels to the duodenum by way of teh pancreatic duct and aids in digestion

Back 137

amylase

Front 138

Infusion of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, into the rectum and held in the lower intestinal tract while x-ray films are obtained of the lower GI tract

Back 138

barium enema (BE); lower GI series

Front 139

Oral administration of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, which flows into the esophagus as the person swallows

Back 139

barium swallow (upper GI series)

Front 140

Surgically correcting a defect of the lip

Back 140

cheiloplasty

Front 141

The surgical removal of the gallbladder

Back 141

cholecystectomy