Digestive System
Note sheet
Digestive System: The digestive system (gastrointestinal system) is responsible for:
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
The digestive system consists of:
___________________
___________________
Alimentary Canal
A long, muscular _________ that begins at the mouth and includes the:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Parts of Alimentary Canal
________________ – receives the food
________________ – help with the mastication of food
________________ – aids in chewing, swallowing, and tasting of food
________________ – bony structure that is the roof of your mouth, separates the mouth from
the nasal cavities
________________ – separates the mouth from the nasopharynx, includes the __________
which helps to prevent food from entering the nasopharynx
________________ – produces salivary amylase which begins the chemical breakdown of
___________________ into sugars
________________ – carries both food and air (air to the trachea and food to the esophagus)
_________________ (chewed food and saliva) enters the esophagus
_________________ is closed over the larynx to prevent food from entering the respiratory
tract
________________ – muscular tube behind the trachea that carries the bolus to the stomach
Like all parts of the alimentary canal, it relies on________________ (rhythmic, wavelike,
involuntary movement of muscles) to move the food in a forward direction
Stomach - Receives the food from the __________________________
___________________ – muscle b/n the esophagus and stomach that closes after food enters
___________________ – muscle b/n the stomach and small intestine that keeps food in the
stomach until it is time to move on. Food remains in the stomach for ________ hours. Food
is converted into _________ (semifluid material) by gastric juices (hydrochloric acid and
enzymes). Food is then ready to move to the ____________________.
Small intestine – accepts chyme from the _____________________. Coiled section that is
approx ________________ in length and ___________ in diameter. Divided into 3 sections:
___________________ (first 9-10 inches) – bile and pancreatic juices enter this section
___________________ (8 ft in length) – forms the middle section
___________________ (final 12 ft) – connects with the large intestine at the cecum
Small Intestine – Process of_________________ is completed here. Products of digestion are
absorbed into the ___________________________. Bile from the liver and gallbladder
physically breaks down ____________. Wall of small intestine is lined with ___________
(fingerlike projections) – absorb the digested nutrients and carry them to the _____________.
Once food has completed its trek through the small intestine, only wastes, indigestible
materials, and ______________________ remains
Large Intestine: Last part of the alimentary canal. Approx ________________ in length and
_________________________ in diameter
Functions:
Absorption of ___________________ and any remaining _____________________
Storage of _________________ before elimination
Transportation of waste out of the _____________________________
Divided into a series of connected sections:
_________________ - connected to the ileum of the small intestine (contains the appendix)
_________________
 _____________________ – continues up the right side of the body
 _____________________ – extends across the abdomen
 _____________________ – extends down the left side of the body
 _____________________ – S-shaped section that joins with the rectum
__________________ – final _______________________ of the large intestine. Storage area
for _____________________ and wastes. Has a narrow canal called the _______________
which opens at the anus
__________________ – ____________________ is expelled through this opening
Accessory Organs
____________________ - The largest gland in the body. Located under the ______________
in the upper right quadrant. Secretes___________ which breaks down fats and makes them
water soluble. Stores___________________ in the form of glycogen, iron, and some vitamins.
Produces _______________________ (prevents clotting in the blood). Detoxifies substances
such as______________________ and ____________________________.Accessory Organs
____________________ - Small, muscular sac located under the _________ and attached to it
by connective tissue. Stores and concentrates __________ which is received from the liver.
Sends bile to the ____________________ when needed.
____________________ - Glandular organ located behind the _______________. Produces
_________________ to digest food. Produces _____________ which regulates metabolism
(converting glucose into energy)
Diseases and Abnormal Conditions
_________________________ - Acute inflammation of the appendix resulting from an
_____________________ and infection. Symptoms – abdominal pain that localizes in the
LRQ, ________________________, mild fever, and elevated WBC. Rupture of the appendix is
a serious condition (infection spills into the peritoneal cavity) Treatment - _______________.
_________________________ - Inflammation of the ___________________. Symptoms
occur after eating ______________ and include: ___________________, nausea and vomiting,
pain that starts under the rib cage and radiates to the right shoulder. Treatment: low-fat diet
or a ____________________________.
________________________ - Chronic destruction of_________ cells which leads to scar
tissue. Some causes include hepatitis and _____________________. Some common
symptoms: liver enlargement, anemia,________________, and ____________________.
________________________ - Causes include a diet low in fiber, ____________________, or
extended laxative use. Usually self-corrected with diet, hydration, and exercise.
________________________ - Causes include infection, ____________, and diet. Treated by
eliminating the infection and modifying diet.
________________________ - Painful dilated _______________ in the rectum. Causes
include constipation, laxative abuse, or __________________. Treatment includes a high
fiber diet, increased fluid intake, or a _____________________________.
________________________ - Inflammation of the diverticula (___________ that form in the
intestine as the mucosal lining pushes through the surrounding muscle). Occurs when fecal
material or _____________________ become trapped in the diverticula. Symptoms include:
abdominal pain, abdominal distention, __________________________, nausea and vomiting
Treatment includes antibiotics,________________________, change in diet, or even surgery to
remove the affected section of the colon.
_________________________ - Inflammation of the ___________________________ that
lines the stomach and intestinal tract. Causes include ___________________, infection, and
toxins. Symptoms include a__________________________, nausea, vomiting, fever, and
diarrhea. Treatment includes __________________, antibiotics, and increased fluid intake.