Pathophysiology Practice Test: Structure and Function of the Digestive System — Flashcards

The digestive system is a long, twisting tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, and breaks down food into nutrients that the body can use for energy, growth, and cell repair. It consists of the digestive tract (gut), and other organs like the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. 

The digestive system has six main functions:
Ingestion: The first activity of the digestive system is to take in food through the mouth.
Mechanical digestion: Starts in the mouth.
Chemical digestion: Starts in the mouth, and is aided by digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, pepsin, and trypsin.
Movements: Peristalsis in the esophagus and small intestine.
Absorption: Nutrients are absorbed into the blood in the small intestine.
Elimination: Waste leaves the body as feces (poo) in the rectum and anus. 

The digestive system is made up of two main categories of organs:
Alimentary canal: Also called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut, this is a one-way tube that extends from the mouth to the anus. The organs of the alimentary canal are the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Accessory digestive organs: These organs include the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas.