Name:__________________ Test Date:______________

DIGESTIVE UNIT STUDY GUIDE

DIGESTION – The process of breaking down food into substances that can be
used by the body.

PARTS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM – Know where it is located and what

the function (job) of each part:
Mouth (teeth, tongue, saliva) Word together to break food into smaller pieces and
moisten food to make it easier to swallow.
Esophagus – The tube food passes through from the mouth to the stomach.
Epiglottis – The flap of skin that closes over the windpipe so food goes to the
stomach and not to the lungs.
Stomach – Turns and chemically breaks down food to go to the small intestine.
Small Intestines – The approximately 25-foot tube that absorbs nutrients into the
body.
Villi – Small finger-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients.
Liver – Makes bile (helps digest food), stores minerals and vitamins, and helps get
rid of harmful substances in the blood.
Gall Bladder - Stores bile from the liver until it is released into the intestine.
Large Intestines (colon) – The 5-foot part of the digestive system that absorbs
fluids from undigested food into the body.
Rectum – The final section of the large intestine.
Anus – The opening where feces (waste) leaves the body
Appendix – No known cause
Pancreas – Makes insulin that controls sugar levels in the blood

ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY:
Insulin – A substance that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood.
Choking – What happens when an object blocks the windpipe (which runs parallel
to the esophagus) making it difficult to breath.
Heimlich Maneuver – A procedure where pressure is applied between the navel
and the rib cage to prevent choking.
Feces: Bodily waste eliminated through the rectum.

DISEASES AND CONDITIONS OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:

1. Cancer – The growth of abnormal cells. To help prevent, drink water, eat
foods high in fiber, and visit the doctor when sick or yearly.
2. Ulcer – A painful erosion of the stomach and intestines.
3. Diabetes – A condition where the body doesn’t produce the necessary
amount of insulin.
4. Hypoglycemia – a condition where there is not enough sugar in the blood.
5. Vomiting – Also known as throwing up or regurgitating.
 6. Diarrhea – Watery feces

WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: See Packet Page 10

- Eat foods high in fiber such as fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods.
- Drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day
- Exercise about 60 minutes a day

Additional computer site to study:

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/health/anatomy/digestion/
digestion_tutorial.htm AND
http://www.frsd.k12.nj.us/cms/lib01/NJ01001104/Centricity/Domain/462/
digestive%20flash%20cards.pdf
Anatomy: