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Digestive system
Digestive system The organs in the body that break down and absorb food. Organs that make up the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
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Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
Esophagus
The organ that connects the mouth to the stomach. Also called gullet.
Stomach
The organ between the esophagus and the small intestine. The stomach is where digestion of protein begins.
Intestine
The tube involved in digestion and extending from the stomach to the anus. Consists of the small intestine and the large intestine.
Rectum
An 8-inch chamber connected to the large intestine that receives solid waste (feces) from the descending colon to be expelled from the body. The rectum connects the colon to the anus. It is the rectum's job to receive stool from the colon, to let the person know that there is stool to be evacuated, and to hold the stool until evacuation happens.
Anus
The opening at the end of the rectum of the alimentary canal through which feces are discharged. The anus has erotosexual potential in both sexes.
Digestion
The process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair.
Tongue
The muscular organ attached to the floor of the mouth. Used to speak, chew, swallow and taste.
Saliva
Clear lubricating fluid in the mouth containing water, enzymes, bacteria, mucus, viruses, blood cells and undigested food particles.
Pancreas
A large, elongated gland located behind the lower portion of the stomach that secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon into the blood. These hormones are essential in regulating blood sugar levels. The pancreas also secretes enzymes into the small intestine that help with digestion and neutralize acid from the stomach.
Liver
The largest organ in the body. The liver carries out many important functions, such as making bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood.
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DiGeorge syndrome
A genetic disorder characterized by hypocalcemia, immunodeficiency, and congenital heart disease: Hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood) due to hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the parathyroid glands that are needed to control calcium; Immunodeficiency due to hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the thymus (an organ behind the breastbone needed for the maturation of lymphocytes into T cells); and Congenital heart disease with defects of the outflow tracts (the pulmonary artery and aorta) from the heart. Next to Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome is the most common genetic cause of congenital heart disease.
Digestants
Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency.
Digestion
The process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair.
Digestive system disorders
A general term for all disorders of the digestive system, which processesfood and eliminates waste.
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Diaphragm
The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing.
Diastolic blood pressure
The lowest blood pressure measure in the arteries, which occurs between heartbeats.
Dietitian
A specialist in the study of nutrition.
Digestants
Medicines that aid or stimulate digestion. An example is a digestive enzyme such as Lactaid for people with lactase deficiency.
Digestion
The process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair.
Digestive system
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
Procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer.
Distention
Bloating or swelling of the abdomen.
Diuretic
A medication that lowers blood pressure.
Diverticula
Plural form of diverticulum.
Diverticulitis
A condition that occurs when small pouches in the colon (diverticula) become infected or irritated. Also called left-sided appendicitis.
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