Module 11
This muscular tube connects the pharynx to the stomach
Esophagus
Weakness of this structure is one of the causes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal sphincter
What is the chemical that refluxes into the esophagus, causing the burning pain of GERD
Hydrochloric acid (HCI)
What feature of the small intestine greatly expands its surface area, facilitating absorption
Microvilli
Which accessory organ of the GI system secretes enzymes that break down fats and carbohydrates
Pancreas
Repeated, wavelike smooth muscle contractions in the GI tract that move food through the tract are called
Peristalsis
The wall of the gut tube has layers of smooth muscle that run both circularly and longitudinally. The contraction of these muscles produces
Peristalsis
The individual epithelial cells that line this organ have a brush of microvilli to increase the surface area and absorptive capacity
Small intestine
This organ hosts an extremely acidic environment which is needed to break down food into small particles
Stomach
GERD
When stomach acids pass through GI tract
Which cells are found in the gastric pits
Chief cell, parietal cell, goblet cell