Vocab 1
The process in which food is mechanically and chemically broken down into tiny, simple particles.
The firm surface at the top or roof of the mouth.
Hard palate
The top of the throat.
Nasopharynx
The area behind the larynx or voice box.
laryngopharynx
A small segment of tissue behind the tongue that blocks food or drink from entering the windpipe.
epiglottis
Commonly called the throat.
Pharynx
The roof of the mouth behind the hard palate.
soft palate
The middle portion of the small intestine that absorbs nutrients such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.
jejunum
The last portion of the small intestine that is involved in human digestion of food.
ileum
Burning sensation of sternal area after eating or lying down.
heartburn
the inner lining of the cheeks and lips, specifically the soft tissue that supports eating and chewing
buccal mucosa
The area of the throat at the very back of the mouth.
oropharynx
Wave-like, muscular contractions within the gastrointestinal tract that propel the movement of food.
peristalsis
A fungal infection of the oral cavity that presents as raised, white patches.
oral candidiasis
Intestinal transporting epithelial cells.
enterocytes
The introductory portion of the small intestine that is involved in human digestion.
duodenum
Acid reflux that travels back from the stomach and up the esophagus.
GERD
The chronic and underlying destruction of the alveolar bone, causing tooth loss.
periodontitis
Nonmedical factors that cause positive or negative effects on health outcomes.
social determinants of health (SDOT)
Epigastric pain.
dyspepsia
The area behind the wisdom teeth.
retromolar trigone
Glands in the pancreas that secrete enzymes for digestion and comprise 85% of the composition of the organ.
pancreatic acini
Used to destroy cancer cells by using intense radiation rays directed externally toward the anatomical site of the tumor location. In some cases, the radiation can be implanted inside the body as beads or pellets to be delivered or placed near the tumor.
radiation therapy
Also called upper endoscopy, it is a procedure to examine, evaluate, and sometimes treat problems of the inner lining of the esophagus and upper GI tract using a flexible tube-like scope called an endoscope.
esophagogastroduodenoscopy
An endoscopic procedure used for Barrett’s esophagus in which precancerous and cancerous tissue in the esophagus are destroyed by heat, cold, or radiofrequency energy using ablation techniques or visible nodules are resected by expert GI endoscopists.
endoscopic eradication therapy