- the major portion of the body between the chest and hips
absorbed
- to soak up, take in
allergy
- a negative reaction to a foreign substance
amino acids
- carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen; the building blocks of protein
antacids
- a medicine that helps to change the acidity of stomach acid
anus
- the portion of the body where feces is expelled
appendectomy
- the operation in which the appendix is removed
appendicitis
- the illness caused when the appendix becomes infected
appendix
- a finger sized organ in the lower portion of the large intestine
avian
- related to birds
B
bacteria
- single celled organisms
bile
- a chemical used in the digestion of fats
bloodstream
- organs of the body in which blood flows
bolus
- chewed up food mass
bowel movement
- the last stop in the movement of food through the digestive tract, as stool passes out of the body through the rectum and anus
C
calories
- how energy in food is measured
carbohydrates
- sugars and starches
chemicals
- a basic substance that has a reaction with other substances
chyme
- fluid consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food, produced in the stomach and passed to the small intestine
colon
- large intestine
constipation
- feces gets hard and is difficult to push out
crop
- a temporary food storage organ in a bird
cud
- partly digested food that is re-chewed
D
diabetes
- the body's inability to produce insulin
diarrhea
- feces gets too soft and can even be runny
duct
- an entry location
E
enzymes
- protein created by a cell for a particular body function
epiglottis
- a flap of cartilage that covers over the windpipe when swallowing
esophagus
- a vertical tube that goes from mouth to stomach
F
fats
- nutrients in food used as a fuel source for the body and to build cell membranes and nerve tissue. Fat cells are the major storage form of energy in the body
feces
- body waste, poop
fibers
- parts of food that help clean the colon; rough, indigestible parts such as the stringy parts of celery or the outside of corn kernels
fibrous
- having a texture like fiber
food allergy
- an unpleasant or dangerous reaction of the body's immune system after a certain food is eaten
food sensitivity
- a reaction to some foods
G
gall bladder
- an organ that stores bile for digestion of fats
gas
- gas in your digestive tract, composed of air and other gases, leaves your digestive tract through your mouth when you burp, or through your anus when you pass gas
gastric juices
- stomach acids that are emitted to help with digestion
gastroenterologists
- medical doctors who specialize in treating disorders of the digestive system
GER
- gastroesophageal reflux, which happens when food and acid from the stomach go back up into the esophagus and cause uncomfortable heartburn. If GER happens frequently and causes other health problems, it is called GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease
gizzard
- a muscular organ of a bird's digestive system where food is ground using rocks or other hard material like grit
H
heartburn
- the burning feeling caused when stomach acid enters the esophagus
I
immune system
- the body system that fights and protects against infections
infection
- (infected) when germs, viruses or bacteria become overgrown and cause illness
insulin
- a hormone that helps regulate sugars in the body
invading organisms
- germs, bacteria, viruses or chemicals that attack body cells and systems
L
large intestine
- also called the colon - organ in the digestive system that removes excess water and a few waste products
liver
- large organ of the body that has many purposes, produces bile to aid in digestion
M
minerals
- inorganic substances necessary for living organisms; calcium, iron, copper, zinc, etc.
monogastric
- one stomach
mucus
- slimy material secreted by the body
N
nausea
- sick feeling, urge to vomit
nutrients
- the necessary parts of food used for energy and growth
P
pancreas
- gland that sends hormones to regulate body functions; insulin is produced here
peristalsis
- the waves of movement of the digestive organs that move food from mouth to rectum
projections
- objects that stick out into a pathway
proteins
- building blocks of muscle
pseudo ruminant
- animals that eat large amounts of fiber but, unlike ruminants, have only a three-chambered stomach and do not regurgitate their food
R
rectum
- last part of the large intestine
regurgitate
- to bring food that has been swallowed back up into the mouth
ruminant
- digestive system with multiple stomach chambers or parts
S
saliva
- spit
saliva gland
- organ that stores saliva
small intestine
- part of the digestive system where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream
sphincter
- a muscle that controls the flow of food, chyme, and feces
stool
- body waste, poop
V
vertebrate
- animals that have backbones inside their bodies
villi
- hair-like parts of the small intestine that help move nutrients into the bloodstream
vitamins
- natural substance necessary for growth and health
vomiting
- throwing up
W
wheat gluten
- a type of protein found in wheat
windpipe
- the trachea or tube that moves air from the mouth and nose to the lungs
