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 | Definition 
 
        | A hollow tube that runs from the mouth to the anus (oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine) |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Inner cavity that spans the GI tract |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Physical and chemical breakdown of food |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | transfer of nutrients from the digestive tract into the blood or lymphatic circulatory systems |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Process where solid waste (feces) is formed and released from the body |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Act as one way valves, which regulate the flow of the luminal contents from one organ to the next |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | consists mainly of epithelial cells and carries out a variety of digestive functions |  | 
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        | GI Secretions (Digestive Juices) |  | Definition 
 
        | substances released by organs that make up the digestive system that facilitate the process of digestion |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | A layer of tissue that lies between the mucosa and muscularis tissue layers |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Layer of tissue in the GI tract that consists of two layers of smooth muscle |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | fluid in the lymphatic vessels that is derived from tissue fluids |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | connective tissue that encloses the GI tract |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Mixing and propulsive movements of the GI tract caused by contraction and relaxation of the muscularis |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | muscular movement in the GI tract that moves the contents back and forth within a small region |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Waves of muscular contractions that move materials in the GI tract in a forward direction |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Substance that coats and protects mucous membranes |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions that break chemical bonds by the addition of water, resulting in the breakdown of large molecules into smaller components |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | neurons located within the submucosa and muscularis layers of the digestive tract |  | 
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        | sensory receptor that reacts to chemical stimulus |  | 
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        | a sensory receptor that responds to pressure, stretching, or mechanical stimulus |  | 
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        | Part of the nervous system made up of the brain and spinal cord |  | 
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        | hormones secreted by the mucosal lining of the GI tract that regulate GI motility and secretion |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | response of the central nervous system to sensory stimuli that occurs before food enters the GI tract (increases GI motility and GI secretions) |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | phase of digestion stimulated by the arrival of food into the stomach characterized by increased GI motility and release of GI secretions |  | 
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 | Definition 
 
        | Phase of digestion when chyme enters |  | 
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