Anatomy & Physiology Digestive System Exam

1. Which of the following is not found in the alimentary canal?

A. Cystic duct
B. Gastroesophageal sphincter
C. Pylorus
D. Sigmoid colon

2. The mechanical and chemoreceptors that control digestive activity are located:
A. In the glandular tissue that lines the organ lumen
B. In the walls of the tract organs
C. In the pons and medulla
D. Only in the esophagus because this is the only part of the tract that needs to change to
accommodate food passage

3. The chemical and mechanical processes of food breakdown are called:

A. Digestion
B. Absorption
C. Secretion
D. Ingestion

4. When we ingest large molecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, they must undergo catabolic
reactions whereby enzymes split these molecules. This series of reactions is called:
A. Absorption
B. Secretion
C. Chemical digestion
D. Mechanical digestion

5. From the esophagus to the anal canal, the walls of every organ of the alimentary canal are made up of the
same four basic layers. Arrange them in order from the lumen.
A. Mucosa, muscularis externa, submucosa, and serosa
B. Serosa, mucosa, submucosa, and muscularis externa
C. Serosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and mucosa
D. Mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa

6. The capillaries that nourish the epithelium and absorb digested nutrients lie in the:
A. Muscularis externa
B. Mucosa
C. Submucosa
D. Serosa

7. Secretions from the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct are regulated by the:
A. Sphincter of Oddi
B. Cardiac sphincter
C. Pyloric sphincter
D. Ileocecal valve
8. The absorptive effectiveness of the small intestine is enhanced by increasing the surface area of the
mucosal lining. Which of the following accomplish this task?
A. Intestinal villi
B. Intestinal gap junctions
C. Digestive enzymes
D. The rugae

9. During childhood, how many deciduous teeth are there in a complete set?
A. 18
B. 20
C. 22
D. 24

10. How many teeth are found in a complete set during adulthood?
A. 28
B. 30
C. 32
D. 34

11. Which of the following is not true of saliva?

A. It contains bactericides
B. It contains enzymes which catabolize protein
C. It moistens food and aids in the compacting of the bolus
D. It dissolves food chemicals so they can be tasted

12. Digestion of protein (to amino acids) is completed by which enzyme?

A. Pepsin
B. Trypsin
C. Chymotrypsin
D. Carboxypeptidase

13. Which of the following is an accessory structure and produces a digestive enzyme?
A. Gall bladder
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Stomach

14. Chyme is created in the:

A. Mouth
B. Esophagus
C. Stomach
D. Duodenum

15. Hydrochloric acid is secreted by which type of cells in the stomach?

A. Chief cells
B. Parietal cells
C. Goblet cells
D. Enteroendocrine cells
16. Gastrin, histamine, endorphins, serotonin, cholecystokinin, and somatostatin are hormones produced by
which type of cells?
A. Chief cells
B. Parietal cells
C. Goblet cells
D. Enteroendocrine cells

17. Which layer of the alimentary canal is made of the smooth muscle involved in peristalsis?
A. Mucosa
B. Muscularis externa
C. Serosa
D. Submucosa

18. Peristaltic waves are:

A. Segmental regions of the gastrointestinal tract
B. Churning movements of the gastrointestinal tract
C. Pendular movements of the gastrointestinal tract
D. Waves of muscular contractions that propel contents from one point to another

19. Pepsinogen, a digestive enzyme, is secreted by the:

A. Chief cells of the stomach
B. Parietal cells of the stomach
C. Goblet cells of the stomach
D. Enteroendocrine cells of the stomach

20. You have just eaten a meal high in complex carbohydrates. Which of the following enzymes will help to
digest the meal?
A. Gastrin
B. Amylase
C. Cholecystokinin
D. Trypsin

21. Secretin is an enzyme that is liberated by the duodenal mucosa in response to:
A. Acidic chyme entering the small intestine
B. Acidic chyme entering the large intestine
C. Basic chyme entering the small intestine
D. Basic chyme entering the large intestine

22. Which of the following enzymes is responsible for the catabolism of lipids?
A. Amylase
B. Lipase
C. Carboxypeptidase
D. Cholecystokinin

23. Which vitamin requires intrinsic factor in order to be absorbed?

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B6
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin D
24. The terminal portion of the small intestine is called the:
A. Pylorus
B. Duodenum
C. Jejunum
D. Ileum

25. If an incision has to be made in the small intestine to remove an obstruction, the first layer of tissue to be
cut is the:
A. Serosa
B. Mucosa
C. Muscularis externa
D. Submucosa

26. As the food in the stomach is repeatedly squeezed and mixed with gastric juice, it is converted into a
creamy paste called:
A. A bolus
B. Chyme
C. Feces
D. Bilirubin

27. Surgical cutting of the lingual frenulum would occur in which part of the body?
A. Stomach
B. Tongue
C. Epiglottis
D. Salivary glands

28. Small herniations of the mucosa through the colon walls result in:
A. Gastric ulcers
B. Hemorrhoids
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D. Diverticulitis (DVT)

29. Helicobacter pylori infection can result in:

A. Gastric ulcers
B. Peritonitis
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D. Diverticulitis (DVT)

30. Which of the following is not an accessory organ of the alimentary canal?
A. Anus
B. Teeth
C. Gall bladder
D. Liver
31. Which is the proper order of digestive processes?
A. Ingestion, deglutition, propulsion, absorption, defecation
B. Deglutition, ingestion, absorption, propulsion, defecation
C. Ingestion, deglutition, absorption, propulsion, defecation
D. Deglutition, ingestion, propulsion, absorption, defecation

32. The location and attachment of most of the digestive organs in the body is:
A. Within peritoneum in the abdominopelvic cavity
B. Within pleura in the abdominopelvic cavity
C. Within pericardium in the abdominopelvic cavity
D. Within peritoneum in the epigastric cavity

33. Which of the following is not a digestive artery?

A. Hepatic
B. Splenic
C. Celiac
D. Median

34. The hepatic portal circulation circulates venous blood to the:

A. Small intestine
B. Spleen
C. Liver
D. Heart

35. The oral, or buccal cavity is composed of which type of tissue?

A. Simple columnar epithelial
B. Simple squamous epithelial
C. Stratified columnar epithelial
D. Stratified squamous epithelial

36. What is the name of the dangling tissue in the posterior area of the buccal cavity which initiates a gag
reflex?
A. Frenulum
B. Uvula
C. Soft palate
D. Hard palate

37. Which of the following indicates the normal pH of saliva?

A. 5.25
B. 5.75
C. 6.25
D. 6.75

38. Which salivary glands are found anterior to the ears?

A. Parotid
B. Sublingual
C. Submandibular
D. Buccal
39. Which tooth type tears or pierces food?
A. Incisors
B. Cuspids
C. Bicuspids
D. Molars

40. Which tooth structure serves as the site of dental carries?

A. Crown
B. Neck
C. Root
D. None of the above

41. The esophagus is a 10 inch tube which terminates at the:

A. Sphincter of Oddi
B. Pyloric sphincter
C. Cardiac sphincter
D. Anal sphincter

42. The average stomach can store up to:

A. ½ gallon
B. ¾ gallon
C. 1 gallon
D. 1.5 gallons

43. Which disease results due to a lack of intrinsic factor?

A. Diverticulitis
B. Pernicious anemia
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
D. Peritonitis

44. Which part of the brain is responsible for emesis?

A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Thalamus
D. Medulla oblongata

45. The small intestine terminates at the:

A. Ileocecal valve
B. Anus
C. Pylorus
D. Pyloric sphincter

46. The four regions of the large intestine in order from the cecum to the rectum are:
A. Descending, transverse, ascending, sigmoid
B. Ascending, sigmoid, transverse, descending
C. Transverse, ascending, sigmoid, descending
D. Ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid
47. What occurs when too much water is removed from stools in the large intestine?
A. Constipation
B. Diarrhea
C. Hemorrhoids
D. Valsalva’s maneuver

48. What results from anal veins becoming inflamed?

A. Constipation
B. Diarrhea
C. Hemorrhoids
D. Valsalva’s maneuver

49. Which of the following is not a digestive function of the liver?

A. Synthesizes bile
B. Stores glucose as glycogen
C. Stores vitamins B & C
D. Stores vitamins A, D, E, & K

50. Which hormone stimulates the contraction of the gall bladder?

A. Cholecystokinin
B. Secretin
C. Serotonin
D. Gall bladder contraction hormone (GBCH)

51. The normal pancreatic juice pH would be

A. 7.0
B. 8.0
C. 8.5
D. 9.0

52. The presence of hydrochloric acid in the duodenum stimulates the release of secretin, which leads to
pancreatic juice entering the duodenum. What substance in pancreatic juice neutralizes the HCl?
A. Mucus
B. Bicarbonate
C. Carboxypeptidase
D. Cholesterol

53. Which hormone relaxes the sphincter of Oddi?

A. Gastrin
B. Somatostatin
C. Relaxin
D. Cholecystokinin

54. Which of the following enzymes does not cause the catabolism of a protein?
A. Trypsin
B. Carboxypeptidase
 C. Pepsin
D. Trypsinogen

55. Which of the following is not an electrolyte?

A. PO4
B. HCO3-
C. K+
D. Cl-

56. How much water (average) is absorbed by the digestive system daily?
A. 7.5 liters
B. 8.0 liters
C. 8.5 liters
D. 9.0 liters

57. The tongue, controlled by the ____ nerve, pushes food toward the pharynx.
A. Abducens
B. Glossopharyngeal
C. Vagus
D. Vestibulococchlear

58. Where would one find the fundus?

A. Stomach
B. Pancreas
C. Liver
D. Sigmoid colon

59. The precursor pepsinogen is converted to pepsin:

A. In the duodenum
B. In the presence of HCl
C. In the pancreas
D. Only when high concentrations of salt are present

60. Bile, which is synthesized in the liver, assists the:

A. Catabolism of proteins
B. Absorption of water
C. Formation of feces
D. Emulsification of lipids

61. The large intestine is so-named because it exceeds the small intestine in:
A. Diameter
B. Length
C. Number of enzymes produced
D. Amount of smooth muscle

62. Obstruction of the sphincter of Oddi results impairs digestion by reducing the availability of:
A. Bile and HCl
B. HCl and intestinal juice
 C. Pancreatic juice and intestinal juice
D. Bile and pancreatic juice

63. The digestive juice product containing enzymes capable of digesting all four major foodstuff categories is:
A. Pancreatic
B. Gastric
C. Salivary
D. Biliary

64. The vitamin associated with calcium absorption is

A. A
B. K
C. C
D. D

65. What substance makes up the visual portion of a tooth?

A. Dentin
B. Cementum
C. Enamel
D. Pulp

66. The action of an enzyme is influenced by:

A. Its physical surroundings
B. Its specific substrate
C. The presence of needed cofactors
D. All of the above

67. The peritoneal cavity:

A. Is the same thing as the abdominopelvic cavity
B. Is filled with air
C. Is like the pleural and pericardial cavities, a potential space containing serous fluid
D. Contains the pancreas and all of the duodenum

68. Gastrin is a(n) ___ that causes ___.

A. Enzyme, the stomach to release HCl and produce enzymes
B. Hormone, the pyloric sphincter to open
C. Hormone, the stomach to stretch
D. Hormone, the stomach to release HCl and increase gastric emptying

69. The site of production of GIP, VIP, and CCK is the:

A. Stomach
B. Small intestine
C. Pancreas
D. Liver

70. The gall bladder:

A. Produces bile
 B. Is attached to the pancreas
C. Stores bile
D. Produces secretin

71. Fatty stools would result from the absence of

A. Bile
B. Gastric juice
C. Secretin
D. Amylase

72. Gall stones result from

A. Too much cholesterol and too few bile salts
B. Too many bile salts and not enough cholesterol
C. Stress
D. A lack of a gall bladder

73. The hormone which acts as an “off switch” by inhibiting gastric secretion and emptying as well as inhibiting
pancreatic secretion and intestinal absorption is ___.
A. Gastrin
B. Histamine
C. Serotonin
D. Somatostatin

74. In order for the nutrients to leave the small intestine and enter the bloodstream, the nutrients must be
absorbed into the ___.
A. Crypts of Lieberkuhn
B. Lacteals
C. Mucosal glands
D. Villi

75. The pancreatic duct enters the duodenum along with the ___, both of which are regulated by the sphincter
of Oddi.
A. Common bile duct
B. Cystic duct
C. Hepatic duct
D. Daffy duct

76. Bile consists of ___.

A. Bile salts
B. Cholesterol
C. Bilirubin
D. All of the above

77. Which enzyme catabolyzes lactose sugar into monosaccharides?

A. Galactase
B. Lactase
C. Maltase
D. Sucrase
78. The large intestine ____.
A. Absorbs water from the bloodstream
B. Houses bacteria responsible for vitamin K production
C. Both A & B
D. None of the above

79. Iron binds to ____ and is stored in the mucosal cells

A. Ferrum
B. Ferratin
C. Transferrin
D. None of the above
Match the labels with the digestive system structures
Figure 1.

1. _____

2. _____

3. _____

4. _____ 23

5. _____

6. _____

7. _____

8. Hepatic flexture of the colon

9. _____

10. _____

11. _____

12. _____

13. Sigmoid flexture of the colon

14. _____

15. _____

16. _____

17. _____

18. _____

19. _____

20. Splenic flexture of the colon

21. Spleen
22. _____

23. _____

Figure 2.
Word Bank
1. _____
A. Anus
2. _____ (Region) B. Appendix
C. Ascending colon
3. _____ D. Body of stomach
E. Cardia of stomach
4. _____ F. Cardiac sphincter
G. Caecum
5. _____ H. Common bile duct
I. Common hepatic duct
6. _____ J. Crypts of Lieberkuhn
K. Cystic duct
L. Descending colon
M. Duodenum
Figure 5. N. Esophagus
O. Fundus
1. _____ P. Gallbladder
Q. Ileum
2. _____ R. Islets of Langerhans
S. Jejunum
3. _____ T. Liver
U. Pancreas
4. _____ V. Pancreatic Duct
W. Parotid gland
5. _____ X. Peyer patches
Y. Pyloric sphincter
6. _____ Z. Pylorus
AA.Rectum
BB. Sigmoid colon
CC. Sphincter of Oddi
DD. Spleen
EE. Stomach
FF. Sublingual gland
GG. Submandibular gland
HH.Transverse colon