Upper Digestive System: Structure, Function, and Digestion Process

Question 1

Which structure within the upper digestive system is responsible for initiating the mechanical breakdown of food?

Accepted Answer

Mouth

Answer

Esophagus

Answer

Stomach

Answer

Small intestine

Question 2

The primary function of the esophagus in the digestive process is to:

Accepted Answer

Transport food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach

Answer

Secrete digestive enzymes that break down food

Answer

Absorb nutrients from food

Answer

Store food prior to digestion

Question 3

Which region of the stomach serves as the primary site for food storage?

Accepted Answer

Fundus

Answer

Cardia

Answer

Body

Answer

Antrum

Question 4

The process of transforming swallowed food into a semi-liquid substance, facilitating further digestion, is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Chyme formation

Answer

Gastric emptying

Answer

Peristalsis

Answer

Secretion

Question 5

Which hormone plays a central role in stimulating the secretion of gastric acid?

Accepted Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Pancreatic polypeptide

Question 6

The muscular layer of the stomach wall, responsible for churning and propelling food, is known as the:

Accepted Answer

Muscularis externa

Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa

Answer

Serosa

Question 7

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for initiating protein digestion within the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Trypsin

Answer

Chymotrypsin

Answer

Carboxypeptidase

Question 8

The opening that connects the esophagus to the stomach is anatomically referred to as the:

Accepted Answer

Gastroesophageal junction

Answer

Cardiac sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Question 9

Which type of cell within the stomach lining is specialized for secreting hydrochloric acid?

Accepted Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Mucous cells

Answer

Enteroendocrine cells

Question 10

The primary function of the pyloric sphincter is to:

Accepted Answer

Control the rate at which food leaves the stomach

Answer

Prevent food from entering the esophagus

Answer

Allow food to enter the duodenum

Answer

Produce digestive enzymes

Question 11

In the mouth, which structure is mainly responsible for physically breaking down food?

Accepted Answer

Teeth

Answer

Tongue

Answer

Salivary glands

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of the mouth in digestion?

Accepted Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Mastication (chewing)

Answer

Lingual lipase secretion (initial fat digestion)

Answer

Taste perception

Question 13

The primary function of the esophagus is to:

Accepted Answer

Transport food to the stomach

Answer

Secrete gastric juice

Answer

Digest carbohydrates

Answer

Absorb water and electrolytes

Question 14

Which cell type in the gastric glands is responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid?

Accepted Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Goblet cells

Answer

Enteroendocrine cells

Question 15

The hormone that stimulates gastric acid secretion is:

Accepted Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Pancreatic polypeptide

Question 16

The enzyme present in gastric juice that initiates protein digestion is:

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Maltase

Question 17

The sphincter that prevents food from flowing back into the esophagus is the:

Accepted Answer

Lower esophageal sphincter

Answer

Upper esophageal sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Question 18

Which nervous system division primarily stimulates gastric acid secretion?

Accepted Answer

Parasympathetic

Answer

Sympathetic

Answer

Enteric

Answer

Central

Question 19

Which of the following accurately describes the inner lining of the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells, producing mucus

Answer

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Answer

Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Answer

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 20

Which enzyme secreted with gastric juice specifically initiates protein digestion?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Trypsin

Question 21

What is the primary function of the esophagus?

Accepted Answer

To transport ingested food from the mouth to the stomach

Answer

To secrete digestive enzymes

Answer

To absorb nutrients

Answer

To store food

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a known function of saliva?

Accepted Answer

Digesting proteins

Answer

Lubricating ingested food

Answer

Beginning the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates (starches) via salivary amylase

Answer

Providing antibacterial protection

Question 23

Identify the muscular valve that controls the flow of food from the esophagus into the stomach.

Accepted Answer

Cardiac sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Answer

Hepatopancreatic sphincter

Question 24

Which type of cell in the stomach is responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid (HCl)?

Accepted Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Mucous cells

Answer

Enteroendocrine cells

Question 25

What is the primary role of the pyloric sphincter?

Accepted Answer

Controlling the rate of gastric emptying into the duodenum

Answer

Preventing gastric contents from flowing back into the esophagus

Answer

Secreting digestive enzymes

Answer

Absorbing nutrients

Question 26

Which layer of the stomach wall is responsible for muscular contractions that aid in mixing and propelling food?

Accepted Answer

Muscularis externa

Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa

Answer

Serosa

Question 27

Which structure initiates the mechanical breakdown of food by chewing and grinding?

Accepted Answer

Mouth

Answer

Esophagus

Answer

Stomach

Question 28

Which hormone triggers the release of gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, from the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Secretin

Question 29

Within the stomach's wall, which layer primarily produces hydrochloric acid?

Accepted Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa

Answer

Muscularis externa

Question 30

The primary role of the esophagus is to:

Accepted Answer

Transport food from the mouth to the stomach

Answer

Digest food

Answer

Absorb nutrients from food

Question 31

Which cells in the gastric mucosa are responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid?

Accepted Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Goblet cells

Question 32

Which sphincter or muscular valve acts as a barrier, preventing the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus?

Accepted Answer

Lower esophageal sphincter

Answer

Pyloric sphincter

Answer

Ileocecal valve

Question 33

Which enzyme is the primary initiator of protein digestion in the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Lipase

Question 34

Which statement about the gastric mucosa is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Lacks mucus-secreting cells

Answer

Contains parietal cells

Answer

Has a rich blood supply

Question 35

What type of muscular contractions are responsible for propelling food through the esophagus?

Accepted Answer

Peristalsis

Answer

Segmentation

Answer

Mass movements

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a function of saliva?

Accepted Answer

Neutralizing stomach acid

Answer

Initiating digestion of carbohydrates

Answer

Lubricating food for easier swallowing

Answer

Killing bacteria in the mouth

Question 37

What is the muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Esophagus

Answer

Trachea

Answer

Bronchus

Answer

Duodenum

Question 38

Which of the following layers of the stomach is responsible for producing gastric acid?

Accepted Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa

Answer

Muscularis externa

Answer

Serosa

Question 39

What is the name of the enzyme secreted by the stomach that initiates protein digestion?

Accepted Answer

Pepsin

Answer

Amylase

Answer

Lipase

Answer

Trypsin

Question 40

Which of the following hormones stimulates gastric acid secretion?

Accepted Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Secretin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Insulin

Question 41

What is the primary function of the pyloric sphincter?

Accepted Answer

Controls the rate of gastric emptying into the duodenum

Answer

Prevents gastric contents from entering the esophagus

Answer

Produces bile to aid in fat digestion

Answer

Neutralizes stomach acid

Question 42

What is the name of the lining of the stomach that protects it from the acidic environment?

Accepted Answer

Gastric mucosa

Answer

Parietal cells

Answer

Chief cells

Answer

Goblet cells

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a function of the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Absorption of nutrients

Answer

Mechanical digestion

Answer

Chemical digestion

Answer

Storage of food

Question 44

During digestion, which nutrient's absorption in the stomach depends on the presence of intrinsic factor?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin B12

Answer

Iron

Answer

Glucose

Answer

Calcium

Question 45

Which factor is the primary cause of peptic ulcers?

Accepted Answer

Helicobacter pylori infection

Answer

Excessive alcohol consumption

Answer

Stress

Answer

Spicy foods

Question 46

How does the muscularis mucosa layer of the stomach wall contribute to the stomach's ability to mix and propel food, aiding in nutrient absorption?

Accepted Answer

By contracting and relaxing to churn and mix food, maximizing its interaction with digestive enzymes.

Answer

By generating peristaltic waves that move food toward the small intestine.

Answer

By secreting gastric juice, which chemically breaks down food particles.

Question 47

Which structure within the stomach is responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen?

Accepted Answer

Gastric glands

Answer

Salivary glands

Answer

Liver

Answer

Pancreas

Question 48

What is the primary physiological role of the esophagus in the upper digestive system?

Accepted Answer

Transport food from the pharynx to the stomach

Answer

Secrete digestive enzymes

Answer

Absorb nutrients

Question 49

Which hormone in the upper digestive system primarily stimulates the secretion of gastric acid?

Accepted Answer

Gastrin

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Cholecystokinin

Answer

Secretin

Question 50

What is the primary function of the muscularis externa layer in the wall of the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Mix and propel food

Answer

Secrete gastric juice

Answer

Store food

Answer

Absorb nutrients

Question 51

What is the primary function of the pyloric sphincter in the upper digestive system?

Accepted Answer

Control the flow of food from the stomach into the duodenum

Answer

Secrete bicarbonate ions

Answer

Prevent reflux of duodenal contents into the stomach

Question 52

Which of the following factors does NOT influence gastric secretion?

Accepted Answer

Blood glucose levels

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Answer

pH of the stomach contents

Answer

Gastrin release

Question 53

What is the primary function of the stomach in the digestive process?

Accepted Answer

Break down food into smaller particles and initiate protein digestion

Answer

Secrete bile

Answer

Absorb nutrients

Question 54

Which of the following layers is NOT present in the wall of the esophagus?

Accepted Answer

Serosa

Answer

Muscularis externa

Answer

Mucosa

Answer

Submucosa