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Ch. 24 The Digestive System
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 12th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew12th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy and PhysiologyISBN: 9780137854011Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 12th EditionCh. 24 The Digestive SystemProblem 8
Chapter 24, Problem 8

Regional movements that occur in the small intestine and function to churn and fragment the digestive material are called:
(a) Segmentation
(b) Pendular movements
(c) Peristalsis
(d) Mass movements
(e) Mastication

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the types of movements in the digestive system. The small intestine exhibits several types of movements that help in digestion and absorption.
Step 2: Define each option: (a) Segmentation involves rhythmic contractions that churn and mix the intestinal contents, breaking them into smaller pieces without moving them forward significantly.
(b) Pendular movements are longitudinal muscle contractions that help move contents back and forth but are less involved in fragmentation.
(c) Peristalsis is a wave-like contraction that propels contents forward through the digestive tract.
(d) Mass movements are strong peristaltic waves in the large intestine that move fecal material toward the rectum.
(e) Mastication is the process of chewing in the mouth, not related to intestinal movements.
Step 3: Identify which movement specifically churns and fragments digestive material in the small intestine. This is the key to selecting the correct answer.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Segmentation

Segmentation refers to localized contractions in the small intestine that mix and churn the digestive contents. These movements help fragment food and enhance contact with digestive enzymes and absorptive surfaces, facilitating nutrient absorption.
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Peristalsis

Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that move food along the digestive tract. Unlike segmentation, peristalsis primarily propels contents forward rather than mixing or fragmenting them.
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Pendular Movements

Pendular movements are longitudinal muscle contractions in the small intestine that create a back-and-forth motion. This action helps mix intestinal contents but is less involved in fragmenting food compared to segmentation.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Most of the digestive tract is lined by_____epithelium.

(a) pseudostratified ciliated columnar

(b) cuboidal

(c) stratified squamous

(d) simple

(e) simple columnar

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Textbook Question

Label the four layers of the digestive tract in the following figure.

a. ___

b. ___

c. ___

d. ___

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Textbook Question

Bile release from the gallbladder into the duodenum occurs only under the stimulation of

(a) Cholecystokinin

(b) Secretin

(c) Gastrin

(d) Enteropeptidase

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Textbook Question

What are the six main processes of the digestive system?

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Textbook Question

Label the digestive system structures in the following figure.

a. ___

b. ___

c. ___

d. ___

e. ___

f. ___

g. ___

h. ___

i. ___

j. ___

k.___

Textbook Question

Label the three segments of the small intestine in the following figure.

a. ___

b. ___

c. ___