WGU D312 Anatomy & Physiology
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1. What is a bolus?
Correct Answer: A bolus is the compact mass of food formed by the
combination of chewing by the teeth and repositioning by the tongue.
2. List the 3 parts of the pharynx.
Correct Answer: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx.
3. Through what sections of the pharynx does air travel? Through what
sections of the pharynx does food travel?
Correct Answer: Air enters the nose, continues through the nasopharynx,
oropharynx and the laryngopharynx. Air then enters the trachea on its way to the
lungs. Food and liquid enter the mouth, continue through the oropharynx and the
laryngopharynx but then continue into the esophagus.
4. What prevents food from entering the lungs and why is this necessary?
Correct Answer: Food is prevented from entering the larynx by the epiglottis,
a flap of elastic cartilage which covers the larynx when swallowing food or liquid.
, 5. Describe how the muscular layers in the pharynx assist with food passage.
Correct Answer: The pharynx has two types of skeletal muscles; a
circumferential outer layer and an inner longitudinal layer which contract
alternatively squeezing food into the esophagus.
6. List and describe the tissue layers of the esophagus.
Correct Answer: The esophagus contains 4 layers of tissue: the innermost
layer is the mucosa which secretes mucus into the interior the gastrointestinal
tract, the second layer is the submucosa which contains blood and lymph vessels,
lymph nodes, nerves, and mucous glands, the third layer is the muscularis externa
which is made of two layers of muscle: the outer longitudinal fibers and inner
circumferential fibers and the outermost layer is the serosa which is made up of
cells that make serous fluid.
7. Name the Two main divisions of the digestive system organs.
Correct Answer: (1) those of the alimentary canal and (2) the accessory
digestive organs
7. Name the seven parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Correct Answer: Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, and anus.
8. Name the six digestive system accessory organs.
Correct Answer: Teeth, tongue, gallbladder, salivary glands, liver and
pancreas.
, 10. What structures respectively form these parts of the mouth?:
A. Opening
B. Floor
C. Walls
D. Roof
Correct Answer: a. Opening = Lips
b. Floor = Tongue
c. Walls = Cheeks
d. Roof = Hard/soft palates
11. List the two bones and the membrane to which the tongue is attached.
Correct Answer: The tongue is attached to the hyoid bone and the mandible
and the membranous lingual frenulum.
12. How many teeth are there in an adult human and what do they do?
Correct Answer: There are thirty-two teeth in the human mouth. Together
they work to tear, crush and grind food to mechanically digest food.
13. What are the four types of teeth, how many of each type are there and what
does each type do?
Correct Answer: The teeth are composed of two chisel-shaped incisors for
biting; one pointed canine for tearing; two fairly flat pre-molars for grinding; and
three flat molars for crushing.
14. What is the specific function of the salivary gland in the process of digestion?
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT Comprehensive Resource To Help You
Ace 2026-2027 Includes Frequently Tested Questions With
ELABORATED 100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!!
Current Update!!
WITH CLEAR IMAGES
1. What is a bolus?
Correct Answer: A bolus is the compact mass of food formed by the
combination of chewing by the teeth and repositioning by the tongue.
2. List the 3 parts of the pharynx.
Correct Answer: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx.
3. Through what sections of the pharynx does air travel? Through what
sections of the pharynx does food travel?
Correct Answer: Air enters the nose, continues through the nasopharynx,
oropharynx and the laryngopharynx. Air then enters the trachea on its way to the
lungs. Food and liquid enter the mouth, continue through the oropharynx and the
laryngopharynx but then continue into the esophagus.
4. What prevents food from entering the lungs and why is this necessary?
Correct Answer: Food is prevented from entering the larynx by the epiglottis,
a flap of elastic cartilage which covers the larynx when swallowing food or liquid.
, 5. Describe how the muscular layers in the pharynx assist with food passage.
Correct Answer: The pharynx has two types of skeletal muscles; a
circumferential outer layer and an inner longitudinal layer which contract
alternatively squeezing food into the esophagus.
6. List and describe the tissue layers of the esophagus.
Correct Answer: The esophagus contains 4 layers of tissue: the innermost
layer is the mucosa which secretes mucus into the interior the gastrointestinal
tract, the second layer is the submucosa which contains blood and lymph vessels,
lymph nodes, nerves, and mucous glands, the third layer is the muscularis externa
which is made of two layers of muscle: the outer longitudinal fibers and inner
circumferential fibers and the outermost layer is the serosa which is made up of
cells that make serous fluid.
7. Name the Two main divisions of the digestive system organs.
Correct Answer: (1) those of the alimentary canal and (2) the accessory
digestive organs
7. Name the seven parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Correct Answer: Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, and anus.
8. Name the six digestive system accessory organs.
Correct Answer: Teeth, tongue, gallbladder, salivary glands, liver and
pancreas.
, 10. What structures respectively form these parts of the mouth?:
A. Opening
B. Floor
C. Walls
D. Roof
Correct Answer: a. Opening = Lips
b. Floor = Tongue
c. Walls = Cheeks
d. Roof = Hard/soft palates
11. List the two bones and the membrane to which the tongue is attached.
Correct Answer: The tongue is attached to the hyoid bone and the mandible
and the membranous lingual frenulum.
12. How many teeth are there in an adult human and what do they do?
Correct Answer: There are thirty-two teeth in the human mouth. Together
they work to tear, crush and grind food to mechanically digest food.
13. What are the four types of teeth, how many of each type are there and what
does each type do?
Correct Answer: The teeth are composed of two chisel-shaped incisors for
biting; one pointed canine for tearing; two fairly flat pre-molars for grinding; and
three flat molars for crushing.
14. What is the specific function of the salivary gland in the process of digestion?
