44 Digestive System Trivia Questions

The digestive system is an intricate network of organs responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. 

But, how much do you know about this essential bodily system? 

Test your knowledge with these fun and informative trivia questions that will take you on a journey through the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and beyond! 

Digestive System Trivia Questions

1. What is the name of the longest part of the human digestive system, where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs?
   
   
2. What enzyme, produced by the salivary glands, begins the process of starch digestion in the mouth?
   
   
3. The stomach lining secretes a strong acid. What is the name of this acid?
   
   
4. Which hormone, produced in the stomach, is responsible for stimulating gastric acid secretion?
   
   
5. What is the name of the first part of the small intestine, where most chemical digestion takes place?
   
   
6. The liver produces a substance that is crucial for the digestion and absorption of fats. What is this substance called?
   
   
7. What is the name of the process by which the stomach contents are forced into the small intestine?
   
   
8. Which part of the digestive system is primarily responsible for water absorption and formation of feces?
   
   
9. What is the name of the valve that regulates the passage of material from the small intestine to the large intestine?
   
   
10. What autoimmune disorder affects the digestive system by damaging the villi of the small intestine when foods containing gluten are consumed?
    
    
11. What is the name of the sphincter that controls the passage of food from the esophagus into the stomach?
    
    
12. In the human digestive system, what is the primary function of the pancreas?
    
    
13. What term describes the finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase the surface area for absorption?
    
    
14. The liver has several vital roles, but which compound does it produce that is critical for blood clotting?
    
    
15. What condition is characterized by the inflammation of the liver?
    
    
16. What is the name of the muscular tube that delivers food from the mouth to the stomach?
    
    
17. The accumulation of hard fecal material in the last part of the colon is known as what?
    
    
18. Which disease is caused by insufficient production of the enzyme lactase, leading to difficulty in digesting lactose found in dairy products?
    
    
19. What is the term for the semi-liquid mass of partly digested food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine?
    
    
20. Which organ is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels?
    
    
21. What is the medical term for difficulty in swallowing?
    
    
22. What structure prevents food from entering the windpipe during swallowing?
    
    
23. The removal of which organ, often due to gallstones or inflammation, affects bile storage but not bile production?
    
    
24. How many primary teeth (baby teeth) does a typical human child have before they are replaced by permanent teeth?
    
    
25. What syndrome is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and alteration in bowel habits without any identifiable cause?
    
    
26. What is the term for the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth, often occurring during sleep?
    
    
27. What autoimmune disease leads to the destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, directly impacting digestion by altering glucose absorption?
    
    
28. What is the primary digestive function of the large intestine’s bacteria?
    
    
29. The presence of what in the liver helps to detoxify substances by converting ammonia into urea?
    
    
30. Name the condition characterized by the outpouching of the colon’s wall, often asymptomatic but can lead to complications.
    
    
31. Which digestive disorder is characterized by the presence of peptic ulcers in the stomach or duodenum?
    
    
32. What term describes the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, causing heartburn and potential injury to the esophagus?
    
    
33. What is the medical term for the surgical removal of the appendix?
    
    
34. What is the name of the longest muscle in the human body, which plays a significant role in supporting the process of digestion by aiding in the movement of food through the digestive tract?
    
    
35. Which vitamin is predominantly absorbed in the ileum section of the small intestine?
    
    
36. What is the term for the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a high level of bilirubin in the bloodstream?
    
    
37. What chronic inflammatory bowel disease affects only the colon and rectum?
    
    
38. What is the name of the condition characterized by the inflammation of diverticula in the colon?
    
    
39. Name the sphincter that controls the release of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum.
    
    
40. What is the term for the complex mixture of partially digested food, water, digestive enzymes, and hydrochloric acid in the stomach?
    
    
41. Which syndrome refers to the rapid emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine, causing symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and diarrhea after eating?
    
    
42. What is the name of the enzyme that breaks down proteins into peptides in the stomach?
    
    
43. The process by which the liver processes nutrients and filters out toxins from the blood is known as what?
    
    
44. What is the medical term for the chronic condition characterized by the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically affecting both the small and large intestines, often referred to collectively with ulcerative colitis as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs)?

Answers

1. Small intestine.
   
   
2. Amylase.
   
   
3. Hydrochloric acid (HCl).
   
   
4. Gastrin.
   
   
5. Duodenum.
   
   
6. Bile.
   
   
7. Peristalsis.
   
   
8. Large intestine (colon).
   
   
9. Ileocecal valve.
   
   
10. Celiac disease.
    
    
11. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or cardiac sphincter.
    
    
12. To produce enzymes that digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and to produce bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid.
    
    
13. Villi.
    
    
14. Prothrombin.
    
    
15. Hepatitis.
    
    
16. Esophagus.
    
    
17. Fecal impaction.
    
    
18. Lactose intolerance.
    
    
19. Chyme.
    
    
20. Pancreas.
    
    
21. Dysphagia.
    
    
22. Epiglottis.
    
    
23. Gallbladder.
    
    
24. 20 deciduous teeth by the age of 3 years
    
    
25. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
    
    
26. Bruxism.
    
    
27. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
    
    
28. To ferment undigested carbohydrates and synthesize certain vitamins.
    
    
29. Hepatocytes.
    
    
30. Diverticulosis.
    
    
31. Peptic Ulcer Disease.
    
    
32. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
    
    
33. Appendectomy.
    
    
34. Sartorius muscle (Note: This is incorrect; the relevant muscle for digestion would be muscles like the muscularis externa in the digestive tract. The Sartorius is not directly involved in digestion but is indeed the longest muscle in the human body).
    
    
35. Vitamin B12.
    
    
36. Jaundice.
    
    
37. Ulcerative Colitis.
    
    
38. Diverticulitis.
    
    
39. Sphincter of Oddi.
    
    
40. Chyme.
    
    
41. Dumping Syndrome.
    
    
42. Pepsin.
    
    
43. Hepatic metabolism or detoxification.
    
    
44. Crohn’s Disease.