,BIOD 103 Module 6 Exam | Medical
Terminology | Portage Learning | Q & A
| 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines the alimentary canal?
A) The accessory organs that aid in digestion
B) The whole passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus
C) The network of blood vessels that supply the digestive organs
D) The hormones that regulate digestive processes
Correct Answer: The whole passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus
Rationale: The alimentary canal, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is a continuous tube that
extends from the mouth to the anus. It includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, and is
responsible for transporting food for digestion, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste.
2. Which structure forms the roof of the oral cavity?
A) The cheeks and lips
B) The tongue
C) The hard and soft palates
D) The pharynx
Correct Answer: The hard and soft palates
Rationale: The roof of the oral cavity is formed by the hard and soft palates. The hard palate is the bony
anterior portion, while the soft palate is the muscular posterior portion. The cheeks form the sides, the
lips form the entrance, and the tongue forms the floor of the mouth.
3. What is the primary function of the tongue in the digestive process?
,A) To secrete digestive enzymes
B) To absorb nutrients from food
C) To taste food, move it for chewing, and initiate swallowing
D) To produce bile for fat emulsification
Correct Answer: To taste food, move it for chewing, and initiate swallowing
Rationale: The tongue is a muscular organ that functions to taste food, move it around the mouth for
chewing, and initiate the swallowing process. It does not secrete enzymes or absorb nutrients; those
functions are performed by other digestive structures.
4. Which type of tooth is used for biting into food and has a sharp cutting edge?
A) Premolars and molars
B) Incisors and canines
C) Molars and incisors
D) Canines and premolars
Correct Answer: Incisors and canines
Rationale: Incisors and canines are the teeth with sharp cutting edges used for biting into food.
Premolars and molars have broader crowns and are used for crushing and grinding food.
5. Which of the following teeth are used for crushing food?
A) Incisors and canines
B) Canines and premolars
C) Premolars and molars
D) Molars and incisors
Correct Answer: Premolars and molars
, Rationale: Premolars and molars have broad crowns and are used for crushing and grinding food.
Incisors and canines are used for biting and cutting.
6. What is the role of the epiglottis during swallowing?
A) It pushes food into the esophagus
B) It covers the entrance to the trachea to prevent food from entering the airway
C) It secretes mucus to lubricate the food bolus
D) It initiates the swallowing reflex
Correct Answer: It covers the entrance to the trachea to prevent food from entering the airway
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the entrance to the trachea during swallowing.
This action ensures that food enters the esophagus and not the trachea, preventing choking and
aspiration.
7. Which of the following correctly lists the three parts of the stomach?
A) Fundus, body, and antrum
B) Cardia, fundus, and pylorus
C) Body, antrum, and pylorus
D) Fundus, cardia, and body
Correct Answer: Fundus, body, and antrum
Rationale: The stomach is divided into three main parts: the fundus (upper part), the body (main central
part), and the antrum (lower part). These regions work together to store, mix, and begin the digestion of
food.
8. What is the name of the sphincter that allows food to enter the stomach from the esophagus?
A) Pyloric sphincter
B) Cardiac sphincter (esophageal sphincter)
Terminology | Portage Learning | Q & A
| 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following best defines the alimentary canal?
A) The accessory organs that aid in digestion
B) The whole passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus
C) The network of blood vessels that supply the digestive organs
D) The hormones that regulate digestive processes
Correct Answer: The whole passage along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus
Rationale: The alimentary canal, also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is a continuous tube that
extends from the mouth to the anus. It includes the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, and is
responsible for transporting food for digestion, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste.
2. Which structure forms the roof of the oral cavity?
A) The cheeks and lips
B) The tongue
C) The hard and soft palates
D) The pharynx
Correct Answer: The hard and soft palates
Rationale: The roof of the oral cavity is formed by the hard and soft palates. The hard palate is the bony
anterior portion, while the soft palate is the muscular posterior portion. The cheeks form the sides, the
lips form the entrance, and the tongue forms the floor of the mouth.
3. What is the primary function of the tongue in the digestive process?
,A) To secrete digestive enzymes
B) To absorb nutrients from food
C) To taste food, move it for chewing, and initiate swallowing
D) To produce bile for fat emulsification
Correct Answer: To taste food, move it for chewing, and initiate swallowing
Rationale: The tongue is a muscular organ that functions to taste food, move it around the mouth for
chewing, and initiate the swallowing process. It does not secrete enzymes or absorb nutrients; those
functions are performed by other digestive structures.
4. Which type of tooth is used for biting into food and has a sharp cutting edge?
A) Premolars and molars
B) Incisors and canines
C) Molars and incisors
D) Canines and premolars
Correct Answer: Incisors and canines
Rationale: Incisors and canines are the teeth with sharp cutting edges used for biting into food.
Premolars and molars have broader crowns and are used for crushing and grinding food.
5. Which of the following teeth are used for crushing food?
A) Incisors and canines
B) Canines and premolars
C) Premolars and molars
D) Molars and incisors
Correct Answer: Premolars and molars
, Rationale: Premolars and molars have broad crowns and are used for crushing and grinding food.
Incisors and canines are used for biting and cutting.
6. What is the role of the epiglottis during swallowing?
A) It pushes food into the esophagus
B) It covers the entrance to the trachea to prevent food from entering the airway
C) It secretes mucus to lubricate the food bolus
D) It initiates the swallowing reflex
Correct Answer: It covers the entrance to the trachea to prevent food from entering the airway
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the entrance to the trachea during swallowing.
This action ensures that food enters the esophagus and not the trachea, preventing choking and
aspiration.
7. Which of the following correctly lists the three parts of the stomach?
A) Fundus, body, and antrum
B) Cardia, fundus, and pylorus
C) Body, antrum, and pylorus
D) Fundus, cardia, and body
Correct Answer: Fundus, body, and antrum
Rationale: The stomach is divided into three main parts: the fundus (upper part), the body (main central
part), and the antrum (lower part). These regions work together to store, mix, and begin the digestion of
food.
8. What is the name of the sphincter that allows food to enter the stomach from the esophagus?
A) Pyloric sphincter
B) Cardiac sphincter (esophageal sphincter)
