Free Digestive System MCQs with Answers

40 Digestive System MCQs from Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

The digestive system covers the structure and functions of the alimentary canal from mouth to anus, along with the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. It explains mechanical and chemical digestion, the action of major enzymes, absorption through intestinal villi, and how digestion differs from absorption and assimilation.

Last updated

40 questions · page 2 of 2

  • A. Duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon
  • B. Jejunum, duodenum, ileum, colon
  • C. Ileum, jejunum, duodenum, colon
  • D. Duodenum, ileum, jejunum, colon

Explanation: Food passes from the stomach into the duodenum, then through the jejunum and ileum before entering the colon.

Correct answer: Duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon
  • A. Breaking food into smaller pieces by chewing
  • B. Changing starch into maltose by amylase
  • C. Starting protein digestion with gastric enzymes
  • D. Emulsifying fat with bile salts

Explanation: Chewing physically breaks food into smaller pieces and mixes it with saliva.

Correct answer: Breaking food into smaller pieces by chewing
  • A. Initial starch digestion and lubrication of food
  • B. Protein digestion and absorption of vitamin B12
  • C. Fat emulsification and storage of bile
  • D. Water absorption and formation of faeces

Explanation: Saliva moistens food and contains salivary amylase, which begins starch digestion.

Correct answer: Initial starch digestion and lubrication of food
  • A. Pyloric sphincter
  • B. Cardiac sphincter
  • C. Ileocecal valve
  • D. Internal anal sphincter

Explanation: The pyloric sphincter regulates the emptying of partially digested food from the stomach into the duodenum.

Correct answer: Pyloric sphincter
  • A. Bicarbonate
  • B. Pepsin
  • C. Intrinsic factor
  • D. Hydrochloric acid

Explanation: Pancreatic bicarbonate neutralizes acid entering the duodenum from the stomach.

Correct answer: Bicarbonate
Moderate
  • A. Transport of digested fats into lymphatic vessels
  • B. Transport of amino acids into blood capillaries
  • C. Absorption of water into the colon
  • D. Movement of glucose into the stomach

Explanation: Lacteals are lymphatic vessels inside intestinal villi that take up most absorbed fats as chylomicrons.

Correct answer: Transport of digested fats into lymphatic vessels
  • A. My body uses absorbed nutrients in its cells
  • B. My stomach breaks food into smaller molecules
  • C. My intestine moves nutrients into the blood
  • D. My rectum stores waste before elimination

Explanation: Assimilation is the use of absorbed nutrients by body cells for energy, growth, repair, or storage.

Correct answer: My body uses absorbed nutrients in its cells
Moderate
  • A. Poor chemical digestion of triglycerides
  • B. Failure to begin starch digestion in the mouth
  • C. Reduced breakdown of proteins in the stomach
  • D. Failure to absorb vitamin B12 in the ileum

Explanation: Pancreatic lipase chemically breaks triglycerides into absorbable fatty acids and monoglycerides.

Correct answer: Poor chemical digestion of triglycerides
  • A. Duodenum
  • B. Oesophagus
  • C. Rectum
  • D. Sigmoid colon

Explanation: The duodenum receives bile from the biliary tract and pancreatic secretions through ducts.

Correct answer: Duodenum
Easy
  • A. Rhythmic peristaltic contractions push the contents onward
  • B. The villi pull food directly into the bloodstream
  • C. Bile causes the intestine to contract as one solid tube
  • D. The pancreas pumps food through the intestinal wall

Explanation: Peristalsis consists of coordinated waves of smooth muscle contraction that propel contents through the alimentary canal.

Correct answer: Rhythmic peristaltic contractions push the contents onward
  • A. Mucosa
  • B. Submucosa
  • C. Muscularis externa
  • D. Serosa

Explanation: The muscularis externa contains inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers that move and mix intestinal contents.

Correct answer: Muscularis externa
  • A. Chief cells
  • B. Parietal cells
  • C. G cells
  • D. Goblet cells

Explanation: Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. Chief cells produce pepsinogen, G cells release gastrin, and goblet cells…

Correct answer: Parietal cells
Moderate
  • A. Secretin
  • B. Gastrin
  • C. Cholecystokinin
  • D. Somatostatin

Explanation: Cholecystokinin, or CCK, is released mainly in response to fats and amino acids in the duodenum.

Correct answer: Cholecystokinin
  • A. Pyloric sphincter
  • B. Ileocecal valve
  • C. Anal sphincter
  • D. Lower oesophageal sphincter

Explanation: The ileocecal valve lies between the ileum and caecum and helps prevent reflux of colonic contents into the small intestine.

Correct answer: Ileocecal valve
  • A. Hydrochloric acid
  • B. Intrinsic factor
  • C. Gastrin
  • D. Mucus

Explanation: Intrinsic factor is needed for vitamin B12 absorption in the terminal ileum.

Correct answer: Intrinsic factor
Moderate
  • A. Trypsin
  • B. Pancreatic amylase
  • C. Pancreatic lipase
  • D. Nuclease

Explanation: Enterokinase, also called enteropeptidase, activates trypsinogen to trypsin in the duodenum.

Correct answer: Trypsin
  • A. Caecum
  • B. Sigmoid colon
  • C. Rectum
  • D. Anal canal

Explanation: The rectum temporarily stores faeces before defecation. The sigmoid colon transports faecal material toward the rectum, and the anal canal…

Correct answer: Rectum
  • A. Soft palate
  • B. Uvula
  • C. Epiglottis
  • D. Vocal cord

Explanation: The epiglottis moves over the laryngeal opening during swallowing and helps direct food into the oesophagus.

Correct answer: Epiglottis
Fairly easy
  • A. Rapid emptying of the stomach
  • B. Delayed movement into the duodenum
  • C. Backflow from the colon into the ileum
  • D. Loss of bile production by the liver

Explanation: The pyloric sphincter regulates the passage of chyme from the stomach into the duodenum.

Correct answer: Delayed movement into the duodenum
  • A. Duodenum
  • B. Jejunum
  • C. Ileum
  • D. Caecum

Explanation: The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine and receives gastric chyme, bile, and pancreatic juice.

Correct answer: Duodenum