Digestive System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Digestive system also referred to as?

A

The gastrointestinal system

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2
Q

What is the Digestive system responsible for?

A

-changing food and nutrients into waste

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3
Q

What are Digestive Enzymes?

A

-chemicals that break down food and nutrients into smaller forms so that the body can absorb them

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4
Q

What are the functions of the digestive system?

A
  1. Ingestion
  2. Digestion
  3. Absorption
  4. Elimination
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5
Q

Describe the Ingestion function of the digestive system:

A
  • process of taking food in, chewing, and dissolving it in the mouth
  • This forms a soft ball (bonus) in preparation for digestion
  • this process utilizes the structures of the lips, teeth, face muscles, saliva, tongue, and pharynx
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6
Q

Describe the Digestion function of the digestive system:

A

-bolus enters the stomach & goes through 2 different digestion processes
—1. Mechanical: 3 layers of smooth muscle within the stomach wall enable the stomach to contract in many directions mashing the food
—2.Chemical: Brain sends messages to the gastric glands in the stomach wall stimulating them to secrete gastric juices such as PEPSIN

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7
Q

Describe the Absorption function of the digestive system:

A

-Glucose and amino acids are absorbed by active transport after combining with a carrier molecule.
—these nutrient enter the blood through capillaries in the villi and are transported to the liver
-Fatty acids and monoglycerides are absorbed into the epithelial cells of the intestinal lining
—there they are reassembled into triglycerides and packaged as and finally they pass into the villi

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8
Q

Describe the Elimination function of the digestive system:

A

-The removal of indigestible foods and other wastes materials referred to as FECES from the body
-When feces arrive at the rectum, DEFECATION is stimulated through PERISTALSIS
—This process takes several hours depending on the quality of food and health of the digestive tract

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9
Q

What are the 4 Primary organs of the digestive system?

A
  1. Mouth
  2. Stomach
  3. Small intestines
  4. Large intestines

Many stars shine longtime

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10
Q

Describe the Mouth (mastication and deglutition) (chewing and swallowing) step of digestive system

A
  • Food enters the system at the mouth and is chewed by the teeth to break it up into smaller amounts so that it can be swallowed and digested
  • the SALIVARY GLANDS produce saliva which contains enzymes that start to break down the food
  • The food then is swallowed and moves down into the esophagus (throat)
  • the EPIGLOTTIS is a small flap of tissue that covers the trachea (windpipe) to prevent food from entering and going into the lungs
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11
Q

Describe the stomach (gastric digestion) step of the digestive system

A
  • It is a food reservoir and the first MAJOR site of digestion
  • digestive glands in the stomach produce pepsin and hydrochloride acid which turn the food into a semi liquid called CHYME
  • food leaves the stomach and enters into the small intestine
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12
Q

Where is the stomach located?

A

-in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity

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13
Q

Describe the small intestines step of the digestive system:

A
  • about 90% of absorption of nutrients occurs here
  • Villi, which line the intestines and contain capillaries, absorb the nutrients
  • The remaining 10% takes place in the large intestine and in the stomach
  • Peristaltic movements are what move food through the small intestine
  • the walls of the intestine contract and relax to create segmental waves that push the food through the intestines
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14
Q

What is the small intestine?

A

A coiled, 20 foot long tube consisting of 3 parts:

  1. Duodenum
  2. Jejunum
  3. ileum
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15
Q

Describe the large intestine of the digestive system (Also known as the bowel)

A

-extends from the small intestine to the anus.
-it joins the small intestine at the ILEOCECAL VALVE
—This valve closes after food has passed through it to prevent back up of material from the bowel

-the APPENDIX is attached to the caecum
—located in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen
-believed to serve no purpose in the digestive system but problems arise if inflamed or infected

  • the large intestine starts at he right lower quadrant, runs superiorly (ASCENDING COLON), crosses the abdominal cavity as the TRANSVERSE COLON and then runs inferiorly down the left side of the abdominal cavity as the DESCENDING COLON
  • in the medial lower abdomen it becomes the RECTUM which leads to the external opening called the anus

-Food is stored in the large intestine until it is expelled by DEFECATION
-defecation is controlled by two sphincters
—The internal sphincter is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, as is the rest of the digestive system (this means that a person has no conscious control over their digestive system)
—The EXTERNAL SPHINCTER is controlled by the somatic nervous system and is under voluntary control

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16
Q

What are the accessory organs of digestion?

A
  1. Liver
  2. Gallbladder
  3. Pancreas
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17
Q

Where is the liver located?

A
  • largest and one of the most complex visceral organs in the body
  • lying in the upper right side of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm
  • located below the diaphragm in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, mostly under the ribs
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18
Q

The liver is capable of numerous complex & diverse actions, which include:

A
  • Secretes BILE, which is important in the digestion of fat
  • converts excess glucose to glycogen and stores it then releases glucose into the blood when it is needed
  • Performs many important functions in the metabolism of proteins, fats & carbohydrates
  • manufactures many of the plasma proteins found in the blood (clotting factor)
  • detoxifies many drugs and poisons that enter the body
  • breaks down bacteria and filters worn-out red blood cells
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19
Q

What does the liver store?

A

-stores iron and certain vitamins

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20
Q

What does the liver convert?

A

-converts amino acids to fatty acids and urea

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21
Q

What is synthesized and stored in the liver?

A

Cholesterol and Vitamin D

22
Q

Where is the GALLBLADDER located?

A
  • pear shaped organ

- situated under the liver and anterior to the duodenum.

23
Q

What is BILE

A

-a watery fluid which consists of salts and pigments
-produced by the liver and sent to the gallbladder through the bile ducts
-

24
Q

What does the gallbladder do for the digestive system?

A
  • stores and concentrates bile ready for transport to the duodenum via the cystic and bile ducts
  • once digestion is complete, bile is extracted by the ileum and also the large intestine and returned to the liver
25
Q

Where is the pancreas located?

A

-PANCREAS is a large elongated gland that lies in the abdomen below the stomach with its head nestles in the curve of the duodenum

26
Q

Describe the pancreas of the digestive system:

A
  • both an exocrine (digestive system) and an endocrine (endocrine system) gland.
  • It’s endocrine portion secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon
  • It’s exocrine part secretes PANCREATIC JUICES, an alkaline fluid containing a number of digestive enzymes that chemically digest proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates
  • in general, secretion of digestive juices is stimulated by the presence of chyme and by hormones
  • food is slowly digested as it moves along the digestive tract
27
Q

Describe how carbohydrates are digested with the pancreas:

A
  • Carbohydrate digestion starts in the mouth, where salivary amylase breaks down starches to dextrin and maltose
  • in the duodenum pancreatic AMYLASE continues the digestion of carbohydrates to maltose
28
Q

Which enzymes are secreted by the pancreas and what is their purpose?

A

TRYPSIN- breaks down protein
AMYLASE- breaks down starch
LIPASE- breaks down fats

29
Q

What are Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting? (Pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • physiological responses that are common to many digestive disorders
  • they are protective responses to the extent that they signal the presence of disease and, in the case of vomiting, remove noxious substances from the system
30
Q

Describe Anorexia (pathologies of the digestive system)

A

Represents a loss of appetite

31
Q

Describe Nausea (pathologies of the digestive system)

A

-an unpleasant sensation often accompanied by pallor, sweating and rapid heart beat

32
Q

Describe Vomiting (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • also called emesis

- the sudden and forceful oral expulsion of the contents of the stomach

33
Q

What does reflux mean? (Esophageal reflux disease) (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • The term reflux refers to backward or return movement*

* refers to the backward movement of stomach contents into the esophagus, a condition that causes heartburn*

34
Q

What causes reflux? (Esophageal reflux disease) (pathologies of the digestive system)

A

-it is thought to be caused by a weak of incompetent lower esophageal sphincter that allows reflux to occur

35
Q

When is reflux most common? (Esophageal reflux disease) (pathologies of the digestive system)

A

Most common 30-60 minutes after eating and is worse if lying down or bending at the waist

36
Q

How is reflux usually treated? (Esophageal reflux disease) (pathologies of the digestive system)

A

Usually treated with anti-acids and the person is advised not to overeat, to avoid tight clothing at the waist and to not lie down after a meal

37
Q

What is Gastritis? (Pathologies of the digestive system)

A

-refers to inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach

38
Q

What is acute gastritis?

A
  • usually caused by local irritants such as bacteria, alcohol, caffeine and aspirin
  • may cause vomiting and possibly bleeding
39
Q

What is chronic gastritis?

A

-an ongoing problem usually resulting from alcohol abuse, cigarettes, or chronic use of anti inflammatory medication (NSAIDS)

40
Q

What are Ulcers (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • Peptic ulcer is a term used to describe ulcerative disorders that occur in the upper digestive tract (stomach and small intestine) the area exposed to acids-pepsin secretions
  • this causes pain and discomfort which is described as burning, gnawing or cramp like and often occurs when the stomach is empty
  • the pain is relieved by food or antacids
  • complications include bleeding or perforation
41
Q

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (pathologies of the digestive system)?

A
  • this term describes a disorder characterized by the recurrent intestinal symptoms not explained by structural abnormalities
  • persistent or recurrent abdominal pain, gas, alternating diarrhea and constipation over a period of more than three months
  • it is usually recommended that the client avoid fatty and gassy foods, alcohol, and caffeine and stressful situations
42
Q

What is inflammatory bowel disease? (Pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  1. Ulcerative colitis
  2. Crohn’s disease

-both produce inflammation of the blower without any known cause and both ten to occur in families

43
Q

What is Crohn’s disease? (Inflammatory bowel disease) (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • can affect any area of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus
  • in 40% of cases the lesions are in the small intestines; in 30% of cases the lesions are in both small and large intestines
  • it consists of granulomatous lesions that’s are surrounded by normal appearing tissue
  • the symptoms are diarrhea, cramping pain, usually in the lower right quadrant, weight loss. Fluid and electrolyte disorders and low grade fever
  • the intestine may not be able to absorb nutrients and deficiencies may occur
  • often periods where symptoms decrease and then flare up
44
Q

What is ulcerative colitis? (Inflammatory bowel disease) (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • inflammation of the colon only
  • main symptom is diarrhea which may occur many times a day
  • lack of appetite, weakness and fatigue are common
  • symptoms may decrease and flare up
45
Q

What is Appendicitis? (Pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • acute appendicitis is extremely common and usually occurs in children or young adults but can occur at any age
  • appendix becomes inflamed, swollen and gangrenous and it eventually perforates (opens or bursts) if not treated
  • causes is unkown but thought to be related to obstruction by hardened fecal matter
  • appendicitis usually has a sudden onset with pain the the abdomen area, and nausea
  • after a few hours the pain becomes localized to the right lower quadrant, which is usually tender to the touch and person may have low grade fever
  • treatment consists of immediate surgical removal of the appendix
  • if not removed, complications can occur and become life-threatening
46
Q

What is Diarrhea? (Pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • excessively frequent passage of stools
  • it can be acute or chronic
  • can be related to a number of problems
  • Diarrhea that lasts more than 4 days is usually caused by the flu or other common illness and clears up on its own
  • Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 to 4 weeks is usually a result of one of the inflammatory conditions
47
Q

Describe Constipation (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • the infrequent passage of stools
  • can occur as a primary problem or a problem associated with another disease or condition
  • common causes are: inadequate fibre in the diet, inadequate fluid intake, inactivity or bed rest, failure to respond to the urge to defecate or hemorrhoids
  • some medications cause constipation, particularly painkillers and anti-acid medications
48
Q

What is Celiac disease? (Pathologies of digestive system)

A
  • intolerance to gluten
  • gluten= protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, oats and barley
  • gluten intolerant person is unable to cope with gluten in the diet
  • symptoms= diarrhea, floating, flatulence and abdominal pain
  • if intake of gluten is continued there may be weakness, muscle wasting and fatigue due to lack of absorption of nutrients
49
Q

What are Hemorrhoids (piles) (pathologies of the digestive tract)

A
  • Swollen, tortuous veins in the rectum or anus
  • may be internal or external
  • The first symptoms are usually itching and bleeding
  • The blood is bright red
  • causes: straining during defecation, dampness, standing for long periods of time
50
Q

Describe Allergies (pathologies of the digestive system)

A
  • allergies to foods and additives are very common
  • spa therapists should check with clients before offering them any food or drinks
  • make sure to now the ingredients contained in products as some clients may have life-threatening allergies
51
Q

What is cancer? (Pathologies of the digestive system)

A

-can be found at any location in the digestive system, from the esophagus to the intestines, to the rectum