Chapter 13 Abdomen and GI System Flashcards
(140 cards)
The abdominal cavity is the largest cavity within the human body. It contains the?
stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, ureters, bladder, adrenal glands, and large vessels.
- in women the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries are located w/in the abdominal cavity
- lying outside the cavity is the esophagus
The peritoneum is a?
membrane that forms a protective cover over the abdominal cavity.
-two layers: parietal peritoneium and the visceral peritoneium
Parietal peritonium
lines abdominal wall
Visceral peritonium
covers organs
The main function of the alimentary tract is?
ingest and digest foods, absorb nutrients, and excrete waste.
-products of digestion are moved along the digestive tract by peristalsis, under the control of the autonomic nervous system
Adult alimentary tract extends?
27 feet (8.2 m)
Esophagus
10 inches (25.4 cm) long connecting the pharynx to stomach & extending posterior to trachea through the mediastinal cavity & diaphragm -usual pH is 6.0-8.0
Stomach
Hollow, flask-shaped, muscular organ located directly below diaphragm in LUQ
- contents from esophagus enter stomach through lower esophageal sphincter and mix w/digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid
- gastric acid continues breakdown of carbohydrates that began in mouth
- pepsin breaks down proteins, converting them to peptones and amino acids
- gastric lipase acts on emulsified fats to convert triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol
- stomach liquifies food into chyme & propels it into duodenum of small intestine
- pH 2.0-4.0
- pyloric sphincter regulates outflow of chyme into duodenum
Small intestine
longest section of alimentary tract
- 21 feet (6.4 m) long, beginning at pylori orifice and joining the large intestine at the ileocecal valve
- ingested food is mixed, digested, & absorbed
- 3 segments: duodenum, jejunum, ileum
- duodenum occupies first 1 foot (30 cm) & forms a C-shaped curve around head of pancreas
- absorption occurs through intestinal villi of duodenum, jejunum (8 feet [2.4 m] long), & ileum (12 feet [3.6 m] long)
- ileocecal valve between the ileum and large intestine prevents backward flow of fecal material
Large intestine (Colon) and Rectum
5 feet (1.5 m) long, consisting of cecum, appendix, colon, rectum, anal canal
- ileal contents empty into cecum through ileocecal valve; appendix extends from base of cecum
- colon divided into 3 parts: ascending, transverse, descending
- end of descending colon turns medially and inferiorly to form the S-shaped sigmoid colon
- rectum extends from sigmoid colon to pelvic floor, where it continues as the anal canal, terminating at anus
- large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes
- feces are formed in large intestine and held until defecation
Accessory organs of the GI tract?
Salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas
Liver
largest organ in the body (3.5 lbs) lying under the right diaphragm, spanning the UQ of the abdomen from the fifth intercostal space to slightly below the costal margin and has a variety of functions.
-Some of the functions of the liver include bile production and secretion; synthesis of most plasma proteins (albumin and globulin), carbohydrate, and fat metabolism; glucose storage; and production of clotting factors & fibrinogen,, and detoxification of a variety of substances including drugs and alcohol
The gallbladder is attached to the?
liver and concentrates/stores the bile that is produced in the liver.
- pear shaped sac, 3 inches (7.6 cm)
- cystic duct combines w/hepatic duct to form the common bile duct, which drains bile into the duodenum
- bile contained in feces creates the brown color
Pancreas
lies in upper left abdominal cavity, under the left lobe of the liver, behind the stomach
- has both endocrine and exocrine functions
- endocrine secretions include: release of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and gastrin for carbohydrate metabolism
- exocrine secretions contain bicarbonate & pancreatic enzymes that flow into the duodenum
- lipase breaks down fats, amylase breaks down carbohydrates, protease breaks down proteins for absorption
Spleen
Highly vascular, concave, encapsulated organ about the size of a fist, situated in ULQ
- two systems: white pulp (consisting of lymphatic nodules and diffuse lymphatic tissue) and red pulp (venous sinusoids)
- functions: removal of old or agglutinated erythrocytes and platelets and activation of B & T lymphocytes
The urinary tract is responsible for?
The removal of water-soluble wastes. The urinary tract is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
Kidneys
Located posterior abdominal cavity on either side at the spinal levels T12 through L3
- partially protected by ribs and a cushion of fat and fascia
- R kidney slightly lower than L kidney
- functions: secretion of erythropoietin to stimulate RBC production & production of a biologically active form of vitamin D
- nephron regulates fluid & electrolyte balance through filter and pressure system that produces urine
Ureters
Long, intertwining muscle bundles that extend for approximately 12 inches (30 cm) to insertion points at base of bladder
Some chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus may affect the GI or urinary systems. Diseases such as?
chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis may impair the ability of the liver to metabolize nutrients and drugs
Because drugs are metabolized in the liver, they may not be metabolized well in patients with liver diseases, which causes?
increased blood levels of these drugs
Patients who have had bariatric procedures for weight loss or gastrectomies ay have changed the?
Foods they eat and the amount and frequency of meals
Patients may have a colostomy or an ileostomy after surgery for such disorders as?
Colon cancer or ulcerative colitis
Patients who have had bladder cancer may have an?
Ileal conduit as an alternative route for urine excretion
Stress incontinence is?
The most common type & is characterized by involuntary loss of small amounts of urine during physical exertion such as coughing, sneezing, jogging, and lifting
-many women with urinary stress incontinence can be diagnosed from the history data alone