Digestive System
Alternate name for the gastrointestinal system. Also know as the digestive tract.
Alimentary Canal
Alternate name for the gastrointestinal system
Gastrointestinal System
Body system that includes the salivary glands, oral cavity(teeth, gums, palate, and tongue), pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small & large intestines, and the accessory organs of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.
Function: to digest food, absorb nutrients into the blood, and remove undigested from the body.
Also known as: gastrointestinal tract, alimentary canal, & digestive tract/system
Deglutition
Process of swallowing food
Gustatory Cortex
Are of brain that receives and interprets tastes from the tongue
Mastication
Process of chewing. Part of the mechanical digestion
Mucosa
Mucous membrane that lines the gastrointestinal system and produces mucus.
Oral Cavity
Mouth, hollow area that contains hard palate, soft palate, uvula, tongue, gums, and teeth
Palate
Hard bone, and posterior soft tissues that form the roof of the mouth
Pharynx
Throat. Passageway for both food and inhaled/exhaled air
Salivary Glands
3 pairs of glands(parotid, submandibular, and sublingual). Secrete salvia into the mouth. Saliva is a watery substance, contains digestive enzyme amylase.
Tongue
Large muscle that fills oral cavity and assists w/ eating and talking. Contains receptors for the sense of taste.
Uvula
Fleshy hanging part of soft palate. Plays role in speech. During swallowing, it initiates the gag reflex to prevent food from entering the pharynx before the epiglottis closes over the larynx.
Cardia
First part of stomach, inferior to the esophagus
Chyme
Combo of partially digested food, saliva, & digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine
Esophagus
Flexible , muscular tube that moves the food from pharynx to the stomach.
Liver
Large dark brown organ. Located in upper abdomen.
Hapatocytes
Liver cells. Cell of the liver. Continuously produce bile(yellow green, bitter tasting, thick fluid).
Bilirubin
Substance of bile from old red blood cells.
Biliverdin
Green pigment. Substance in bile.
Bile Ducts
Ducts from the liver and gallbladder that carry bile.
Biliary Tree
All of the ducts in the liver and gallbladder that carry bile.
Pancreas
Yellow. Accessory organ of digestion that produces enzymes(amylase, lipase).
Digestion
Begins in oral cavity. Breaks down or digests food.
Anorexia
Decreased appetite because of disease or gastrointestinal side affects of a drug.
Dysphagia
Difficult or painful eating or swallowing. Stroke can make it difficult to coordinate the muscles for eating and swallowing. An oral infection, poorly fitted dentures, or radiation therapy to the mouth for cancer can cause painful eating.
Polyphagia
Excessive overeating due to an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, mellitus, or a psychiatric illness.
Cheilitis
Inflammation and cracking of the lips and corners if the mouth due to infection, allergies, or a nutritional deficiency.
Sialolithiasis
A stone that forms in the salivary gland and becomes lodged in the duct, blocking flow of saliva. Salivary gland, mouth and face become swollen. When salivary gland contracts, the duct spasms, causing pain.
Albumin
Protein molecule in the blood.
Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)
An enzyme in liver cells.
ALT & AST
Test for the enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) which are mostly found in the liver.
Bilirubin
A substance of bile from old red blood cells.
GGT
Test for the enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, which is mostly mainly found in the liver.
Liver Function Tests(LFTs)
Panel of individual blood tests performed at same time to give a comprehensive picture of liver function. Includes albumin, bilirubin, ALT, AST, GGT, and prothrombin time(to evaluate blood clotting factors produced by the liver).
CLO Test
Rapid screening test to detect the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. A biopsy of the patients gastric mucosa is placed in urea.
Culture & Sensitivity (C&S)
Test that uses a culture to determine which bacterium is causing an intestinal infection and a sensitivity test to determine which antibiotic drugs it is sensitive to. Patients feces are swabbed onto a culture dish that contains a nutrient medium for growing bacteria.
Nasogastric Tube
Tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach. Used to drain secretions from the stomach, take a sample of gastric acid, or give feelings or drugs to the patient on a temporary basis.
Abdominocentesis
Procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen using a needle and a vacuum container. Relieves abdominal pressure from fluid produced by ascites. Also done to see if there are cancer cells in the peritoneal fluid after abdominal trauma.
Appendectomy
Procedure to remove the appendix because of appendicitis.
Biopsy
Process of removing and then viewing living tissue removed from the body. Remove from an ulcer, polyp, mass, or tumor.
Bowel Resection and Anastomosis
Procedure to remove a section of diseased intestine and rejoin the intestine. An end to end anastomosis joins the two cut ends together. An end to side Anastomosis joins one end to the side of another segment.
Antacid drugs
Drug that is against excess acid in the stomach. For heartburn.
- Rolaids
- Maalox
- Mylanta
- Tums
Antibiotic Drugs
Drug used against vomiting. Against living organisms.
- Amoxicillin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Doxycycline
- Helidac
Antidiarrheal Drugs
Used to treat diarrhea. Slows peristalsis and increases water absorption from the feces.
- Loperamide
- Lomotil
Antiemetic Drugs
Treats nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.
- Dimenhydrinate
- Meclizene
Gallstone Drugs
Dissolves gallstones, instead of surgical removal.
- Chenodiol
- Ursodiol
H2 Blocker drugs
Treat peptic ulcers by blocking H2(Histamine 2) receptors in the stomach that trigger the release of hydrochloric acid.
- Cimetidine
- Famotidine
- Ranitidine
Laxative Drugs
Treats constipation by softening poop, adding dietary fiber, or directly stimulating the intestinal mucosa.
- Bisacodyl
- Docusate
- Psyllium
Proton pump inhibitor drugs
Treats heartburn, peptic ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by blocking the final step in production of hydrochloric acid.
- Esomeprazole
- Omeprazole
Suppository
Bullet shaped capsule that contains a drug. Inserted into rectum where it melts and releases the drug.