Digestive System Flashcards by Jenna Skare

What is the purpose of the digestive system?

To get food and nutrients into the body and waste out

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How long is the typical digestion time?

1-2 days

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

When does the process of digestion begin?

Before you’ve eaten anything
The smell and sight of food causes oral and gastric secretions

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the phases of digestion?

Ingestion
Propulsion (movement)
Mechanical digestion (chewing, tearing, mixing)
Chemical digestion (enzymatic reactions)
Absorption
Defecation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Where does most of absorption happen?

Small intestines

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of the mouth?

Mechanically break down food into small pieces
Tongue mixes food with saliva (helps break down starches)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of the pharynx?

Begins swallowing
Forms bolus

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of the epiglottis?

To protect the trachea from food entering it

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the three phases of swallowing?

Oral phase
Pharyngeal phase
Esophageal phase

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of the esophagus?

Secrete mucous
Transport food from the throat to the stomach

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the muscle movement that the esophagus uses to get food to the stomach?

Peristalsis

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What happens when someone has achalasia?

The lower esophageal sphincter fails to open
Food has difficulty passing into the stomach

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of the stomach?

Mixes food with digestive juices that contain enzymes
Breaks down food
Acid in the stomach kills bacteria
Mechanical digestion (churn into chyme)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the 4 regions of the stomach?

Cardia, fundus, body, and pyloris

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the two sphincters of the stomach?

Lower esophageal and pyloric

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is the function of the small intestines?

Absorption of food

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the divisions of the small intestines?

Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

What are villi?

Straws or tubes used for absorption in the small intestines

What are on each villi?

Microvilli

What is diverticulitis?

Things that are hard to digest (seeds and berries) getting stuck in the villi

What is the function of the large intestines?

Reabsorption or water
Manufacture and absorb vitamins
Form feces

What are the structures of the large intestines?

Cecum, colon, rectum, and anus

What is the function of the pancreas?

Produce insulin and glucagon
Source of bicarbonate to neutralize gastric acid
Source of many digestive enzymes

Does the pH change from mouth al throughout the GI tract?

Yes

What is the function of the liver?

Metabolism, synthesis, and storage Bile synthesis

What is metabolism?

Changing something, breaking it down to be used or get rid of

What is the function of the gall bladder?

Stores bile until needed Enters duodenum through common bile duct

What are the two types of gall stones?

Calcium and cholesterol

What is crohn's disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Inflammation of digestive tract Abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, malnutrition

What is celiac's disease?

Autoimmune disorder Causes reaction to gluten Chronic diarrhea, abdominal distention, loss of appetite

What is cholera?

Bacterial disease spread through contaminated water Diarrhea and dehydration Can be fatal

What is jaundice?

Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes caused by increased amounts of bilirubin in the blood

What is bilirubin?

A substance created when RBCs break down

Is infant jaundice common?

Yes, for preterm babies and breast-fed babies Occurs because the infants liver is not mature enough to break down bilirubin

What is dysentery?

Gastroenteritis Bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, dehydration Deadly in elderly and young children

What is GERD?

Term interchangeable with heartburn and acid reflux

What is appendicitis?

Inflammation of the appendix Pain in lower right abdomen Most common in 10-30 year olds

Can a rupture of an appendix be life threatening?

Yes

Can jaundice cause hearing loss?

Yes The high levels of bilirubin can cause damage to the hair cell synapses

Is SNHL common in those with inflammatory bowel disease?

Yes It is related to an auto-immune problem