Digestive System Flashcards
What does the digestive system do?
Ingestion
Digestion
Absorption
Elimination
Name all of the parts of the digestive system
Mouth
Pharynx
Oesophagus
Stomach
Duodenum
Jejunum
Ileum
Caecum
Colon
Rectum
Anus
Name the accessory organs
Salivary glands (3 pairs)
Liver
Gall Bladder
Pancreas
What are intestinal secretions?
Main constituents are water, mucus and mineral salts. Peptidase breakdown polypeptides into smaller peptides and amino acids. Lipase emulsifies fats to fatty acids and glycerol. Sucrase, maltase and lactase complete digestion of carbohydrates
What do the accessory organs do?
Aid the processes of ingestion, digestion and absorption
What are the causes of increased appetite and thirst?
Appetite may be promoted by several hormones including leptin. Leptin usually suppresses food intake but in pregnancy, leptin levels increase. In advanced pregnancy, both appetite ad capacity for food intake decline owing to upward gastric displacement and pressure from the gravid uterus.
Explain food craving and aversions.
The sensitivity of taste buds is dulled in pregnancy and so highly seasoned foods are more appreciated. Common aversions such as tea, coffee, meat, fried foods and eggs, alcohol and smoking. Pica, an extreme craving for non- nutritious substance, e.g. soap, toothpaste, ice, coal
What changes does the mouth go through during pregnancy?
The gums become oedematous, soft and spongy during pregnancy. Probably due to the effect of oestrogen, which may lead to bleeding. Gingivitis occurs as food debris and calcified dental plaque collect in the minute space between tooth and the gum, causing irritation and inflammation.
Why do women experience heartburn during pregnancy?
Why do women experience nausea and vomiting?
Women may experience symptoms throughout the day or in the evening, Unclear etiology. Due to rising levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) during pregnancy.
Why do women experience abdominal bloating and distension?
It’s the effect of progesterone combined with the pressure of the gravid uterus on the rectrosigmoid colon. Decreases the motility of the small intestine and colon. Increased transit time in the second and third trimesters.
Explain why women experience constipation?
May be the result of progesterone levels in pregnancy, causing reduction in gastric motility and increased gastric transit time. It may be associated with the poor dietary fibre intake and may cause abdominal discomfort and pain during defecation. May be a predisposing factor for haemorrhoids.
What are haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids are swollen veins at or near the anus. unclear etiology, but predisposing factors include history of constipation, a low fibre and low fluid diet and bowel disease.
What are common changes in the gall bladder?
Progesterone affects the smooth tone of the gallbladder resulting in reduced muscle tone, increased bile volume storage and decreased emptying rate. This promotes bile stasis an increases concentrated bile content which can predispose to physiological cholestasis and pruitis.
What are the changes in the liver?
Liver size is unchanged but the third trimester it is forced into a more superior posterior position to the right. Increased hepatic perfusion after 26 weeks gestation is due to the increase in portal venous return
