Digestive System

Question 1

Overview of the Digestive System

Answer 1

Function: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
Major Organs: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine.
Accessory Organs: Liver, pancreas, gallbladder.

Question 2

Steps of the Digestive

Answer 2

Ingestion: Taking in food via the mouth.
Digestion: Mechanical (chewing, churning) and chemical (enzymes) breakdown of food.
Absorption: Nutrient molecules enter the bloodstream.
Elimination: Expulsion of indigestible components as feces.

Question 3

Anatomy of the Stomach

Answer 3

Regions:
- Fundus
- Body
- Pylorus

Functions: Stores food, secretes gastric juices (HCl, enzymes), and churns food into chyme.

Sphincters:
- Lower Esophageal Sphincter: Prevents acid reflux.
- Pyloric Sphincter: Regulates chyme release into the small intestine.

Question 4

Small Intestine Structure

Answer 4

Divisions:
- Duodenum: Receives bile and pancreatic enzymes; site of most digestion.
- Jejunum: Major site of nutrient absorption.
- Ileum: Absorbs remaining nutrients and vitamin B12.

Villi and Microvilli: Increase surface area for absorption.

Question 5

Anatomy of the Large Intestine

Answer 5

Regions:
- Cecum (with appendix)
- Colon (ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid)
- Rectum
- Anal Canal

Functions: Absorbs water, electrolytes, and vitamins; forms and stores feces.

Question 6

Liver and Its Functions

Answer 6

Location: Upper right quadrant of the abdomen.

Functions:
- Produces bile to emulsify fats.
- Detoxifies blood.
- Stores glycogen and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
- Produces proteins (e.g., albumin, clotting factors).

Question 7

Gallbladder

Answer 7

Location: Under the liver.
Function: Stores and concentrates bile.
Bile Release: Empties bile into the duodenum via the common bile duct to aid fat digestion.

Question 8

Pancreas

Answer 8

Location: Behind the stomach.
Exocrine Function: Secretes digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase, proteases) into the duodenum.
Endocrine Function: Produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels.

Question 9

Enzymes Involved in Digestion

Answer 9

Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates.
Lipase: Breaks down fats.
Protease (e.g., trypsin): Breaks down proteins.
Lactase: Breaks down lactose in dairy products.

Question 10

Digestive Hormones

Answer 10

Gastrin: Stimulates gastric acid secretion.
Cholecystokinin (CCK): Stimulates bile and pancreatic enzyme release.
Secretin: Stimulates bicarbonate release from the pancreas to neutralize stomach acid in the duodenum.

Question 11

Absorption of Nutrients

Answer 11

Carbohydrates: Absorbed as monosaccharides in the small intestine.
Proteins: Absorbed as amino acids and small peptides.
Fats: Absorbed as fatty acids and glycerol, reassembled into chylomicrons and transported via the lymphatic system.
Vitamins and Minerals: Absorbed throughout the small intestine, especially in the jejunum and ileum.

Question 12

Common Digestive Disorders

Answer 12

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): Acid reflux into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sores in the stomach or duodenum lining due to excess acid or H. pylori infection.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A functional disorder with symptoms of cramping, bloating, and diarrhea/constipation.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, involving chronic inflammation of the GI tract.

Question 13

Gastrointestinal Assessment

Answer 13

History Taking: Inquire about diet, bowel habits, abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting.
Physical Exam: Inspect, auscultate, palpate, and percuss the abdomen.
Diagnostic Tests: Blood tests, endoscopy, colonoscopy, stool analysis, imaging (e.g., CT, MRI).

Question 14

Peptic Ulcer Disease Management

Answer 14

Causes: H. pylori infection, NSAID use, stress.
Symptoms: Burning stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting.
Treatment: Antibiotics for H. pylori, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), lifestyle changes (avoid spicy foods, smoking, alcohol).

Question 15

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Answer 15

Tests Include:
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
- Bilirubin levels

Purpose: Assess liver function, detect liver damage, or bile duct blockages.

Question 16

Management of Constipation

Answer 16

Causes: Lack of fiber, dehydration, inactivity, certain medications.
Symptoms: Infrequent bowel movements, straining, hard stools.
Treatment: Increase fiber intake, hydration, exercise, use of laxatives if necessary.

Question 17

Management of Diarrhea

Answer 17

Causes: Infection (bacterial, viral), food intolerance, medications (e.g., antibiotics), IBS.
Symptoms: Frequent loose stools, abdominal cramps, dehydration.
Treatment: Rehydration (oral rehydration salts), antidiarrheal medications, dietary adjustments (e.g., BRAT diet).

Question 18

Jaundice

Answer 18

Definition: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels.
Causes: Liver dysfunction, bile duct obstruction, hemolysis.
Symptoms: Yellow skin/eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching.
Treatment: Depends on underlying cause (e.g., surgery for obstruction, medications for liver disease).

Question 19

Hepatitis Overview

Answer 19

Definition: Inflammation of the liver.

Types:
- Hepatitis A: Spread via contaminated food/water.
- Hepatitis B and C: Spread through blood and body fluids; can become chronic.

Symptoms: Fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea.

Prevention: Vaccination (Hep A and B), avoid sharing needles, safe sex practices.

Question 20

Nutrition and the Digestive System

Answer 20

Balanced Diet: Essential for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Fiber: Important for maintaining bowel regularity and preventing constipation.
Hydration: Necessary for digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Digestive Health: Eat small, frequent meals, chew thoroughly, avoid excessive fatty/spicy foods.