Digestive system

Question 1

What are the six digestive system processes?

Answer 1

• Motility
• Secretion
• Digestion
• Absorption
• Elimination
• Ingestion

Question 2

Name the four layers of the digestive tract.

Answer 2

• Mucosa
• Submucosa
• Muscularis
• Serosa

Question 3

What are the primary organs of the digestive system?

Answer 3

• Mouth
• Pharynx
• Oesophagus
• Stomach
• Small Intestine
• Large Intestine

Question 4

What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?

Answer 4

• Teeth
• Tongue
• Gallbladder
• Salivary glands
• Liver
• Pancreas

Question 5

What is the function of saliva?

Answer 5

• Soften food
• Moisten food
• Dissolve food
• Clean mouth and teeth

Question 6

What is chyme?

Answer 6

A creamy paste formed in the stomach after food is mixed with gastric juices.

Question 7

What is the pH of the stomach?

Answer 7

2

Question 8

True or False: The mucosa of the stomach has longitudinal folds called rugae.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What are the three layers of muscle in the stomach responsible for?

Answer 9

Compressing, kneading, and mixing food.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The stomach secretes _______ to protect its wall from gastric acid.

Answer 10

Mucus

Question 11

What is the primary role of the small intestine?

Answer 11

Most digestion and absorption occurs here.

Question 12

Name the three portions of the small intestine.

Answer 12

• Duodenum
• Jejunum
• Ileum

Question 13

What are the four structural features of the small intestine that increase surface area?

Answer 13

• Circular folds
• Villi
• Microvilli
• Length of the small intestine

Question 14

What is peritonitis?

Answer 14

Acute inflammation and infection of the peritoneum.

Question 15

What causes dental caries?

Answer 15

Plaque laid down by bacteria.

Question 16

What is the function of the large intestine?

Answer 16

• Formation of faeces
• Absorption of water, ions, and vitamins
• Movement of contents to the rectum

Question 17

What is appendicitis?

Answer 17

Acute inflammation of the appendix due to blockage.

Question 18

What is the role of the gallbladder in digestion?

Answer 18

Stores and concentrates bile.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: _______ is the process of moving digested nutrients through the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Answer 19

Absorption

Question 20

What are the two key membrane types found in the body?

Answer 20

• Mucous membranes
• Serous membranes

Question 21

What is the function of the peritoneum?

Answer 21

Covers organs within the abdominal cavity and reduces friction.

Question 22

True or False: The oesophagus has the same mucous barrier as the stomach.

Answer 22

False

Question 23

What happens during vomiting?

Answer 23

Forcible expulsion of contents from the stomach.

Question 24

What is the role of salivary amylase?

Answer 24

Digests starch to maltose.

Question 25

What are taste buds responsible for?

Answer 25

Detecting different tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, umami.

Question 26

What is halitosis?

Answer 26

Bad breath.

Question 27

What is dysphagia?

Answer 27

Difficulty swallowing.

Question 28

What is the main cause of peptic ulcer disease?

Answer 28

Gastric acid erosion of the mucous membrane.

Question 29

Fill in the blank: The _______ sphincter controls the passage of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine.

Answer 29

Pyloric

Question 30

What is the role of hormones in the digestive system?

Answer 30

Digestive secretions and motility are controlled and coordinated by at least 13 hormones activated by the presence of food in an organ. ## Footnote Hormones stimulate production of digestive secretions and motility, with negative feedback mechanisms shutting down secretion once digestion is complete.

Question 31

What hormone is produced in response to fatty acids and amino acids in the duodenum?

Answer 31

Cholecystokinin ## Footnote This hormone stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release bile to emulsify fats.

Question 32

What system controls gastric secretions and motility alongside hormonal control?

Answer 32

Enteric nervous system ## Footnote It can be overridden by the sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the autonomic nervous system.

Question 33

Which nerve supplies parasympathetic fibers to most of the GI tract?

Answer 33

Vagus nerve (CN X) ## Footnote It stimulates digestive secretions and motility.

Question 34

What triggers the gastroileal reflex?

Answer 34

Distension of the stomach ## Footnote It intensifies peristalsis in the small intestine, moving chyme into the caecum.

Question 35

What does the gastrocolic reflex stimulate?

Answer 35

Mass peristalsis in the colon ## Footnote This reflex occurs during or after a meal and drives feces into the rectum.

Question 36

What is the defecation reflex?

Answer 36

A reflex action aided by voluntary contractions of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles ## Footnote It allows for the elimination of feces.

Question 37

What initiates the defecation reflex?

Answer 37

Distension of the rectum ## Footnote This stimulates stretch receptors in the rectal wall.

Question 38

Where is the control center for the defecation reflex located?

Answer 38

Sacral spinal cord ## Footnote This center coordinates the reflex action for elimination of feces.

Question 39

What are the effects of aging on the digestive system?

Answer 39

* Decreased gustation and olfaction * Altered dental function * Decreased secretion of digestive enzymes * Decreased motility and loss of smooth muscle tone * Increased risk of constipation * Altered voluntary control of external anal sphincter * Decreased neural and hormonal control ## Footnote These changes can lead to reduced appetite, delayed passage of chyme and feces, and fecal incontinence.

Question 40

True or False: The external anal sphincter is under voluntary control.

Answer 40

True ## Footnote This control allows for postponing defecation, except in infants.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: The _______ reflex stimulates mass peristalsis in the colon.

Answer 41

Gastrocolic ## Footnote This reflex is initiated when the stomach is distended.

Question 42

What happens if there is insufficient bulk or lack of feces during the defecation reflex?

Answer 42

The reflex will not occur ## Footnote This can lead to complications in elimination.