28: Digestive Wastes

Question 1

defecation reflex

Answer 1

Distension of the rectum by fecal material initiates this, Mass contractions along with contraction of the abdominal muscles and stiffening of the diaphragm by breath holding all contribute to the mass movement of fecal material

Question 2

feces

Answer 2

The average American adult passes about 130 grams of digestive waste daily, 75% of the stool is water (about 100 ml). Of the dry weight, about 30% is dead bacteria, 30% roughage indigestible by the human digestive system

Question 3

Fecal consistency

Answer 3

depends on water content. Normally, the feces should have the consistency of a ripe banana

Question 4

diarrhea

Answer 4

literally “flow-through”, too much water

Question 5

constipation

Answer 5

Too little water in the feces

Question 6

flatus

Answer 6

On the average, there is about 150 ml of gas, in the gastrointestinal tract. About a third of that amount is in the stomach; mostly swallowed air

Question 7

borborygmi

Answer 7

The back-and-forth motion of gas in the pylorus of the stomach and its passage through the pyloric sphincter causes gushing sounds

Question 8

megacolon

Answer 8

There are numerous accounts of people who have retained enormous masses of feces for months without suffering any serious effects other than the burden of carrying a colonic content of 60-100 pounds of fecaliths