Chapter 3 Flashcards
Mucosa
Mucous membrane that produces thin mucus. It lines the oral cavity and the entire gastrointestinal system.
Tongue
Large muscle that fills the oral cavity and assists with eating and talking, as it mixes food particles with saliva.
Palate
Roof of Mouth. Hard palate (bone) and soft palate (posterior soft tissue) form the roof of the oral cavity. The soft palate ends in the fleshy hanging uvula. The soft palate senses food particles in the posterior oral cavity just before they are swallowed.
Pharynx
Throat. A passageway for food particles and air. It is between the oral cavity and the esophagus. INCLUDES: Nasopharynx (posterior to nasal cavity) Oropharynx (posterior to oral cavity Laryngopharynx (posterior to larynx)
Oral Cavity
The gastrointestinal system begins in the mouth or oral cavity
Lined with mucosa
Contains the teeth, gums, tongue, hard palate, and soft palate.
Alimentary Canal
Another name for the gastrointestinal system
Digestive system
Another name for the gastrointestinal system.
AKA digestive tract.
Gastrointestinal (GI) system
The structures of the gastrointestinal system include the oral cavity (teeth, gums, tongue, hard palate, soft palate), salivary glands (parotid, sublingual, submandibular), pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, anus, and the accessory organs.
Larynx
Structure below the pharynx. It is closed during swallowing when muscles in the neck pull it up to the epiglottis, a lid-like structure, so that swallowed food particles go into the esophagus and stomach.
Cardia
First part of the stomach where the stomach joins the esophagus.
Chyme
Semisolid mixture of food particles, saliva, and digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine.
Esophagus
Flexible tube approximately 10 inches in length that connects the pharynx to the stomach. It contains the lower esophageal sphincter.
Fundus
Rounded, top part of the stomach
Lower esophageal sphincter
Muscular ring at the distal end of the stomach. It closes to keep chyme in the stomach or opens to let chyme flow into the duodenum.
Pyloric Sphincter
Muscular ring at the distal end of the stomach. It closes to keep chyme in the stomach or opens to let chyme flow into duodenum.
Pylorus
Narrowed, last part of the stomach where it joins the duodenum. It contains the pyloric sphincter.
Rugae
Thick, deep folds in the gastric mucosa that expand to accommodate a large amount of swallowed food particles.
Stomach
Large, elongated sac in the upper abdominal cavity. It is between the esophagus and the small intestine.
Anus
External opening of the rectum. The anal sphincter is under voluntary control.
Appendix
Long, thin pouch on the exterior wall of the cecum. It contains lymphoid tissue and is part of the immune response; it does not play a role in digestion.
Cecum
Short sac that is the first part of the large intestine.
The appendix is attached to the cecum’s external wall.
Colon
Second and longest part of the large intestine. It includes the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon.
Ascending colon -> Transverse colon -> descending colon -> sigmoid colon
Duodenum
The 10-inch, C-Shaped, first part of the small intestine. It is between the stomach and the jejunum.
Ileum
Third and final part of the small intestine. It is 12 feet long and is located between the jejunum and the cecum of the large intestine.
Jejunum
Second part of the small intestine. It is an 8-foot coiled segment between the duodenum and the ileum.
Haustra
Puckered pouches in the intestinal wall that expand to receive large amounts of waste materials.
Large intestine
Large, tubular structure in the abdominopelvic cavity. It is about 5 feet in length and is located between the small intestine and the anus. The large intestine includes the cecum, colon, rectum, and anus.
AKA Large Bowel
Lumen
Central, open area inside a tubular structure such as the esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine.
Rectum
Short, straight segment that is the last part of the large intestine. Between the sigmoid colon and the outside of the body.
Small intestine
Long, tubular structure in the abdominopelvic cavity. Between stomach and large intestine.
Villi
Thousands of microscopic, thin structures in the mucosa that project into the lumen of the small intestine.
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Continuous cavity within the abdomen and pelvis. It contains the largest organs of the gastrointestinal system. Lined with the peritoneum.
Bile
Thick, yellow-green digestive enzyme produced by the liver; it flows through the bile ducts and is stored in the gallbladder.
Bile contains the yellow pigment bilirubin, and the green pigment biliverdin.
Bil/i-, Bill/o-, Chol/e-
Bile ducts
Bile from the liver flows through the common hepatic duct into the common bile duct.
Gallbladder
An accessory organ of the gastrointestinal system.
Teardrop-shaped, dark green sac posterior to the liver.
Liver
An accessory organ of the gastrointestinal system. The liver is a large, dark red-brown organ in the RUQ of abdominal cavity. It contains hepatocytes that produce bile.
Mesentery
Thick, fan-shaped sheet of peritoneum that supports loops of the jejunum and ileum.
Omentum
Broad, fatty covering of peritoneum that supports the stomach and protects the small intestine.
Pancreas
Accessory organ of the gastrointestinal system. The pancreas is a yellow, elongated, triangular organ posterior to the stomach.
Secretes amylase, lipase, and protein-digesting enzymes through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum. The pancreas is also a gland of the endocrine system.
Peritoneum
Double-layered serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and surrounds the gastrointestinal organs.
It secretes peritoneal fluid, a watery fluid that fills the spaces between the gastrointestinal organs,
Absorption
Process by which water and fluids in the oral cavity move into the blood that is in blood vessels under the tongue.
Also, in the stomach, water and some liquid/dissolved drugs are absorbed.
Amylase
Digestive enzyme in saliva that begins the digestion of carbohydrates in the oral cavity.
Amylase is also secreted by the pancreas, and it further breaks down complex sugar molecules into glucose.
Bile
Digestive enzyme released by the gallbladder. Bile breaks down fats in the chyme into small fat globules
Chemical Digestion
Digestive process that involves digestive enzymes, acids, and other substances to chemically break down food. It includes emulsification.
Cholecystokinin
Hormone produced by the duodenum when it receives fatty chyme from the stomach. Cholecystokinin stimulates the gallbladder to release bile, and it also stimulates the pancreas to secrete its digestive enzymes into the duodenum.
Chyme
Semisolid mixture of food particles, saliva, and digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine.
Defecation
Process by which undigested food fibers, waste materials, and water are eliminated from the body as a bowel movement or feces or stool.
The passage of flatus (Gus) my also occur.
Deglutition
Process Of swallowing for particles and moving them into the pharynx.
This is part of mechanical digestion.
Digestion
Process of breaking down food into nutrients that can be used by the body.
Digestion begins in the oral cavity and continues throughout the small intestine.
Elimination
Process in which food fibers, waste materials, and water are eliminated from the body in a solid form. Also known as defecation.
Emulsification
Process in which bile breaks down fats in the chyme into small fat globules. This is part of chemical digestion.
Enzymes
Substances that speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes are produces by the salivary glands, stomach, small intestine, and pancreas. An enzyme name usually ends in -ase.
Gastric
Hormone produced by the stomach. It stimulates the release of hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen.
Glucose
Simple sugar that is the only source of energy that body cells can use
Hydrochloric acid
Strong acid produced by the stomach. It breaks down food fibers and converts pepsinogen to pepsin.
Intrinsic factor
Substance produced by the stomach. It helps the stomach absorb vitamin B12 from foods.
Lactase
Digestive enzyme produced by the small intestine.
It breaks down complex sugar molecules and the sugar in milk to the simple sugar glucose.
Lipase
Digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas.
It breaks down small fat globules into fatty acids.
Mastication
The teeth tear, chew, and grind food in the oral cavity. The tongue moves food particles and mixes them with saliva.
This is part of mechanical digestion.
Mechanical digestion
Digestive process that involves some type of physical force and movement.
It includes mastication, deglutition, and peristalsis.
Pepsin
Digestive enzyme in the stomach that breaks down protein foods.
Pepsinogen
Inactive substance produced by the stomach.
It is converted by hydrochloric acid to the digestive enzyme pepsin.
Peristalsis
Coordinated waves of smooth muscle contractions of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Peristalsis moves food particles,chyme, waste materials, and water through the gastrointestinal system.
Peristalsis is part of mechanical digestion.
Anorexia
Decreased appetite because of disease or the gastrointestinal side effect of a drug.
The patient is aid to be anorexic.
Dysphagia
Painful eating or difficulty swallowing. Painful eating can be caused by an infection in the mouth, poorly fitting dentures, or radiation therapy to the mouth for cancer.
Polyphagia
Excessive overeating due to an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, or a psychiatric illness.
Treatment: Correct the underlying cause.
Glossitis
Infection or inflammation of the tongue. This can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, food allergies, abrasive or spicy foods, or a vitamin B deficiency.
Sialolithiasis
A stone (sialolith) forms in the salivary gland and becomes lodged in the duct, blocking the flow of saliva.
Stomatitis
Inflammation fo the mucosa in the oral cavity. Stomatitis can be caused by poorly fitting dentures or by an infection.
Dyspepsia
Mild, temporary epigastric pain, sometimes with gas or nausea.
Also known as indigestion.
Esophageal varix
Swollen, protruding vein in the mucosa of the esophagus. Liver disease causes blood to back up in the large vein from the intestines to the liver, so the blood takes an alternate route through smaller veins in the esophagus, but eventually these veins become engorged.
Gastritis
Acute or chronic infection or inflammation of the stomach due to a bacterial infection, spicy foods, alcohol, or excess acid production.
Gastroenteritis
Acute infection or inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
There is abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. It is caused by a virus or a bacterium.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Chronic inflammation and irritation due to reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter does not close tightly.
Heartburn
Temporary, mild inflammation of the esophagus due to reflux of stomach acid back into the esophagus
Hematemesis
Vomiting (emesis) of blood caused by bleeding in the stomach or esophagus.
Nausea and Vomiting (N&V)
Nauseas is an unpleasant, quesadilla feeling in the stomach. It is caused by infection or inflammation of the stomach or by motion sickness that affects the inner ear. Vomiting or emesis s the expelling of chyme from the stomach through the mouth.
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
Chronic irritation, burning pain, and erosion of the mucosa with the formation of an ulcer. An esophageal ulcer, a gastric ulcer in the stomach, and a duodenal ulcer are all peptic ulcers.
Stomach cancer
Cancerous tumor of the stomach that begins in glands in the gastric mucosa, and so it is categorized as an adenocarcinoma.
Ileus
Absence of normal peristalsis in the small and large intestines.
Intussusception
Telescoping of one segment of intestine inside the lumen of the next segment.There is vomiting and abdominal pain. The cause is unknown.
Volvulus
Twisting of the intestine around itself. There is vomiting and abdominal pain. Also known as malrotation.
Appendicitis
Infection and inflammation of the appendix as waste materials become trapped in the lumen of the appendix.
Colon cancer
Cancerous tumor of the colon. It occurs when colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis become cancerous.
Diverticulum
Weakness in the wall of the colon where the mucosa forms an abnormal pouch or tube-shaped sac that opens into the lumen of the colon.
Gluten sensitivity Enteropathy
Autoimmune disorder and toxic reaction to the gluten found in certain grains inflammatory response.
Also known as celiac disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Chronic inflammation of various parts of the small and large intestines.
Polyposis
Condition of numerous polyps. Polyps are small, fleshy, benign or pre-cancerous growths in the mucosa of the colon.
Hemorrhoids
Swollen, protruding veins in the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or on the skin around the anus.
Proctitis
Inflammation of the rectum due to radiation therapy done to treat cancer. It can also be cause by ulcers or infection.
Rectocele
The wall of the rectum protrudes into the adjacent vaginal wall, causing it to collapse inwardly and block the vaginal canal in a female.
Constipation
Failure to have regular, soft bowel movements.
Diarrhea
Abnormally frequent, loose, and sometime watery feces.
Flatulence
Presence of excessive amounts of flatus (gas) in the stomach or intestines.
Hematochezia
Blood in the feces.
Source can be an ulcer, cance, Crohn disease, or a polyp.
Steatorrhea
Greasy, frothy, foul-smelling feces that contain undigested fats.
Because of deficiency of the enzyme lipase.
Hernia
Defect and weakness in the muscle of the diaphragm or the abdominal wall. The defect allows the intestine and the peritoneum around it to bulge through, causing swelling and pain.
Peritonitis
Infection and inflammation of the peritoneum. It occurs when an ulcer, diverticulum, or cancerous tumor breaks through the wall of the stomach or intestine or when an infected appendix ruptures.
Ascites
Accumulation of ascitic fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity.
Liver disease causes a backup of blood and increased blood pressure in veins of abdomen. This pressure pushes fluid out of the blood into the abdominopelvic cavity.
Cirrhosis
Chronic, progressive inflammation and finally irreversible degeneration of the liver, with enlargement, nodules, and scarring. Liver function is severely impaired.
Hepatitis
infection and inflammation of the liver from the hepatitis virus. There is weakness, anorexia, nausea, fever, dark urine, and jaundice.
Hepatomegaly
Enlargement of the liver due to cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer.
Jaundice
Yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Increased level of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood that enters the tissues, giving them a yellow color.
Obstructive jaundice
Gallstone is obstructing the flow of bile in the bile ducts.
Liver cancer
Cancerous tumor of the liver. This is usually a secondary cancer that began in another part of the body and spread to the liver.
Gallbladder Cancer
Also known as Cholangiocarcinoma
Cancerous tumor in the ducts of the gallbladder.
Cholangitis
Acute or chronic inflammation of the bile ducts because of cirrhosis or gallstones.
Cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis occurs when a galls tone blocks the cysti clutch of the gall bladder.
Cholelithiasis
The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.
When bile is too concentrated, it forms a thick sediment that becomes small gallstones and then larger gallstones.
Pancreatic cancer
Cancerous tumor (adenocarcinoma) of the pancreas.
Pancreatitis
Infection of inflammation of the pancreas. There is abdominal pan and nausea and vomiting.
Albumin
Blood test for albumin, the major protein molecule in the blood. It is part of the panel of blood tests known as liver function tests.
CLO test
Gastric mucosa rapid screening test to detect the presence of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
A biopsy of the patient’s gastric mucosa is placed on a test pad that contains urea.
Culture and sensitivity (C&S)
Fecal test in which sample of the patient’s feces is swabbed onto a culture dish that constrains a nutrient medium for growing bacteria.
Fecal occult blood test
Fecal test for occult (hidden) blood in the feces. The feces are tested with the chemical reagent Guaiac.
Gastric analysis
Stomach test to determine the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Liver function tests (LFTs)
Panel of individual blood tests performed at the same time to give a comprehensive picture of the function of the liver.
Includes:
Albumin, Bilirubin, ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), ALT (Alanine transaminase) and AST (Aspartate Transaminase), GGT or GGRP (gamma-glutamic transpeptidase), and Prothrombin time
Bilirubin test
An elevated blood level occurs with liver disease or gallstones
ALP (Alkaline Phospatase)
An enzyme that is found in both liver cells and bone cell. An elevated blood level occurs with liver disease or bone disease.
ALT (Alanine transaminase) and AST (aspartate transaminase)
Enzymes that are mainly found in the liver. Elevated blood levels occur when damaged liver cells release these enzymes.
GGT or GGTP (gamma-glutamic transpeptidase)
An enzyme that is mainly found in the liver. An elevated blood level occurs when damaged liver cells release the enzyme into the blood.
Prothrombin time
Prothrombin is a blood clotting factor produced by the liver;
Ova and Parasites (O&P)
Fecal test to determine if there is a parasitic infection in the gastrointestinal system. Ova are the eggs of parasitic worms. They can be seen in the feces or by examining a fecal sample under a microscope.
Barium enema (BE)
Radiologic procedure that uses a liquid contrast medium (barium) inserted into the rectum.
Cholangiography
Radiologic procedure that uses an iodinated contrast dye to outline the bile ducts.
Cholangiogram
The x-ray image of gallstones in the gallbladder and bile ducts or thickening of the gallbladder wall.
Intravenous cholangiography
The iodinated contrast dye is injected intravenously, travels through the blood to the liver, and is excreted with bile into the gallbladder.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
A needle is passed through the skin of the abdomen, and the iodinated contrast dye is injected into the liver.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograhpy (ERCP)
An endoscope and a catheter are used to inject iodinated contrast dye to visualized the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.
Cholescintigraphy
Nuclear medicine procedure that uses a radioactive drug given intravenously to detect areas of decreased uptake related to an obstruction in the cystic duct.
Computerized axial tomography (CAT, CT Scan)
Radiologic procedure that uses x-rays to create images of abdominal organs and structures in many thin, successive “slices”
Flat plate of the abdomen
Radiologic procedure that uses an x-ray without contrast dye. The patient lies in the supine position on the x-ray table for this procedure.
Gallbladder Ultrasound
Radiologic procedure that uses ultra high-frequency sound waves (not x-rays) to create images of the gallbladder.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Radiologic procedure that uses a strong magnetic field to align protons in the atoms of the patient’s body.
Oral cholecystography (OCG)
Radiologic procedure that uses tablets of iodinated contrast dye taken orally.
Upper Gastrointestinal series (UGI)
Readiologic procedure that uses a liquid contrast medium (barium) that is swallowed. Barium coats the walls of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Fluoroscopy is used to follow the barium through the small intestine.
Insertion of nasogastric (NG) tube
Procedure to insert a long, flexible nasogastric tube through the nose into the stomach.
Enema
Procedure to insert water into the rectum to stimulate a bowel movement and relieve constipation.
Antacid drug
Treats heartburn by neutralizing acid in the stomach
Antibiotic drug
Treats gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotic drugs are not effective against viral gastrointestinal infections.
Antidiarrheal Drug
Treats diarrhea by slowing down peristalsis, which increases water absorption from feces.
Antiemetic Drug
Treats nausea and vomiting and motion sickness
Drug for gallstones
Dissolves gallstones (instead of surgical removal)
H2 blocker drug
Treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease by blocking H2 (histamine 2) receptors in the stomach that trigger the release of hydrochloric acid.
Laxative drug
Treats constipation by softening the feces or by adding dietary fiber.
Proton pump inhibitor drug
Treats gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease by blocking the final step in the production of hydrochloric acid.
Abdominocentesis
Procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen using a needle inserted into the abdominal cavity.
It is done to relieve abdominal pressure from fluid associated with ascites.
Appendectomy
Procedure to remove the appendix because of appendicitis.
Bariatric surgery
Procedure to treat severe obesity. It limits food intake and nutrient absorption by decreasing the size of the stomach.
Gastric balloon
A gastric balloon is swallowed up inflated and the inflated once it is in the stomach.
Adjustable Gastric Band
An adjustable gastric band is placed across the upper part of the stomach to decrease its total size.
Gastric sleeve
A gastric sleeve removes 80% of the stomach. This is also known as a gastroplasty.
Biopsy
Procedure to remove a small piece of tissue from an ulcer, polyp, mass, or tumor.
Bowel resection and anastomosis
Procedure to remove a section of diseased intestine and rejoin the intestine.
Cholecystectomy
Procedure to remove the gallbladder.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Uses laparoscope that is inserted through tiny incisions in the abdominal wall.
Choledocholithotomy
Procedure to make an incision in the common bile duct to remove a gallstone.
Colostomy
Procedure to remove the diseased part of the colon and create a new opening in the abdominal wall where feces can leave the body.
Ileostomy
If part of the ileum and colon are removed and a stoma created, the procedure is known as an ileostomy.
Endoscopy
Procedure that uses an endoscope to internally examine the gastrointestinal system.
Exploratory laparotomy
Procedure that uses a long abdominal incision to pen the abdominopelvic cavity widely so that it can be explored for evidence of trauma or disease of any of the gastrointestinal organs.
Gastrectomy
Procedure to remove all of part of the stomach because of a cancerous or benign tumor.
Esophagoscopy
Visualization and examination of the esophagus
Through nose or mouth
Gastroscopy
Visualization and examination fo the stomach
Through nose or mouth
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Visualization and examination of the esophagus first, followed by the stomach, and then the duodenum.
Through nose or mouth
Sigmoidoscopy
Visualization and examination of the rectum and sigmoid colon using a sigmoidoscope.
Scope through the rectum
Colonoscopy
Visualization and examination of the entire colon using a colonoscope.
Gastroscopy
Procedure to create a temporary or permanent opening from the abdominal wall into the stomach to insert a gastrostomy feeding tube.
Done for patients who have had an NG tube for some time but still cannot eat on their own.
Hemorrhoidectomy
Procedure to remove hemorrhoids from the rectum or from around the anus.
Herniorrhaphy
Procedure that uses sutures or surgical mesh to close a defect in the abdominal muscle wall where there is a hernia.
Jejunostomy
Procedure to create a temporary or permanent opening from the abdominal wall into the jejunum to insert a jejunostomy feeding tube.
