Digestive System Deck Flashcards
functions of the digestive system
- to physically break down food into smaller pieces
- to chemically break down food into fat, carbohydrates, and protein
- to absorb nutrients into the blood for use in the body
- to help maintain the proper amount of water, electrolytes, and other nutrients in the body
- to eliminate waste products
alternative names for the digestive system
- the alimentary canal
- the digestive tract
- the gastrointestinal tract
deglutition
swallowing
uvula
small piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate
mastication
the chewing process
enzymes
increase the rate of chemical reactions
bolus
chewed food mixed with saliva
purpose of the epiglottis
to close the opening to the air passage to prevent food and liquid from entering it during swallowing
esophagus
muscular tube that carries the bolus to the stomach in a slow, wave-like motion
peristalsis
the wave of contraction by which food is moved through the rest of the digestive system
sphincters
valves
two sphincters in the stomach
cardiac sphincter and the pyloric sphincter
cardiac sphincter
located at the entrance of the stomach
pyloric sphincter
located at the entrance of the small intestine
chyme
the mixture of bolus and gastric juices
duodenum
the first 10-12 inches of the small intestine
jejunum
middle section of the small intestine, about 8 feet in length
ileum
last 12 feet of the small intestine and connects to the large intestine
villi
tiny thread-like projections that increase the area for nutrients to be absorbed
ileocecal valve
the sphincter that connects the small and large intestines
cecum
a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine
colon
middle section of the large intestine
rectum
the last 6-8 inches of the large intestine
Escherichia coli (E-coli)
bacteria that live up in the large intestine and help to form feces out of waste material; produce vitamin K for the body
location of the most absorbed nutrients
small intestine
location of the most absorbed water (from indigested food that is indigestible)
absorbed back into the bloodstream in the large intestine
three accessory organs to the digestive system
- the liver
- the gallbladder
- the pancreas
pancreas
- secretes pancreatic juices to the small intestine, which include the enzymes protease
- to break down proteins, amylase
- to break down starches
- to break down fats, lipase
liver
- secretes bile to help digest fat
- stores sugar in the form of glycogen and the fat-soluble vitamins
- breaks down many of the toxins taken into the body, including alcohol
- removes old red blood cells, recycles the iron content, and makes blood proteins
gallbladder
next to the liver and receives bile from it; stores the bile until it is needed in the small intestine
ulcer
open sore on the lining of the digestive tract
main causes of an ulcer
stress and bacteria called helicobacter pylori
helicobacter pylori
increase the amount of stomach acid being produced, which results in damage to the lining of the digestive tract
symptoms of an ulcer
include burning pain and indigestion
treatment for an ulcer
involves antacids, reducing stress, and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco
the cause of the ulcer or ulcers was bacteria
antibiotics may also be used as a treatment
constipation
when defecation is delayed because the colon absorbs too much water from the feces, which can become dry and hard to eliminate
causes of constipation
- low fluid intake
- lack of fiber in the diet
- lack of exercise
- stress
symptoms of constipation
include pain and pressure in the abdomen
treatment for constipation
- drinking plenty of fluids
- eating fiber-rich foods
- increasing exercise
- reducing stress
optional treatment for constipation
laxatives, but overuse may be habit-forming and lead to chronic constipation
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
inflammatory bowel syndrome
cause of inflammatory bowel disease
unknown, but emotions and stress can trigger symptoms
symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease
- chronic diarrhea
- abdominal cramping
- blood found in the stool
- weight loss
- fatigue
treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
- anti-inflammatory medication
- antibiotics
- diet changes
- reducing stress
severe cases of inflammatory bowel disease
surgery may be performed to remove sections of diseased bowel
two kinds of IBD
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
can occur anywhere in the digestive tract and affects every layer of tissue
ulcerative colitis
typically occurs in the colon and rectum and affects only the innermost layer of tissue
eating disorder
involves a distortion in the relationship between food and body weight
underlying psychological problems
often contribute to eating disorders
the three examples of eating disorders
- anorexia nervosa
- bulimia nervosa
- obesity
anorexia nervosa
when a person refuses to eat because of an unrealistic fear of weight gain
the fear with anorexia nervosa
does not lessen when weight loss occurs
the starvation linked with anorexia nervosa
can result in permanent tissue damage and even death
bulimia nervosa
when a person fears weight gain but they binge on large amounts of food followed by purging via vomiting or the use of laxatives
anorexia and bulimia nervosa
occur most often in female adolescents and young adults
results of bulimia nervosa
can result in imbalances that lead to heart, liver, and kidney damage and even death
causes of obesity
often caused by overeating, although heredity can be a factor
the health implications of obesity
several problems, including heart disease and diabetes
Body Mass Index (BMI)
can help health care professionals and patients determine their level of obesity
the three levels of obesity
- overweight
- obese
- morbidly obese
overweight
over the ideal body weight by less than 20%
obese
over the ideal body weight by more than 20%
morbidly obese
over the ideal body weight by 100 pounds or more, which is a severe threat to health and life
diarrhea
loose, watery stools that are possibly more frequent than normal
frequency of diarrhea
common but usually not serious
treatment of diarrhea
over-the-counter medication
patients suffering from diarrhea
must ensure that they are drinking enough fluids
possible side effect of diarrhea
dehydration, which can lead to serious complications if not treated
