Digestive System Terminology Flashcards
what is the main function of the digestive system
the digestion and absorption of food
where does food and nutrients enter the body
the mouth
what begins the process of digesting food
teeth and gums
Are teeth part of the digestive system?
yes
how do teeth sense heat, cold, pressure, and pain
there are nerves inside teeth that detect these changes
where does food go after it passes the mouth
food will enter the esophagus (esofago)
what is the epiglottis
the flap of skin that is controlled by the brain
what is the function of the epiglottis
it opens and closes and prevents food from entering the trachea by mistake
what is the trachea
(traquea)
the windpipe tube that carries air to the lungs
Next step after food passes through the esophagus
goes to stomach where food is mixed with stomach juices that contain enzymes that aid in the digestion of food
step after food goes through the stomach
food will then enter the small intestine (intestino delgado)
how does the small intestine aid the digestive process
small intestine will add more digestive enzymes or juices which help the body to break down and absorb nutrients
what are the 3 parts of the small intestine
- duodenum
- jejunum
- ileum
what occurs in the duodenum
juices from the liver and pancreas are added
what occurs as food travels along the small intestine
the body will absorb nutrients found within the food and leave the waste
where does the waste go
waste will go to the large intestine (intestino grueso) and is turned into feces as it is prepared to be removed from the body
where does the digested food go after the large intestine
digested food goes through the large intestine, enters the ascending colon, then the transverse colon, then the descending colon, finally reaching the sigmoid colon before entering the rectum
what occurs at the rectum
(recto)
this is when solid waste is expelled from the body
what is a bowel movement
(movimiento intestinal)
the process of expelling solid waste
what is another name for the large intestine
the bowel (intestino)
what is the largest internal organ of the body
the liver (higado)
what is the function of the liver
- control what is in the blood like getting rid of alcohol and poisonous chemicals
- liver also makes bile
where is bile stored
in the gallbladder (vesicula biliar)
what is function of the gallbladder
it empties bile into the small intestine to help break down fatty foods
_____ replaces acid from the stomach so it does not burn the inside of the intestine
bile (bilis)
what does the pancreas do?
- it makes the digestive juices that drain into the small intestine
- it also makes hormones that help control body functions
what body organ is part of the digestive and endocrine system
the pancreas
what is appendicitis (apendicitis)
a blockage inside the appendix
what is the appendix (apendice)
the small, tube like organ that is attached to the first part of the large intestine
what does the blockage in the appendix lead to
blockage leads to increased pressure, problems with blood flow, and inflammation
what can happen if the blockage of the appendix is not treated
this can lead the appendix to burst and spread infection into the abdomen
what is the condition called when the appendix bursts
peritonitis
what is the main symptom of appendicitis
pain in the abdomen, often on the right side
what are the other symptoms of appendicitis
- swelling in abdomen
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- inability to pass gas
- low fever
what is the treatment of appendicitis
remove the appendix in surgery
what is cirrhosis
(cirrosis)
- scarring of the liver
why does scar tissue form
scar tissue will form because of injury or long-term disesase
how is scar tissue different than healthy tissue
scar tissue cannot make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food and store energy
what can cirrhosis lead to (9 things)
- easy bruising or bleeding or nosebleeds
- swelling of the abdomen or legs
- extra sensitivity to medicines
- high BP in the vein entering the liver
- enlarged veins called varices in the esophagus and stomach; varices can bleed suddenly
- kidney failure (insuficiencia renal)
- jaundice (ictericia)
- severe itching
- gallstones (calculos biliares)
what causes cirrhosis
in US, chronic alcoholism and hepatitis are the most common causes
what is the treatment for cirrhosis
nothing makes scar tissue disappear but treatment helps from making scar tissue worse
what happens when you have diarrhea
when a person has loose, watery stool more than 3 times a day
what are other symptoms associated with diarrhea
- cramps
- bloating
- nausea
- urgent need for bowel movement
what can cause diarrhea
bacteria, viruses, parasites, certain medicines, food intolerances and diseases that affect the stomach, small intestine, or colon
what is constipation
this is when a person has 3 or fewer bowel movements in a week; stool will be hard and dry and can be painful to pass
what can prevent constipation
- eating fruits, vegetables, and grains (foods high in fiber)
- drinking plenty of water and other liquids
- getting enough exercise
- taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to
- using laxatives only if doctor recommended
what is the common bile duct
it is the duct connects your gallbladder and liver to your small intestine?
what blocks the gallbladder
if something blocks the flow of bile through the bile ducts it is normally a gallstone
how does a gallstone form
it forms when substances in bile harden
when do gallstones usually attack
right after you eat
what are signs of a gallstone
nausea, vomiting, pain in abdomen, back, or just under the right arm
what is heartburn and when does it occur
(acidez)
- it is a painful burning heeling in your chest or throat
- it occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus
what is gastroenteritis
it is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite
what is the 2nd most common illness in the US
viral gastroenteritis
what is the cause of gastroenteritis
most often it is a norovirus infection that spreads through contaminated food or water and contact with an infected person
what are hemorrhoids
(hemorroides)
- they are swollen inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum
what causes hemorrhoids
due to straining to have a bowel movement, pregnancy, aging or chronic constipation
most common symptom of hemrrhoids
red blood covering the stool
what is hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
what is the most common cause for hepatitis
viruses, drugs, or alcohol
symptoms of hepatitis
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- dark colored urine and pale bowel movement
- stomach pain
- jaundice, yellowing of skin and eyes
what is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
(sindrome del intestino irritable)
- a problem that affects the large intestine that causes abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits
symptoms of IBS
abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea
what is a peptic ulcer
(ulcera peptica)
- a sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum (first part of the small intestine)
what are symptoms of a peptic ulcer
most common symptom is a burning stomach pain that:
- starts between meals or during the night
- briefly stops if you eat or take antiacids
- lasts for minutes or hours
- comes and goes for several days or weeks
what causes peptic ulcer to occur?
occur when acids that help you digest food damage the walls of the stomach or duodenum; most common cause is infection with a bacterium or long term use of NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) like aspirin and ibuprofen
what do you call the medical specialist that handles the health of the digestive system
(gastroenterologo)
Gastroenterologist
what is an upper endoscopy
(endoscopia superior)
- scope used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum
what is a colonoscopy
(colonoscopia)
- scope used to examine the entire colon
what is sigmoidoscopy
(sigmoidoscopia)
- scope is used to examine the lower part of the large intestine including the sigmoid colon
what is the upper GI series (barium swallow)
(esofagographia)
- a test where a patient swallows a substance called barium sulfate that acts like a dye
- next an x-ray method called fluoroscopy tracks how the barium moves through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
