Gastrointestinal (GI)

Question 1

Normal changes with aging

Answer 1

• a decreased taste sensation
• esophagus is more dilated
• reduced saliva & salivary ptyalin (used for breaking down starches)
• liver is smaller in size
• reduced intestinal blood flow
• decreased esophageal motility
• atrophy of gastric mucosa
• decreased stomach motility, hunger contractions & emptying time
• less secretion of HCL, pepsin, lipase, and pancreatic enzymes
• fewer microvilli for absorption in the small intestine
• slower peristalsis
• weaker gag reflex
• slower transmission of neural impulses to the lower bowel reduces awareness of the need to defecate

Question 2

Presbyesophagus

Answer 2

decreased intensity of propulsive waves and an increased frequency of nonpropulsive waves of the esophagus