Gastrointestinal System

Question 1

absorption

Answer 1

phase of the digestive process that occurs when small molecules, vitamins, and minerals pass through the walls of the small and large intestine and into the bloodstream

Question 2

amylase

Answer 2

an enzyme that aids in the digestion of starch

Question 3

anus

Answer 3

last section of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; outlet for waste products from the GI system

Question 4

chyme

Answer 4

mixture of food with saliva, salivary enzymes, and gastric secretions that is produced as food passes through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach

Question 5

digestion

Answer 5

phase of the digestive process that occurs when digestive enzymes and secretions mix with ingested food and when proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down into their component smaller molecules

Question 6

dyspepsia

Answer 6

indigestion; upper abdominal discomfort associated with eating, is the most common symptom of patients with GI dysfunction

Question 7

elimination

Answer 7

phase of the digestive process that occurs after digestion and absorption, when waste products are evacuated from the body

Question 8

esophagus

Answer 8

collapsible tube connecting the mouth to the stomach, through which food passes as it is ingested

Question 9

hydrochloric acid

Answer 9

acid secreted by the glands in the stomach; mixes with chyme to break it down into absorbable molecules and to aid in the destruction of bacteria

Question 10

ingestion

Answer 10

phase of the digestive process that occurs when food is taken into the GI tract via the mouth and esophagus

Question 11

intrinsic factor

Answer 11

a gastric secretion that combines with vitamin B12 so that the vitamin can be absorbed

Question 12

large intestine

Answer 12

the portion of the GI tract into which waste material from the small intestine passes as absorption continues and elimination begins; consists of several parts—ascending segment, transverse segment, descending segment, sigmoid colon, and rectum (synonym: colon)

Question 13

lipase

Answer 13

an enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats

Question 14

microbiome

Answer 14

the collective genome of all microbes in a microbiota

Question 15

microbiota

Answer 15

the complement of microbes in a given environment

Question 16

pepsin

Answer 16

a gastric enzyme that is important in protein digestion

Question 17

small intestine:

Answer 17

longest portion of the GI tract, consisting of three parts—duodenum, jejunum, and ileum—through which food mixed with all secretions and enzymes passes as it continues to be digested and begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream

Question 18

stomach

Answer 18

distensible pouch into which the food bolus passes to be digested by gastric enzymes

Question 19

trypsin

Answer 19

enzyme that aids in the digestion of protein

Question 20

Explain the age-related changes in GI system.

Answer 20

*Oral Cavity and Pharynx
•Injury/loss or decay of teeth
•Atrophy of taste buds
•↓ Saliva production
•Reduced ptyalin and amylase in saliva
“Difficulty chewing and swallowing”

*Esophagus
•↓ Motility and emptying
•Weakened gag reflex
•↓ Resting pressure of lower esophageal sphincter
“Reflux and heartburn”

*Stomach
•Degeneration and atrophy of gastric mucosal surfaces with ↓ production of HCl
•↓ Secretion of gastric acids and most digestive enzymes
•↓ Gastric motility and emptying
“Food intolerances, malabsorption, or ↓ vitamin B12 absorption”

*Small Intestine
•Atrophy of muscle and mucosal surfaces
•Thinning of villi and epithelial cells
“↓ Motility and transit time, which lead to complaints of indigestion and constipation”

*Large Intestine.
•↓ Mucus secretion
•↓ Elasticity of rectal wall
•↓ Tone of internal anal sphincter
•Slower and duller nerve impulses in rectal area

Question 21

Where are the common sites of referred abdominal pain?