gi objectives - Sheet1 Flashcards
What is the role of the teeth in digestion?
Mechanical digestion: Teeth break down food into smaller pieces, which increases the surface area for enzymes to act on.
What is the role of saliva in digestion?
Chemical digestion: Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which begins the breakdown of carbohydrates in food.
What is the role of the upper esophageal sphincter?
It protects against reflux of food into the airway and prevents air from entering the digestive tract.
What is the role of the epiglottis during swallowing?
Prevents food from entering the airway while swallowing, directing food into the esophagus.
What is the role of the cardiac sphincter (lower esophageal sphincter)?
Prevents the backflow (reflux) of stomach acid and food from the stomach into the esophagus.
What is the role of the stomach in digestion?
The stomach stores, mixes, and empties food into the small intestine. It also begins the chemical digestion of proteins through enzymes like pepsin.
What is the function of the pyloric sphincter?
Controls the emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine, allowing it to pass into the duodenum in small amounts.
What are the primary functions of the small intestine?
Digestion of food (particularly chyme) and absorption of nutrients via villi and microvilli.
What role do the villi and microvilli play in the small intestine?
They increase the surface area for nutrient absorption. Villi are finger-like projections, and microvilli are hair-like structures on the villi.
What is the function of the duodenum in digestion?
It processes fluid from the stomach and mixes it with pancreatic enzymes and bile to aid in digestion.
What is absorbed by the jejunum?
The jejunum absorbs carbohydrates, proteins, nutrients, and electrolytes.
What is absorbed by the ileum?
The ileum absorbs water, fats, iron, and bile salts.
What is the function of the ileocecal valve?
It is a one-way valve that prevents the backup of contents from the large intestine into the small intestine.
What is the primary function of the large intestine?
Absorption of water and electrolytes, secretion of mucus, and elimination of waste.
What is the function of the cecum in the large intestine?
It receives the contents of the small intestine through the ileocecal valve and begins the process of absorption.
What are the roles of the ascending, transverse, and descending colon?
They absorb water and electrolytes from the chyme, turning it into more solid material as it moves toward the rectum for elimination.
What is the function of the rectum in elimination?
The rectum stores stool until it is ready to be expelled through the anus.
What happens when stool enters the rectum?
The distention of the rectum stimulates the relaxation of the internal anal sphincter. The external sphincter relaxes, and the abdominal muscles contract to facilitate defecation.
What stimulates peristalsis in the intestines?
The presence of food in the intestines and mass peristalsis, which occurs 3-4 times per day, especially after meals.
What is mass peristalsis and when does it occur?
A strong contraction that moves contents through the colon, typically occurring 3-4 times a day, especially within an hour after eating.
What is the physiological process of normal defecation?
Stool in the rectum causes distention, triggering the relaxation of the internal anal sphincter and external sphincter. Abdominal muscles contract to help expel the stool.
What psychological factors affect bowel elimination?
Age, personal habits, physical activity, diet, fluid intake, medications, stress, and psychological conditions can all influence bowel movements.
What medications can affect bowel elimination?
Laxatives, opioids, antibiotics, and other medications can either promote or hinder bowel movements.
How does pregnancy affect bowel elimination?
Pregnancy can slow bowel motility due to hormonal changes and pressure from the growing uterus, leading to constipation.
How does surgery and anesthesia affect bowel elimination?
Surgery and anesthesia can slow down GI motility, leading to post-surgical constipation.
How does position affect bowel elimination?
Positioning during defecation, such as using a bedpan versus squatting, can impact the ease of elimination. Squatting is more natural for bowel movements.
What is constipation?
Difficulty or infrequent bowel movements, typically caused by low fiber intake, dehydration, and certain medications.
What are common causes of diarrhea?
Infections, food intolerances, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and other gastrointestinal disorders.
What causes fecal incontinence?
Inability to control bowel movements, often caused by nerve damage, diarrhea, or chronic constipation.
What causes flatulence?
Excessive gas in the digestive system, often due to diet, food intolerance, or digestive disorders.
What is bowel obstruction?
A blockage in the intestines that prevents normal passage of stool, causing pain, vomiting, and the inability to pass stool.
What is fecal impaction?
A condition where stool becomes hardened in the colon, often due to chronic constipation and dehydration, preventing normal defecation.
What is rectal bleeding?
Blood in the stool, which may be caused by hemorrhoids, fissures, diverticulosis, or colorectal cancer.
What is GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)?
A condition where stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.