GI Week 1 - Basic Structure and Function

Question 1

Describe the overall processes of the GI Tract

Answer 1

Disrupt and Digest Food

Absorb Water, Nutrients, Electrolytes

Question 2

What is the function of the Mouth?

Answer 2

Masticate Food (Physically Disrupt)
Start Digestion (Chemical Disrupt)

Question 3

What is the function of the Oesophagus?

Answer 3

Transfer food to the Stomach

Question 4

What is the function of the Stomach?

Answer 4

Chemical Disruption of Food
Break down into smaller pieces
Kill Bacteria
Temporary Storage of Food

Question 5

What is the function of the Duodenum?

Answer 5

Neutralise Chyme
Absorb water
Enzymatic breakdown

Question 6

What is the function of the Small Intestine?

Answer 6

Absorption

Water

Question 7

What is the function of Large Intestine?

Answer 7

Water reabsorption

Question 8

What is the fluid balance of the gut?

Answer 8

Ingest 1kg of food, add 1.5 litres of saliva, 2.5l stomach secretions and 9 litres of water in the small intestine

Reabsorb 12.5 litres in small intestine and 1.35 litres in large
only 0.15kg leave in faeces

Question 9

Describe the enteric nervous system?

How is it related to the ANS

Answer 9

Somatic control of the external anal sphincter and the mouth and 1/3 of oesophagus
ANS controls the rest
2 Plexuses- Submucosal and Myenteric

Question 10

Which hormones/Peptides contribute to gut motility and secretion?

Answer 10

CCK (stimulates bile secretion, inhibits stomach)
Secretin (inhibits stomach secretions)
Gastrin (stimulates HCl)

Question 11

Why is fluid balance important?

Answer 11

It is very delicate
Dealing with a large quantity, so if something is wrong it can lead to life threatening dehydration or electrolyte imbalance

Question 12

Describe dysphagia

Answer 12

Difficulty swallowing

Can be muscular, neurological or due to obstruction

Question 13

What is acid reflux?

Answer 13

When the acid from the stomach refluxes through the lower oesophogastric sphincter, due to weakness, and causes pain

Question 14

What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?

Answer 14

Metaplasia
Due to Acidic Conditions
Squamous epithelia changes to simple columnar with goblet cells

Question 15

What is an Oesophageal varice?

Answer 15

Dilation of sub-mucosal veins of the lower oesophagus.
Due to diversion to connecting veins.
Due to overload in portal venous system
(from Cirrhosis)

Question 16

What is Peptic Ulceration?

Answer 16

Stomachs barriers are weakened, causes an area of damage in stomach or duodenum, from irritation by gastric acid

Question 17

What is Pancreatitis

Answer 17

Inflammation of the Pancreas.
Lots of pain
Releases amylase into the bloodstream

Question 18

What is Jaundice?

Answer 18

Yellow discolouration of the skin/sclera
Due to Liver disease/failure
Bilirubin isn’t excreted so accumulates in the blood
3 Types of Jaundice, Pre and Post Hepatice and Obstructive

Question 19

What are Gallstones?

Answer 19

Precipitation of Bile Acids and Cholesterol.

Often Asymptomatic, can move and block, causing pain.

Question 20

What is Malabsorption?

Answer 20

When the intestines are unable to absorb normally, due to illness

Question 21

What is Appendicitis?

Answer 21

Inflammation of the Appendix
Pain is generalised, localises later.
Can be due to blockage by calcified faeces

Question 22

What is Peritonitis?

Answer 22

Inflammation of the peritoneum

Question 23

What is IBD?

What does it stand for?

Answer 23

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis

Question 24

What are Haemorrhoids?

Answer 24

Vascular strictures in the anal canal become swollen and inflamed
Painful when below the line, itchy and blood may be present in stool

Question 25

What is a Prolapse?

Answer 25

Organs slipping or falling out of place

Question 26

What are Diverticula?

Answer 26

High pressure
Produces an ‘outpouching’ to form a hollow
Sigmoid colon is most prone

Question 27

What is a Meckels’ Diverticulum?

Answer 27

Remnant of vitilline duct creates an outpouching