intro to the gut Flashcards
what is the gut?
the tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus
what is the function of the small intestine?
90% of digestion and absorption of food
what is absorbed in the small intestine?
nutrients and minerals
fat
protein
carbohydrates
why are no carbohydrates absorbed from the small intestine?
enzymes
what is the function of the large intestine?
absorbs water from the remaining indigestible food material
removes waste material
what is the largest organ in the body?
the liver
what is the function of the ileum?
absorbs vitamin B12, bile salts and products of digestion not absorbed by the jejenum
what is heartburn?
the burning feeling in the chest caused by acid reflux
what is dyspepsia?
pain or uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of the stomach caused by problems with digestion
name common GI problems
reflux dyspepsia iron deficiency anaemia diarrhoea pain and jaundice
what is the oesophagus
a muscular tube which propels food to the stomach
what problems can occur with the oesophagus?
reflux - oesophagitis
hiatus hernia
lack of propulsion
cancer
what does GORD stand for?
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
what is GORD?
when stomach acid leaks up into the oesophagus
what are symptoms of GORD?
heartburn
what is Barrett’s oesophagus?
pre-malignant adenocarcinoma
what causes Barrett’s oesophagus?
acid reflux splashing back into oesophagus
what group of people is Barrett’s oesophagus common in?
Middle aged men
what does the stomach produce?
acid
intrinsic factor
gastrin
pepsinogen
what problems can occur in the stomach?
gastritis
gastric ulcer
pernicious anaemia
cancer
explain the mechanism of acid secretion?
histamine binds to H2 receptors causes ATP --> cAMP cAMP acts on protein kinases protein kinases act on ATPase proton pump protein pump pumps H+ out and K+ in
how is excess acid secretion treated?
proton pump inhibitors
H2 receptor antagonists
which bacteria causes peptic ulcers?
Helicobacter pylori
what is absorbed in the small intestine?
CHO, fats and vitamins
what is a villus made up of?
blood vessels and lymphatics which run into the muscularis mucosae
what type of epithelial cells do the villus have?
simple columnar
how can problems with the small intestine present?
Diarrhoea/steatorrhea
Abdominal pain/discomfort
Weight loss
Nutritional deficiencies e.g. iron
what are some examples of causes of problems in the small intestine?
coeliac disease
Crohn’s disease
infection
how many people have coeliac disease?
1 in 100
how is coeliac disease treated?
gluten free diet
which area of the gut does Crohn’s disease most commonly affect?
the ileum
which area of the gut does ulcerative colitis affect?
colon
ileum affected by backwash
what is the function of the colon and rectum?
absorption of water and electrolytes
what are problems that can occur in the colon and rectum?
Diverticular disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Cancer
Rectum – haemorrhoids
