intro to the gut

Question 1

what is the gut?

Answer 1

the tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus

Question 2

what is the function of the small intestine?

Answer 2

90% of digestion and absorption of food

Question 3

what is absorbed in the small intestine?

Answer 3

nutrients and minerals
fat
protein
carbohydrates

Question 4

why are no carbohydrates absorbed from the small intestine?

Answer 4

enzymes

Question 5

what is the function of the large intestine?

Answer 5

absorbs water from the remaining indigestible food material

removes waste material

Question 6

what is the largest organ in the body?

Answer 6

the liver

Question 7

what is the function of the ileum?

Answer 7

absorbs vitamin B12, bile salts and products of digestion not absorbed by the jejenum

Question 8

what is heartburn?

Answer 8

the burning feeling in the chest caused by acid reflux

Question 9

what is dyspepsia?

Answer 9

pain or uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of the stomach caused by problems with digestion

Question 10

name common GI problems

Answer 10

reflux
dyspepsia
iron deficiency anaemia
diarrhoea
pain and jaundice

Question 11

what is the oesophagus

Answer 11

a muscular tube which propels food to the stomach

Question 12

what problems can occur with the oesophagus?

Answer 12

reflux - oesophagitis
hiatus hernia
lack of propulsion
cancer

Question 13

what does GORD stand for?

Answer 13

gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Question 14

what is GORD?

Answer 14

when stomach acid leaks up into the oesophagus

Question 15

what are symptoms of GORD?

Answer 15

heartburn

Question 16

what is Barrett’s oesophagus?

Answer 16

pre-malignant adenocarcinoma

Question 17

what causes Barrett’s oesophagus?

Answer 17

acid reflux splashing back into oesophagus

Question 18

what group of people is Barrett’s oesophagus common in?

Answer 18

Middle aged men

Question 19

what does the stomach produce?

Answer 19

acid
intrinsic factor
gastrin
pepsinogen

Question 20

what problems can occur in the stomach?

Answer 20

gastritis
gastric ulcer
pernicious anaemia
cancer

Question 21

explain the mechanism of acid secretion?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

how is excess acid secretion treated?

Answer 22

proton pump inhibitors

H2 receptor antagonists

Question 23

which bacteria causes peptic ulcers?

Answer 23

Helicobacter pylori

Question 24

what is absorbed in the small intestine?

Answer 24

CHO, fats and vitamins

Question 25

what is a villus made up of?

Answer 25

blood vessels and lymphatics which run into the muscularis mucosae

Question 26

what type of epithelial cells do the villus have?

Answer 26

simple columnar

Question 27

how can problems with the small intestine present?

Answer 27

Diarrhoea/steatorrhea
Abdominal pain/discomfort
Weight loss
Nutritional deficiencies e.g. iron

Question 28

what are some examples of causes of problems in the small intestine?

Answer 28

coeliac disease
Crohn’s disease
infection

Question 29

how many people have coeliac disease?

Answer 29

1 in 100

Question 30

how is coeliac disease treated?

Answer 30

gluten free diet

Question 31

which area of the gut does Crohn’s disease most commonly affect?

Answer 31

the ileum

Question 32

which area of the gut does ulcerative colitis affect?

Answer 32

colon

ileum affected by backwash

Question 33

what is the function of the colon and rectum?

Answer 33

absorption of water and electrolytes

Question 34

what are problems that can occur in the colon and rectum?

Answer 34

Diverticular disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Cancer
Rectum – haemorrhoids