Module #6 Flashcards
Nutrients
Small, absorbable molecules that provide energy and necessary components for body growth, maintenance, repair, and defense
Digestion
The process of breaking down nutrition (food) into absorbable nutrients.
Digestive tract (or digestive system)
Long tube through which food passes, is digested, and is absorbed
Digestive enzymes
Breaks food chains into shorter chains (breaks down food)
Epithelium
Layer of surface cells that absorbs nutrients
Mucosa
Epithelium that secretes mucus
Name the four layers of the digestive system tube, starting from the inside
1) Mucosa
2) Submucosa
3) Smooth muscle
4) Slick epithelium
What two ways are digestive enzymes added to the digestive tract?
1) Produced by mucosa and added to digested food through crypts (cave-like glands)
2) Ducts (small channels from liver or pancreas)
Number of type in each quadrant and a defining feature:
Incisors
2
Sharp, knifelike edges for cutting
Number of type in each quadrant and a defining feature:
Canine
1
Useful for piercing and tearing food
Number of type in each quadrant and a defining feature:
Premolars
2
Two edge points with flat bitting surface
Number of type in each quadrant and a defining feature:
Molars
3
Flat surface for grinding food
Crown
Part of the tooth that is covered with enamel
Dentin
Substance of which most of the tooth is made; located under the enamel layer
Enamel
The hardest substance in the body
Fibers
Structures that hold the tooth in the socket and act as shock absorbers
Gingiva
Mucosa that covers the bone and encircles each erupted tooth
Pulp
Central area of the tooth containing blood vessels and neurons
Root
Part of the tooth enclosed by the gingiva and fibers attaching it to the bone
What is saliva made of?
Water, mucus, dissolved minerals and salt, protein, antibacterial agents, and digestive enzymes
What structure produces saliva?
Salivary glands
Why is come saliva ropy?
Caused by stress or fear
Why is some saliva watery?
Relaxation (it also contains more digestive enzymes)
What are two advantages of eating small bites and chewing well?
1) It enhances the pleasant experience of eating
2) It decreases the amount of time food will be churning in stomach. Also makes swallowing easier
Name four stimuli that can make a smooth muscle contract?
1) Hormones
2) Drugs
3) Neuron impulse from regulating nerve
4) Pressure
Peristalsis
Waves of rhythmic; moves digesting food along to the next organ
Mixing waves
Smooth muscle activity that sloshes digesting food back and forward, mixing with enzymes
Sphincters
Holds contents in one section until digestion is complete; acts like valves in a tube
What structures close off the airway when a person swallows?
Soft palate and uvula (closes off the nasal cavity; nasopharynx above), larynx, epiglottis (seals off the larynx from the pharynx), and the vocal folds (comes together tightly in larynx as secondary precaution)
What anatomical landmark do you need to identify with your finger on someone before you perform abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich maneuver) on that person?
The umbilicus (naval or belly button)
What is the soft mass of food that is swallowed called?
Bolus
What does the bolus become in the stomach?
Slurry called chyme.
What acid does the stomach secrete?
Hydrochloric acid.
What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?
Hydrochloric acid is very corrosive but kills many bacteria and activates a digestive enzyme called pepsin.
What can cause food poisoning?
Food can become contaminated with bacteria such as E. coli, causing food poisoning.
What is gastroenteritis?
A viral or bacterial infection of the stomach or intestine that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What can happen if too much fluid is lost due to gastroenteritis?
The person may develop dehydration.
What occurs if there is incomplete closure of the lower esophageal sphincter?
The contents of the stomach can enter the esophagus and damage it.
What is it called when stomach contents enter the esophagus occasionally?
When it happens occasionally, it is called heartburn.
What is GERD?
Repeated episodes of stomach contents entering the esophagus are called GERD.
What is the typical cause of stomach or duodenal ulcers?
Usually caused by a H. pylori bacterial infection
How are water-soluble nutrients absorbed?
Through the epithelial cells located on the villi of the small intestine.
Are water-soluble nutrients modified by epithelial cells?
No, they are not modified by the epithelial cell.
Where do water-soluble nutrients go after absorption?
They pass in a capillary and are carried to the liver first.
How are fat-soluble nutrients absorbed?
Through the epithelial cells located on the villi of the small intestine.
What happens to fat-soluble nutrients after absorption?
They are modified by the epithelial cell and pass into a lacteal.
Where do fat-soluble nutrients go after entering a lacteal?
They are carried to the larger lymph vessels and from there into the bloodstream.
What are some of the functions of the liver?
1) Turning toxic substances into less toxic substances
2) Regulating the level of glucose in the blood by sorting it it there is too much or putting it into the blood if there is not enough
3) Filtering worn-out blood cells out of the blood.
4) Changing nutrients into more useful nutrients
Which two digestive organs discussed in this module are not consider essential to life and may be surgically removed if they become diseased?
Appendix, Gall bladder
What are some of the functions of the pancreas?
1) Enzyme production for digesting fats, DNA, and carbohydrates
2) Production of bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid
What do bowel sounds in the abdomen indicate?
That digestion in the intestine is working properly; normal peristalsis
What is the order of structures through which the chyme/feces must pass to exit the body?
1: Ileocecal sphincter
#2: Cecum
#3: Ascending colon
#4: Transverse colon
#5: Descending colon
#6: Sigmoid colon
#7: Rectum
#8: Anal sphincter
The millions of bacteria living in the large intestine, collectively called the microbiome…:
1) Mostly harmless
2) Use the contents of the large intestine that a person cannot digest as their food source
3) Digest some carbs, which produce flatulence
4) Digest some protein, which produces odor in the feces
5) Produce vitamins that the person can absorb and use
6) Together weigh about 3 pounds
Constipation
Infrequent, solid bowel movements
Diarrhea
Frequency, watery bowel movements
Giardia
Parasite causing abdominal cramps and severe diarrhea from drinking untreated water from a natural source
Irritable bowel syndrome
Times of constipation and diarrhea caused by stress
Pinworm
Parasite known to cause severe anal itch
Regularity
1 or 2 bowel movements every day
Hemorrhoids
Blood vessels in the anus that may enlarge and bleed
What is the size of each kidney?
About the size of your fist.
What are nephrons?
Tiny filtration plants in each kidney, with over a million present.
What do nephrons filter?
High-pressure blood.
What happens to the fluid filtered by nephrons?
Some of it is collected in a tubule and selectively reabsorbs most of the water and nutrients.
What waste products are left behind after filtration?
Waste products such as urea.
What is the fluid that leaves the body as waste called?
Urine.
Where is urine collected in the kidney?
In the renal pelvis.
What is the ureter?
A 12-inch tube that carries urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder.
Hypernatremia
Water in body is depleted and salts become more concentrated. Creates imbalance that makes you weak and lethargic
Hyponatremia
Also called water intoxication. There is too much water and not enough salt
Water intoxication
Also called hyponatremia. Not enough salt in body. Causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, and possible confusion
Dehydration
Body doesn’t have enough water
The kidneys are in charge of acid-balance in the body. Dow do they correct an imbalance? Is the correction fast or slow?
It is slow. The kidney removes extra acid/base through urine. It takes about 2 or 3 days
What lifestyle changes can prevent or reduce the occurrence of kidney stones and urinary tract infection?
Modify diet, stay hydrated, and women should wipe from from to back to avoid UTI
