Test #7: Digestive & Reproductive Systems Flashcards
What organs are in the Upper Right Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity?*
Liver, gall bladder, and part of the small and large intestines
What organs are in the Upper Left Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity?*
Stomach, spleen, pancreas, and part of the small and large intestines
What organs are in the Lower Right Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity?*
Urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and part of the small and large intestines
What organs are in the Lower Left Quadrant of the abdominopelvic cavity?*
Urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and part of the small and large intestines
What is another name for the gastrointestinal tract?
GI tract or alimentary canal
What is the GI tract?
A continuous tube which is open to the outside of the body.
It begins with the mouth, then continues to the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus.
How many functions of the digestive system?
6 functions
What are the 6 functions of the digestive system?*
- Ingestion; 2. Propulsion; 3. Mechanical digestion; 4. Chemical digestion; 5. Absorption; and 6. Defecation
Ingestion
The process of taking food into the mouth.
Propulsion
The movement of food through the GI tract.
Vocab: Deglutition
“Swallowing”
Vocab: Peristalsis
A slow, rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle to move food along.
Mechanical Digestion
The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces
What are the 3 methods of mechanical digestion?
- Mastication; 2. Churning; and 3. Segmentation
Mechanical Digestion: Mastication
“Chewing”
Mechanical Digestion: Churning
Breakdown of food into smaller pieces in the stomach.
Mechanical Digestion: Segmentation
A slower form of peristalsis which is designed to keep food in place as it is being broken down.
Chemical Digestion
The addition of enzymes and digestive juices to further breakdown food chemically.
Absorption
The uptake of nutrients from our diet through the mucosal lining of the GI tract. 90% occurs in the small intestine.
Defecation
The elimination of waste in the form of feces through the anus.
Mouth
Ingestion occurs here.
What are the 3 parts of the mouth?
- Teeth; 2. Tongue; and 3. Salivary glands
Mouth: Teeth
Shred, grind and tear food into smaller pieces.
Mouth: Tongue
Made up of skeletal muscle, taste buds and mucus producing glands.
It allows for a sense of taste and positions food for ease of chewing and swallowing.
Mouth: Salivary Glands
Product saliva which is a byproduct of blood.
It is 97-99% water with electrolytes, proteins, antibodies, digestive and antibacterial enzymes, and metabolic waste.
What are the 3 salivary glands?
- Submandibular; 2. Sublingual; and 3. Parotid
Salivary Glands: Submandibular
Located on the medial side of mandible
Salivary Glands: Sublingual
Located under the tongue
Salivary Glands: Parotid
Lie anterior to the ear, deep to the skin and superficial to the masseter muscle.
What are the 3 functions of saliva?
- Cleanses the mouth due to antibacterial enzymes and antibodies.
- Moistens food so it can be tasted.
- Moistens food so it can be compacted into a ball for ease of swallowing.
What are the 5 functions of the mouth?
- Ingestion; 2. Mechanical digestion (mastication); 3. Chemical digestion; 4. Absorption; and 5. Propulsion (deglutition)
What are the 4 muscles involved in mastication?
- Temporalis; 2. Masseter; 3-4. Medial and Lateral Pterygoids
Temporalis*
A: ELEVATES THE MANDIBLE
O: Temporal fossa
I: Mandible
Masseter*
A: ELEVATES THE MANDIBLE
O: Maxillae (under zygomatic arch)
I: Mandible
Medial Pterygoids*
A: SIDE-TO-SIDE DISPLACEMENT OF THE MANDIBLE
O: Maxillae
I: Mandible (Oblique angle)
Lateral Pterygoids*
A: SIDE-TO-SIDE DISPLACEMENT OF THE MANDIBLE
O: Sphenoid
I: TMJ (Horizontal/deep)
What muscles of mastication are indicated for “clenchers”?
Temporalis and masseter
What muscles of mastication are indicated for “grinders”?
Medial and lateral pterygoids
Mouth: Chemical Digestion
Salivary amylase is the enzyme in saliva which begins the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates. It is not a complete breakdown.
Saliva creates a bolus – a moistened ball of food for ease of swallowing.
Mouth: Absorption
Sublingual medications, such as nitrous oxide, can be absorbed in the mouth.
Mouth: Propulsion
Deglutition is the the swallowing of the bolus.
Pharynx
The “throat” is a ~5” length tube of skeletal muscle.
It delivers the bolus from the mouth to the esophagus.
Esophagus
About 10” in length, it runs down the mediastinum and through the diaphragm.
Made up of some skeletal muscle and mostly smooth muscle.
It rhythmically contracts (peristalsis) to move the bolus to the stomach.
What are the 4 layers of the GI tract (from deep to superficial)?
- Mucosa; 2. Submucosa; 3. Muscularis; and 4. Serosa
Mucosa
Epithelial tissue innermost lining in contact with food.
What are the 3 functions of mucosa?
- Protection; 2. Absorption; and 3. Secretion
Mucosa: Protection
The tightly packed epithelial cells and sticky mucus protect against foreign matter.
Mucosa: Absorption
In some areas of the GI tract, the mucosa absorbs nutrients and medications into the blood.
Mucosa: Secretion
In some areas of the GI tract, the mucosa secretes digestive enzymes and juices.
Submucosa
A layer of connective tissue outside the mucosa that serves as a pathway for blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and it is the location of phagocytes.
Muscularis
Smooth muscle layer outside the submucosa that is responsible for peristalsis, segmentation and churning.
Serosa
Superficial layer of connective tissue which helps to anchor the GI tract.
Stomach
ULQ: A collapsible storage tank for food that can shrink down to 1-2” in diameter and can expand to hold about 1 gallon.
What are the 4 parts of the stomach?
- Cardiac region; 2. Fundus; 3. Body; and 4. Pylorus
Stomach: Cardiac Region
The proximal region where the esophagus enters the stomach.
Location of the cardiac sphincter, which is a closure between the esophagus and stomach that prevents food from backing up into the esophagus.
Stomach: Fundus
The oval-shaped region lateral to the cardiac region and just deep to the diaphragm.
Stomach: Body
The midportion.
Stomach: Pylorus
The distal region of the stomach where the pyloric sphincter is located; serving as the gateway to the small intestine.
What are the 4 functions of the stomach?
- Mechanical digestion; 2. Chemical digestion; Absorption; and 4. Protection of stomach lining
Stomach: Mechanical Digestion
Churning to break down food into smaller pieces.
Churning happens due to the 3 opposing layers of muscularis.
Stomach: Chemical Digestion
Hydrochloric (HCL) acid is produced by the stomach for 2 reasons: 1) kills bacteria; and 2) creates an acidic environment necessary for protein digestion.
Stomach: Chemical Digestion: Chyme
The bolus and digestive enzymes from the stomach create a creamy paste.
Stomach: Chemical Digestion: Protein Digestion
The stomach produces an enzyme called pepsin to break down protein into peptides. It is a partial breakdown.
Stomach: Absorption
The stomach is limited to absorbing aspirin and alcohol.
What are the 3 ways the stomach lining is protected from the HCL it produces?
- Mucus production is much thicker/heavier.
- Epithelial cells are held together by tight junctions.
- Regeneration occurs every 3-6 days.
Small Intestine
Centered in the center of the abdominopelvic cavity. About 20’ in length and 90% of all absorption occurs here. Food in the small intestine is still called chyme.
What are the 3 regions of the small intestine?
- Duodenum; 2. Jejunum; and 3. Ileum
Small Intestine: Duodenum
The proximal region that is about 1’ in length containing villi, microvilli and circular folds. Most of the 90% of absorption occurs here.
The common bile and pancreatic ducts drain here.
Small Intestine: Jejunum
About 7-8’ in length; villi, microvilli and circular folds present but decreasing hence absorption is decreasing. Goblet cells that produce mucus are increasing.
Small Intestine: Ileum
The distal end that is about 10-12’ in length; villi, microvilli and circular folds present but decreasing hence absorption is decreasing. Goblet cells that produce mucus are increasing.
Peyer’s patches are here to kill bacteria and it’s where the ileocecal valve is located between the ileum and cecum (large intestine).
Vocab: Circular folds
Folds on the inside of the small intestine to increase surface area. Allows for absorption to occur by slowing down movement of chyme.
Vocab: Villi
Finger-like projections off the circular folds to further increase surface area.
Inside are blood vessels and lacteals to absorb dietary fat.
Vocab: Microvilli
Hair-like projections off the villi to further increase surface area and produces enzymes to digest food called brush border enzymes.
What are the 4 functions of the small intestine?
- Mechanical digestion; 2. Chemical digestion; 3. Absorption; and 4. Propulsion
Small Intestine: Mechanical Digestion
Segmentation is a slower form of peristalsis to keep food in one place so that absorption can occur.
Small Intestine: Chemical Digestion
Adding digestive enzymes (brush border enzymes) to break down food.
What are the 4 brush border enzymes produced by microvilli in the small intestine?
- Sucrase breaks down sucrose…
- Lactase breaks down lactose…
- Maltase breaks down maltose…
…into glucose. - Peptidase breaks down peptides into amino acids.
Small Intestine: Absorption
90% of absorption occurs here and all food types are absorbed here.
Small Intestine: Propulsion
Peristalsis takes over at the distal small intestine to move waste into the large intestine.
What are the 3 accessory organs to the small intestine?
- Liver; 2. Gall Bladder; and 3. Pancreas
Liver
URQ: Largest organ in the body (3 lbs) protected by the ribs.
Its only digestive function is to produce bile which emulsifies fat into droplets so our enzymes can further break them down chemically.
Liver: Hepatic Duct
Left and right ducts leading away from the liver to deliver bile to the common bile duct.
Liver: Hepatic Portal Circulation
Blood circulation from the digestive organs to the liver to the hepatic vein.
Gall Bladder
URQ: Sits under the liver and is the same size and shape as a kiwi.
It stores bile and the cystic duct drains bile from the gall bladder to the common bile duct.
Common Bile Duct
Hepatic and cystic ducts merge and drain into the common bile duct which drains into the duodenum.
Pancreas
ULQ: Performs both digestive and endocrine functions; runs from the spleen (posterior to stomach) to the duodenum.
Pancreas: Endocrine Functions
Produces hormones insulin (when blood sugar is too high) and glucagon (when blood sugar is too low)
Pancreas: Digestive Functions
Produces digestive enzymes
What are the 3 digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas?
- Pancreatic amylase breaks down simple carbohydrates into glucose.
- Trypsin breaks down peptides into amino acids.
- Lipase breaks down fat droplets into fatty acids and glycerol.
Pancreas: Pancreatic Duct
Delivers pancreatic digestive enzymes to the duodenum.
Large Intestine
The “colon” is about 4-5’ in length and frames the small intestines on 3 sides.
What are the 7 parts of the large intestine?
- Cecum; 2. Ascending colon; 3. Transverse colon; 4. Descending colon; 5. Sigmoid colon; 6. Rectum; and 7. Anus
Large Intestine: Cecum
The proximal region where the appendix is located. The appendix is a finger-like projection of lymphatic tissue and lymphocytes to destroy bacteria, keeping it from entering the small intestine.
Large Intestine: Rectum
Initiates a defecation reflex when its walls are stretched.
Large Intestine: Anus
Has an internal (smooth muscle) and external (skeletal muscle) sphincter.
What are the 4 functions of the large intestine?
- Mechanical digestion; 2. Chemical digestion; 3. Absorption; and 4. Propulsion
Large Intestine: Mechanical Digestion
Segmentation so that water can be absorbed.
Large Intestine: Chemical Digestion
Bacteria breaks down the food we cannot (e.g. plan walls = cellulose) and in the process the bacteria product vitamins B and K, and gas.
Large Intestine: Absorption
Water and vitamins B and K
Large Intestine: Propulsion
Mass movement (defecation) occurs 3-4 times per day to rid waste.
What are the 3 categories of food?
To be used by the body…
- Starch/carbohydrates must be broken down into glucose
- Fats/lipids must be broken down into fatty acids and glycerol
- Proteins must be broken down into amino acids
Vitamins
Differentiated by water and fat soluble
What are the 4 fat soluble vitamins?*
1-4. Vitamins A, D, E and K
Metabolism
The sum of all cellular activity.
What are the 2 categories of metabolism?
- Anabolism; and 2. Catabolism
Metabolism: Anabolism
Building
e.g. amino acids > peptides > proteins
Metabolism: Catabolism
Breaking down
e.g. proteins > peptides > amino acids
Massage and the Digestive System
Clients that present with digestion issues are precautionary in the least; perhaps contraindicated for deep abdominal massage.
If we induce a parasympathetic response it will help with the digestive process.
Digestive Process: Carbohydrates/Starches
Begins in mouth by salivary amylase.
No digestion in stomach.
Finished in small intestine by brush border enzymes sucrase, lactase and maltase as well as pancreatic enzyme amylase.
End product is most usable source of fuel, glucose, which is stored by the liver and in muscle in the form of glycogen and is eventually broken down into ATP.
Digestive Process: Proteins
Begins in stomach by pepsin and breaks down into peptides.
Finished in small intestine by brush border enzyme peptidase and pancreatic enzyme trypsin.
End product is amino acids which are absorbed and sent to the liver for further use by the body.
Digestive Process: Fats/Lipids
Begins in small intestine by bile from the liver which emulsifies fat into droplets. Lipase from the pancreas breaks down droplets into fatty acids and glycerol. Some will go to the liver for further synthesis and some will be absorbed by lacteals for drainage into the bloodstream to be used by the cells for fuel and for plasma membranes.
Scrotum
Made up of skin and superficial fascia which hangs outside the pelvic cavity to house the testes.
Function is to maintain appropriate temperature for sperm production.
What are the 2 muscles that help keep the scrotum tight or hang more loosely?
- Dartos: smooth muscle wrinkles the scrotum
2. Cremaster: skeletal muscle elevates the scrotum
Testes
Male reproductive organs house within the scrotum
What are the 2 functions of the testes?
- Spermatogenesis: produce male reproductive cell called sperm
- Testosterone: produce male sex hormone which causes the development of secondary sex characteristics (deepening voice, enlargement of sex organs, growth of body hair, thickening bones and muscle, and stimulation of sex drive). Most active at puberty.
Male Duct System
System of tubes which deliver sperm from the testes to the outside of the body.
What are the 4 tubes that make up the male duct system?
- Epididymis; 2. Ductus Deferens; 3. Ejaculatory Duct; and 4. Urethra
Epididymis
Coiled tube about 20’ long sits on the testes. Once sperm is produced in the testes it is delivered to the epididymis where it matures and learns to swim.
Ductus Deferens
Sperm leaves the epididymis to enter the ductus deferens which is a tube that travels superiorly up and over the urinary bladder and meets the ejaculatory duct.
Ejaculatory Duct
Small tube that travels through the prostate gland to deliver sperm from the ductus deferens to the urethra.
Urethra
Distal end of the male duct system that runs from the urinary bladder through the penis to the outside of the body. Its function is to carry urine or sperm to the outside serving both the urinary and reproductive systems.
What are the 3 accessory glands to the male reproductive system?
- Seminal Vesicles; 2. Prostate gland; and 3. Bulbourethral glands
Seminal Vesicles
Located at the base of the bladder, adds a thick, yellowish fluid rich in sugar and vitamin C to nourish the sperm
Prostate Gland
Single, donut-shaped gland which surrounds the urethra just below the bladder. It adds a milky fluid which helps the sperm to swim and counters the acidity of the vagina.
Bulbourethral Glands
Paired glands inferior to the prostate gland which add thick, clear mucus for lubrication and cleansing of the urethra.
Semen
A combination of sperm and accessory gland secretions.
Perineum
Diamond-shaped region bordered by the pubic symphonies, ischial tuberosities and coccyx. Location of the external genitalia and muscles of the pelvic floor.
Ovaries
Female reproductive organs which lie on either side of the uterus.
What are the 2 functions of the ovaries?
- Oogenesis: production of the female egg (ovum) which is released (ovulation) on avg 1 egg/month from puberty thru menopause
- Estrogen and Progesterone: production of female sex hormones. Estrogen helps mature the egg and develops secondary sex characteristics (enlargement of sex organs, development of breasts, body hair, widening of pelvis, onset of menstrual cycle and increased deposits of fat). Progesterone helps establish menstrual cycle, maintains uterus during pregnancy and prepares breasts for lactation.
Uterine (fallopian) tubes
Deliver egg from ovaries to uterus. Fertilization of egg by sperm occurs here.
Uterus
Located anterior to the rectum and posterior/superior to the bladder. Thick walled, hollow organ which retains and nourishes the fertilized egg and developing fetus.
Cervix
Narrow opening of the uterus to the vagina
What are the 3 layers of the Uterine wall (superficial to deep)?
- Perimetrium: outermost layer of serous membrane
- Myometrium: middle smooth muscle layer
- Endometrium: inner, heavily vascularized, mucosal lining of epithelial tissue which serves as the site of embryo attachment
Menstruation
If egg is not fertilized by sperm, the uterus sheds most of the endometrium.
Vagina
About 4” long muscular tube which extends from cervix to the outside of the body. It receives the male penis during intercourse and serves as the passageway for menstruation and child birth.
What are the 3 external female genitalia?
- Labia: 2 sets of fatty skin folds at the opening of the vagina to retain moisture
- Greater Vestibular Glands: lie on either side of the vagina and secrete mucus for moisture and lubrication
- Clitoris: small structure anterior to the opening of the urethra which is made of erectile tissue and is highly innervated.
Mammary glands
Present in both sexes but functional in females. Modified sweat glands which lie superficial to pec major. They function in lactation for developing newborn.
