The Digestive System And Digestive Disorders

Question 1

Alimentary Canal

Answer 1

mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and anus and accessory organs of digestion

Question 2

Function of the Digestive System

Answer 2

to convert food into simple nutrients for use by the cells of the body

Nutrients are:
Vitamins
Minerals
Water
Fats
Proteins
Carbohydrates

Question 3

Mouth

Answer 3

Begins the process of breaking down food

Adds enzymes from saliva to start carbohydrate breakdown

Moistens food with saliva

Question 4

Pharynx

Answer 4

Common passage for air and food

Gag reflex will keep food out of the trachea

Rhythmic contractions (peristalsis) push food into the esophagus

Question 5

Esophagus

Answer 5

Continue peristalsis to move food particles to the stomach

Question 6

Stomach

Answer 6

Muscular sac

Holds food up to 4 hours

Strong contractions churn and further break up food

Begin protein digestion

Gastric juices mix with food to produce a semi-liquid substance called chyme

Question 7

Small Intestine: Composed of three parts

approximately 6 meters (20 ft) long

Answer 7

Duodenum: more digestive juices are added to the chyme

Jejunum: absorption of nutrients through villi lining the walls

nutrients are passed into the capillaries and transported to the cells

Ileum: final absorption of nutrients
remaining chyme is moved to the large intestine for absorption

Question 8

Large Intestine: (colon)

Answer 8

final absorption of any remaining h2o and vitamins

solid waste matter passes to the rectum for elimination through the anus

Question 9

Accessory Organs of Digestion

Answer 9

Tongue: manipulates food for thorough chewing by the teeth

propels food particles backwards to the pharynx for swallowing

Salivary glands: excretes enzymes for the chemical breakdown of food

moistens food for easier passage

Teeth: Cut, chop and grind food into smaller particles for ease of swallowing

Question 10

Pancreas

Answer 10

Secretes enzymes that are the most important for the breakdown of food particles

***secretes insulin via the ‘Islets of Langerhans

Secretes insulin

Question 11

Gall bladder

Answer 11

Stores bile

Question 12

Liver

Answer 12

Metabolizes fats, protein and carbohydrates

Detoxifies substances from the blood

Stores fat-soluble vitamins

Excretes bile, cholesterol and bilirubin

Question 13

The processes of digestion

Answer 13

Mechanical: food is broken down so it can be moved through the digestive tract by peristalsis

Begins with chewing with the teeth

Chemical: Enzymes combine with food to further the breakdown into simple nutrients that the body can utilize

Begins in the mouth with saliva

Question 14

Vomiting

Answer 14

the act of expelling stomach contents through the mouth

signals illness or injury that can be life-threatening

Question 15

Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Answer 15

Common disorder of unknown cause

Muscle band at the end of the esophagus relaxes at inappropriate times

Allowing stomach acids to back up into the esophagus

Question 16

Gallbladder Disease

Answer 16

Pear-shaped sac that stores bile to aid in the digestion of fat

Components of bile form stones in the gallbladder which can cause inflammation

Stones can obstruct the opening of the gallbladder

Question 17

Hepatitis (liver disease)

Answer 17

1) Hepatitis A:
spread by fecal-oral route (not washing hands)
vaccine exists
once you have had the virus you generally have immunity

2) Hepatitis B:
blood and body fluids
vaccine exists
no cure but if you recover from the disease you can have immunity

3) Hepatitis C:
blood and body fluids
no vaccine
no cure
responsible for most of the liver damage

Question 18

Peristalsis

Answer 18

Is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that moves food to different processing stations in the digestive tract

Question 19

Cirrhosis

Answer 19

Result of chronic liver disease

Liver tissue is gradually replaced with scar tissue which affects liver function

Most commonly caused by alcoholism and Hep C virus

No cure

Treatment can halt further liver damage

Question 20

Celiac Disease

Answer 20

Small intestine disorder

Caused by a reaction to gluten protein found in wheat

Question 21

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Answer 21

Bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits

Question 22

Types of IBS

Answer 22

IBS with diarrhea: Abdominal bloating / abdominal pain / urgency / frequent loose watery stools that sometimes contain mucus

IBS with constipation: Abdominal bloating / severe abdominal pain / hard lumpy stools / need to strain to pass stools / feeling of incomplete bowel emptying

Question 23

Colitis

Answer 23

Inflammation of the colon

Question 24

Crohn’s Disease

Answer 24

Chronic inflammatory condition of the GI tract

Characterized by flare-ups and periods of remission

Most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine and the large intestine

Question 25

Diverticular Disease

Answer 25

Small pouches develop and bulge outward through weak spots in the colon

Pouches are called diverticulum – the condition of having these pouches is called diverticulosis

Question 26

Bilirubin

Answer 26

Yellowing of the skin caused by Liver and Gallbladder disorders