DIGESTIVE / GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
Digestive System: Group of organs that break down food into chemical components that the body can absorb and use.
Primary and accessory organs of the Digestive System:
Primary Organs: Oral cavity/mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines.
Accessory Organs: Salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen
Functions of the Digestive System / GI Tract / Alimentary Canal: Digestion, absorption, and elimination.
Digestion: Mechanical and chemical breaking down of food into simple forms.
Absorption: Passage of materials (nutrients) through the walls of the intestine into the bloodstream.
Elimination: Exudation of indigestible wastes through the anus in the form of feces/stools.
Tongue: A muscular organ in the mouth, which helps in mastication (chewing), deglutition (swallowing), and speech.
Lingual tonsils: The lymphoid tissue present on the dorsum of the tongue.
Papillae: Tiny bumps present on the surface of the tongue, which contain taste buds.
Teeth: Hard, bone-like, whitish structures in the mouth used to tear and chew food.
Parts of the tooth: Crown, neck, root, enamel, dentin, cementum, & root canal.
The hardest substance in the human body: Enamel
Dentition: Development and form of teeth in the mouth
Esophagus: Esophagus is a muscular tube of about 9-10 inches long that leads from the pharynx to the stomach.
Peristalsis: A series of wave-like muscular contractions in the esophagus to carry down the food into the stomach.
Sphincters of the esophagus: LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) and UES (Upper Esophageal Sphincter)
Stomach and its parts: A sac-like muscular organ, which receives food from the esophagus, actual digestion begins here. It has a fundus, body, and pylorus. The stomach is a container to digest food.
Rugae: Folds in the mucous membranes of the stomach, which contain digestive glands that produce enzymes and HCl.
Enzyme: A chemical that promotes up a response between substances.
The function of digestive enzymes: To breakdown complex foods into simple forms.
Chyme: A semiliquid mass of partially digested food that passes from stomach to duodenum.
Gastric glands and their secretions:
Mucous Cells: Mucus
Parietal Cells: HCl
Chief Cells: Pepsinogen
G Cells: Gastrin
Small intestines & parts: Long, narrow, convoluted muscular tube extending from the stomach to large intestines. Length: 20-25 Feet long.
1. Duodenum: First 12 inches of small intestines. Receives food from the stomach, bile from the liver and/or gallbladder, and pancreatic juice from the pancreas.
2. Jejunum: Middle portion, approx. 8 feet long.
3. Ileum: Last portion, approx. 12 feet long.
Villi: Tiny microscopic projections on the walls of the small intestine, which absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.
Large intestines & parts: Large intestines extend from the ileum (last part of small intestines) to the anus. Length: 5 Feet long
1. Cecum: Pouch-like structure, beginning part of the large intestine. The appendix hangs from the cecum.
2. Colon Parts: 1- Ascending, 2-Transverse, 3-Descending, and 4-Sigmoid.
3.Rectum: Distal end of the large intestines that ends with the anus.
The function of large intestines: Absorb water within the waste material and eliminate solid waste outside the body in the form of feces/stools.
Salivary Glands: Salivary glands are exocrine glands that secrete saliva/spit. Three pairs of salivary glands are parotid glands, sublingual glands, and submandibular glands.
Saliva: A secretion from salivary glands composed of water (98%) and other compounds (2%) such as electrolytes, mucus, and amylase.
Liver: Largest glandular organ of the body is located inferior to the diaphragm in the RUQ. The liver has 4 lobes.
Functions of the Liver:
1. Produces bile.
2. Helps in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism
3. Detoxifies the effect of harmful substances like alcohol and drugs.
4. Stores iron, fat, and vitamins
5. Produces coagulants (fibrinogen and prothrombin) for blood clotting.
6. Produces anticoagulants (heparin) to prevent blood clotting.
7. Produces blood proteins such as albumins and globulins.
Bile: A thick yellowish-brown fluid, which contains bile acids and bile pigments, produced by the liver and stored by the gallbladder for later use.
Gallbladder: A pear-shaped sac located under the liver. It stores bile for later use.
Anorexia: Lack of appetite
Ascites: Unusual collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity.
Colic: Acute abdominal pain caused by spasm of intestinal muscles.
Pancreas: A large gland situated behind the stomach, has both endocrine and exocrine parts.
Exocrine Part of Pancreas: Produces pancreatic juices to digest food, which passes into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct.
Endocrine Part of Pancreas: secretes insulin & glycogen directly into the bloodstream to control glucose levels in the blood.
Mouth: An opening through which food enters.
Palate: Forms the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).
Uvula: V-shaped structure that hangs from the roof of the back of the mouth.
Pharynx / Throat: A common passageway for both digestion (food and liquids) and respiration (air).
Pyloric sphincter: A muscle that is located between the stomach & duodenum.
Cecum: First part of the large intestine.
Rectum: Third part of the large intestine.
Anus: End structure of the digestive tract.
Bile ducts & CBD: Hepatic duct from the liver, cystic duct from the gallbladder form the common bile duct that empties into the duodenum.
Appendix: A hanging structure that is located at the cecum, which has no known function.
Peritoneum: Lining of the abdominal & pelvic cavities.
Cholangioma: Tumor of the bile duct.
Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder.
Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach.
Abdominoplasty: Surgical repair of the abdomen.
Anoplasty: Surgical repair of the anus.
Appendectomy: Excision of the appendix.
Celiotomy: Incision into the abdominal cavity.
Cholecystectomy: Excision of the gallbladder.
Colectomy: Excision of the colon.
Colostomy: Creation of an artificial opening into the colon through the abdominal wall, to pass stool.
Diverticulectomy: Excision of a diverticulum.
Gastrectomy: Excision of the stomach.
Gastrostomy: The creation of an artificial opening into the stomach through the abdominal wall when swallowing is impossible.
Glossorrhaphy: Surgical suturing of the tongue.
Laparotomy: incision into the abdomen.
Polypectomy: Excision of a polyp.
Pyloroplasty: Surgical repair of the pylorus (pyloric sphincter).
Anastomosis: A surgical communication between 2 normally distinct structures.
Vagotomy: Division of the vagus nerve, to reduce the amount of gastric acid and reduce the recurrence of ulcers.
Cholangiogram: X-ray film of bile ducts.
Colonoscope: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the colon.
Colonoscopy: Visual examination of the colon.
Abdominocentesis: removal fluid from the abdomen.
Endoscope: With help of an instrument, visual examination within a hollow organ.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Esophagoscope: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the esophagus.
Gastroscopy: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the stomach.
Laparoscope: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the abdominal cavity.
Laparoscopy: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the abdominal cavity.
Proctoscope: With help of an instrument, visual examination of the rectum.
Sigmoidoscopy: With help of an instrument, Visual examination of the sigmoid colon.
Apepsia: Lack of digestion.
Dyspepsia: difficult digestion.
Aphagia: Inability to eat.
Gastrodynia: Pain in the stomach.
Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in diseases of the stomach and intestines.
Proctologist: A physician who specializes in the study of the rectum and anus.
Proctology: Study of rectum and anus.
Sublingual: of under the tongue.
Feces /Stools: Solid waste material from the digestive tract, expelled through the rectum.
Gastric lavage: Washing out of the stomach.
Hematemesis: Vomiting of blood.
Vomit: Stuff expelled from the stomach through the mouth.
Gastroenteritis: inflammation of the stomach and small intestines.
Gingivitis: Inflammation of the gums.
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver.
Hepatoma: Tumor of the liver.
Pancreatitis: inflammation of the pancreas.
Polyposis: Presence of several polyps.
Rectocele: Protrusion (hernia) of the rectum.
Sialolith: Stone in the salivary gland.
Anorexia nervosa: Prolonged refusal to eat.
Bulimia: Gorging with food and then vomiting.
Gastric ulcer: Ulcer in the stomach.
Ileus: obstruction of the intestine.
Constipation: Difficult, delayed elimination of stools/feces.
Diarrhea: Loose watery stools.
Dysphagia: Difficult, painful swallowing.
Flatus: Expulsion of gas through the anus
Gastroesophageal reflux: A condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates into the esophagus.
Jaundice/icterus: Yellowish discoloration or skin and sclerae due to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood.
Hematochezia: Bloody stools
Nausea: An unpleasant sensation in the stomach with an urge to vomit
Vomiting: Forceful expulsion of stomach contents through mouth and nose.
Steatorrhea: Presence of fat in the feces.
Dental caries: Tooth decay
Aphthous stomatitis: Swelling of mouth with minute painful ulcers.
Achalasia: Failure of LES (lower esophageal sphincter) muscle to relax.
Diverticula: Abnormal outpouchings in the intestinal wall.
Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula.
Volvulus: Twisting of the intestines (small)
Intussusception: Telescoping of the intestines.
Hemorrhoids: Swollen, tangled varicose veins in the rectal region.
Hernia: Protuberance of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it.
Hiatal hernia: Protrusion of stomach through an esophageal opening in the diaphragm
Inguinal hernia: Projection of abdominal cavity contents through the inguinal canal.
Ulcer: An open sore or lesion of skin/epithelium.
Peptic ulcer: An ulcer of alimentary mucosa, usually stomach and duodenum.
Polyp and types of polyps: An abnormal growth of tissue (mushroom-like growths) projecting from a mucous membrane. Types: 1. Pedunculated polyp (with stalk) 2. Sessile polyp (without a stalk).
Anal fissure: A narrow slit in the anal wall.
Oral leukoplakia: A precancerous condition, occurs due to tobacco/alcohol, having white patches on the mucosa of the mouth
Dysentery: Painful, inflamed intestines.
Esophageal varices: Enlarged varicose veins at the lower point of the esophagus.
Viral hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver due to Hepatitis A/B/C.
Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix.
Ulcerative colitis: Persistent inflammation of the colon with the presence of ulcers.
Cirrhosis: Chronic degenerative disease of the liver, mostly because of the toxic effect of alcohol.
Cholelithiasis: Presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.
Choledocholithiasis: Presence of gallstones in the bile duct.
Barium swallow / upper GI series: Barium sulfate swallowed and x-rays are taken of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines.
Barium enema / Lower GI series: Barium sulfate administered via rectum into the colon and x-rays are taken of the rectum and colon.
Hemoccult or Guaiac test: A test to determine the presence of invisible (occult) blood in the stool, a screening test for colon cancer.
O&P test: A test performed on stools, to identify the presence of ova and parasites.
Stool culture: A test performed on stools, to identify the presence of micro-organisms.
Antacids: Drugs that neutralize the HCl in the stomach.
Laxatives: Drugs to relieve constipation.
Anal fissure: A narrow slit in the anal wall.
Oral leukoplakia: A precancerous condition, occurs due to tobacco/alcohol, having white patches on the mucosa of the mouth
Dysentery: Painful, inflamed intestines.
Esophageal varices: Enlarged varicose veins at the lower point of the esophagus.
Viral hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver due to Hepatitis A/B/C.
Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix.
Ulcerative colitis: Persistent inflammation of the colon with the presence of ulcers.
Cirrhosis: Chronic degenerative disease of the liver, mostly because of the toxic effect of alcohol.
Cholelithiasis: Presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.
Choledocholithiasis: Presence of gallstones in the bile duct.
Barium swallow / upper GI series: Barium sulfate swallowed and x-rays are taken of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestines.
Barium enema / Lower GI series: Barium sulfate administered via rectum into the colon and x-rays are taken of the rectum and colon.
Hemoccult or Guaiac test: A test to determine the presence of invisible (occult) blood in the stool, a screening test for colon cancer.
O&P test: A test performed on stools, to identify the presence of ova and parasites.
Stool culture: A test performed on stools, to identify the presence of micro-organisms.
Antacids: Drugs that neutralize the HCl in the stomach.
Laxatives: Drugs to relieve constipation.
Proton-pump inhibitors: Antiulcer agents.
Emetics: Drugs used to induce vomiting
Antiemetics: Drugs used to treat vomiting, nausea, and motion sickness.
GI endoscopy: A flexible fiberoptic tube is introduced into the GI tract either through the mouth or anus to visualize the GI tract for any abnormalities.
Epiglottis: Flap of elastic cartilage tissue covered with mucus membrane, attached to the root of the tongue
Cementum: A thin layer of bone that covers and protects the dentin in the root
Eructation: Belching. Voiding of gas from the stomach through the mouth
Fissure: A deep furrow, cleft, or slit
Melena: Black tarry stools associated with GI hemorrhage
Halitosis: A foul odor from the mouth
Emetics: Drugs used to induce vomiting
Antiemetics: Drugs used to treat vomiting, nausea, and motion sickness.
GI endoscopy: A flexible fiberoptic tube is introduced into the GI tract either through the mouth or anus to visualize the GI tract for any abnormalities.
Epiglottis: Flap of elastic cartilage tissue covered with mucus membrane, attached to the root of the tongue
Cementum: A thin layer of bone that covers and protects the dentin in the root
Eructation: Belching. Voiding of gas from the stomach through the mouth
Fissure: A deep furrow, cleft, or slit
Melena: Black tarry stools associated with GI hemorrhage
Halitosis: A foul odor from the mouth
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