GASTRIC, INTESTINAL, AND PANCREATIC FUNCTION

Flashcards for vocabulary review of the digestive system including the gastric, intestinal, and pancreatic functions

Cardiac Zone

Mainly responsible for the secretion of mucus present in the stomach, protecting the lining.

Body of the Stomach

Contains parietal cells (HCl and intrinsic factor secretion) and chief cells (pepsinogen production).

Parietal Cells

Produces HCl, giving the stomach its acidic pH for food digestion.

Intrinsic Factor

Binds with Vitamin B12, protecting it from stomach acidity.

Chief Cells

Produce pepsinogen (Type 1 and 2).

Pyloric Zone

Contains antrum with G cells (gastrin production, stimulates HCl production).

Gastrin

Hormone produced by G cells in the antrum that stimulates parietal cells to produce HCl.

Chyme

End product of digestion in the stomach.

Neurologic Stimuli

Vagal nerves stimulation from smelling food that initiates gastric fluid secretion.

Secretagogues

Breakdown products of protein (amino acids, protein, and polypeptide) that stimulate gastric fluid secretion.

Gastric Intestinal Polypeptide and Vaso-active Intestinal Polypeptide

Inhibit gastric secretion.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Hypersecretion and hyperacidity in the stomach due to continuous gastrin secretion, often related to pancreatic cell carcinoma (gastrinoma).

Achlorhydria

No production of HCl acid and intrinsic factor due to autoantibodies against parietal cells.

Pernicious Anemia

Related to megaloblastic anemia, gastric atrophy with absence of decreased pH in the stomach.

Megaloblastic Anemia

No production of IF; Vitamin B12 is NOT ABSORBED by the intestine.

Peptic Ulcer

Damage in the lining of the stomach.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Infection caused by Helicobacter pylori, which resists acidic pH by producing mucus.

Basal Gastric Secretion Determination (BAO)

Measurement of HCl after fasting.

MAO (Maximum Acid Output)

Basal fasting measurement of HCl after stimulation.

Plasma Gastrin

Indirect measurement; elevated levels indicate Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

Duodenum

Shortest portion of the small intestine where calcium, magnesium, and iron are absorbed.

Jejunum

Major site of nutrient absorption (fat and water-soluble vitamins, amino acids, monosaccharides).

Ileum

Longest portion where B12 and Bile acid are re-absorbed.

Brush Border Enzymes (BBE)

Convert carbs to become Monosaccharides.

Brush Border Enzymes (BBE)

Converts proteins to polypeptides, peptides, and amino acids

Bile Acids

Act on fat, by inserting micelles in the lipids (water-soluble).

Digestion of Nucleic Acids

Ribonucleases and Deoxyribonucleases are produced by the Pancreas.

Large Intestine

Water absorption.

Lactose Intolerance

Deficiency of Lactase, therefore Lactose accumulation, prone to bloating and diarrhea.

Celiac Disease

Associated with eating cereals, there is production of autoantibodies producing disease in the small intestine.

Whipple Disease

Caused by the bacteria Treponema whippelii

ORAL LACTOSE TOLERANCE TEST (OLTT)

Invasive test used to diagnose Lactose intolerance and Malabsorption.

HYDROGEN GAS BREATH TEST

Test used instead of the OLTT.

D-Xylose Test

Monosaccharide sugar, therefore ready to be absorbed, <4g indicates intestinal absorption defect.

Serum Carotenoids

Includes: Lycopene, Xanthophyll, B-carotene.

Endocrine Glandular Cells

Composed of the islet of Langerhans that produces insulin, glucagon. Etc.

Exocrine Glandular Cells

Produces the pancreatic juices.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Buffers the acidic gastric juice, stops the action of pepsin.

Secretin

Production of pancreatic juice.

Cholecystokinin or CCK

For release of pancreatic enzymes.

Cystic Fibrosis

Dysfunction of all mucus and exocrine gland throughout the body including sweat and sebaceous glands.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of pancreas, Autodigestion.

SECRETIN / CCK TESTS

Stimulation test that measures the secretory and exocrine function of pancreas.

Fecal Fat Analysis

Uses: Sudan III and IV, Oil Red O, and Nile Blue Fulfate, Steatorrhea (failure to absorb fats).

Sweat Electrolyte Determination

Pilocarpine (induces sweating) Iontophoresis Technique >

Serum AMS of >600 somogyi units/dL

Diagnostic for Acute pancreatitis.

AMS Clearance

Freely filtered by the glomerular capillaries, sensitive marker of acute pancreatitis.

Serum LPS

More sensitive indicator of acute pancreatitis compares to AMS, since LPS is only produced in the pancreas