DigestionNutrition Review clinical medicine

Digestive System

Takes complex foods and breaks them down into simple nutrient molecules so that those simple nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream

Digestive tube

GI tract, Gastrointestinal Tract, Gut, Alimentary canal

Accessory digestive organs

Salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, Pancreas

Types of diets

Herbivore - plant eater, Carnivore - meat eater, Omnivore - eats a variety of plants and meat sources

Monogastric digestive system

One stomach

Ruminant digestive system

One true stomach with 3 fore stomachs for mixing and fermenting

Gastro

Stomach

Enteric

Intestines

Enteritis

Inflammation of the intestines

Functions of the digestive tract

Prehension, Mastication, Chemical digestion, Absorption of nutrients and water, and Elimination of waste

Layers of the GI wall

Mucosa - lining layer consisting of lining epithelium and loose connective tissue, Submucosa - contains glands and dense connective tissue, Muscle - thick muscle for peristalsis and segmental contractions, Serosa - outermost layer of thin, tough connective tissue

Connective tissue that suspends the digestive tube in the abdomen

Mesentery - contains connective tissue and blood vessels

Peristaltic contractions

Moves ingesta along the tube in waves

Segmental contractions

Mixes ingesta back and forth in a mixing motion

Key structures in the mouth

Lips, tongue, teeth, salivary glands, hard palate, soft palate, and oropharynx

Four pairs of salivary glands

Parotid, mandibular, sublingual (bonus:zygomatic in carnivores)

Digestive enzymes

Proteins that promote chemical reactions to split complex food molecules

Animals with amylase in their saliva

Ruminants - breaks down carbohydrates (sugars)

Lipase

Enzyme that breaks down fats or lipids

Esophagus enters the stomach at

Cardia

Monogastric stomach areas

Cardia, fundus, body, pyloric antrum (or Antrum), and pylorus

Segments of the small intestine in order

Duodenum, Jejunum, and Ileum

Cecum

Blind pouch of the large intestines between the ileum and the colon

Small intestine adaptation for increased surface area

Folds in the walls called villi and microvilli (brush border)

Most cases of diarrhea caused by

Lack of segmental contractions in the small intestine

Condition of decreased movement of ingesta

Ileus

Nutrients absorbed intact into the small intestine wall

Water, electrolytes, and vitamins

Nutrients that must be chemically digested

Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats

Organization setting nutritional assessment guidelines

AAHA

5 Vital Assessments

Temperature, Heart Rate, Respiration Rate, Pain, Nutrition

RVT responsibilities in regards to nutrition

Increase quality of care, establish a bond with clients, increase profitability

Ways to fulfill RVT responsibilities in regards to nutrition

Client education, discuss therapeutic diets

Goals of nutrition for companion animals

Maintain health, maximize length and quality of life

Goals of nutrition for large animals

Maximize meat or milk production, rapid meat production, increased quality of milk production

Factors affecting daily nutritional needs of dogs and cats

Species, Age, Activity Level, Purpose of life, Weather, Reproductive Status, Injury

Weather's effect on daily nutritional needs of dogs and cats

Caloric intake should be increased during cold weather

Nutrient

Substance that provides nourishment to an organism allowing it to carry out its normal functions

Three categories of nutrients

Water, Macronutrients, Micronutrients

Energy-producing nutrients

Carbs, Protein, Fats

Non-energy producing nutrients

Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements

Essential nutrients

Cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from the diet

Non-essential nutrients

Can be manufactured by the body and does not have to be obtained from the diet

Conditionally essential nutrients

Must be obtained from the diet during certain life stages or disease processes

Salivary glands

Parotid, mandibular, sublingual (bonus:zygomatic in carnivores)