Clinical Sciences Chapter 4: Gastrointestinal System

gastroenterology

the medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system

gastr/o-

stomach

enter/o-

intestine

gastrointestinal (GI) system

consists of organs and glands connected in a pathway that helps the body digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate undigested waste

upper GI system

the oral cavity (mouth), pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, and duodenum

lingu/o-

tongue

gustat/o-

sense of taste

parotid glands

glands that release saliva and is located in front of the ear

sublingual glands

glands that release saliva and are located below the tongue

Submandibular glands

glands that release saliva and are located below the mandible (lower jawbone)

pharynx

common passageway for inhaled air, exhaled air, and food. divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx

larynx

located just below the pharynx, it allows air to pass through the vocal cords and prevents food from going into the trachea and lungs

dysphagia

medical term for difficulty or pain while swallowing

esophagus

muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach

stomach

and elongated sac that contains the cardia, fungus, body, and pylorus

rugae

forms thick, deep folds that expand

chyme

a thick, partly-digested mixture of food, saliva, and digestive enzymes found in the stomach. it is kept in the stomach by the lower esophageal sphincter and the pyloric sphincter, and remains in the stomach for about an hour after a meal

lower GI system

includes the small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus

small intestine

a long, narrow tube that absorbs nutrients from digested food and receives chyme from the stomach and is made up of three segments: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

duodenum

first and shortest section of the small intestine, receives chyme from the stomach

jejunum

middle section of the small intestine, primary site where nutrients pass into the blood stream

ileum

the third and final part of the small intestine, completes digestion and fights off harmful germs and bacteria

large intestine

runs from small intestine to the outside surface of the body and helps with absorption of water and electrolytes from leftover food waste. contains three segments: cecum, colon, and rectum

peristalsis

moves food, waste material, and water through the body

cecum

first part of the large intestine and is attached to the appendix, keeps waste material and water from flowing back into the ileum of the small intestine through the ileocecal valve

colon

second part of the large intestine and processes food waste and moves waste to the rectum

rectum

third segment of the large intestine and connects to the anus, temporarily holds waste coming from the colon

peritoneum

the double-layered membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and wraps around the organs inside it

gastroscopy

a medical procedure that involves using an instrument to look inside the stomach

digestive tract

includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus

accessory organs to the digestive tract

organs that support the the GI tract but are not officially apart of it. includes the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas

liver

largest solid organ that filters toxins from the blood, produces bile fluid, and holds onto important vitamins and minerals until the body needs them

cirrhosis

long-term liver damage with scarring and nodules

gallbladder

located behind the liver and concentrates and stores bile from the liver

cholecystectomy

the surgical removal of the gallbladder

pancreas

located behind the stomach and secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct. also secretes insulin as part of the endocrine system

bili/o-

bile

chol/e-

bile

cholecyst/o-

gallbladder

cholangi/o-

bile duct

mechanical digestion

involves physical force and movement in the processes of mastication, deglutition, and peristalsis. how your body physically breaks food into smaller pieces

chemical digestion

breaks up food with enzymes, acids, and other chemical substances. how your body breaks food down using chemicals so it can be absorbed

defecation

the process of the body removing undigested fibers, waste, and extra water

hernia

defect weakness in the muscle of the diaphragm, abdominal wall, or pelvic floor that allows intestine and peritoneum around it to bulge through causing swelling and pain

peritonitis

infection and inflammation of the peritoneum when an ulcer, diverticulum, or cancerous tumor breaks through the wall of the stomach or intestine or when an infected appendix ruptures

periton/o-

peritoneum

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver due to cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer

pancreatitis

inflammation or infection of the pancreas

cholangitis

acute or chronic inflammation of the bile ducts because of cirrhosis or gallstones

Liver Function Test (LFT)

panel of blood tests that gives a comprehensive picture of liver function

Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT scan, CT scan)

radiologic procedure that uses x-rays to create images of abdominal organs and structures in many thin successive "slices"

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

radiologic procedure that uses a strong magnetic field to align protons in the atoms of the patient's body

appendectomy

medical procedure to remove the appendix because of appendicitis

biopsy

medical procedure that uses a scope with a light on it (ex: endoscope, colonoscope) to remove a small piece of tissue from an ulcer, polyp, mass, or tumor that is examined to detect abnormal or cancerous cells

colostomy

removal of a diseased part of the colon and creation of an opening in the abdominal wall for feces to pass through

endoscopy

procedure that uses and endoscope to internal examine the GI system

antacid drug

treats heartburn by neutralizing acid in the stomach

antibiotic or anti-infective drug

treats gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria. these drugs are not effective against viral gastrointestinal infections

antidiarrheal drug

treats diarrhea by slowing down peristalsis and increasing water absorption from feces into the blood

antiemetic drug

treats nausea, vomiting and motion sickness

antispasmodic drug

decreases peristalsis to treat diarrhea. decreases spasms to treat cholecystitis and cholelithiasis

laxative drug

treats constipation by softening the feces or by adding dietary fiber to increase the bulk of the stool

proton pump inhibitor drug

Treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) by blocking the production of hydrochloric acid

celi/o-

abdomen

sial/o-

saliva

proct/o-

rectum

mastic/o-

chewing

stomat/o-

mouth

hepat/o-

liver