Management of Client With Problems Of The Digestive System

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, diagnostic procedures, assessment, and disorders of the digestive system based on lecture notes.

Digestive System

Also known as the gastrointestinal (GI) system, it is responsible for the ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination of food and waste products.

Gastrointestinal Tract

A continuous muscular tube extending from the mouth to the anus, which includes the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Vestibule

The part of the mouth located between the gums and the cheeks.

Oral Cavity

The main interior part of the mouth excluding the vestibule, which contains the teeth, tongue, and salivary glands.

Crown

The part of the tooth structure that protrudes above the gum.

Root

The part of the tooth structure embedded in the bone.

Neck

The slightly narrowed region of the tooth structure where the crown merges with the root.

Frenulum

The fold of mucous membrane covering that attaches the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Salivary Glands

Exocrine glands that release saliva into ducts leading into the mouth, consisting of three main pairs: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands.

Pharynx

A muscular passage located behind the mouth and nasal cavity that serves as a passageway for both food and air.

Esophagus

A muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach and transports food via peristalsis.

Peristalsis

Rhythmic muscular contractions that transport swallowed food through the esophagus to the stomach.

Lower Esophageal Sphincter

A sphincter that helps prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus.

Upper Esophageal Sphincter

A sphincter that prevents air from entering the esophagus during respiration.

Intrinsic Factor

A substance produced by the stomach that is essential for vitamin B12 absorption.

Chyme

A semi-liquid substance formed in the stomach when food is mixed with gastric secretions.

Small Intestine

The major site of digestion and absorption of nutrients, divided into the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.

Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine that receives chyme from the stomach and digestive secretions from the pancreas and liver, neutralizing acidic stomach contents.

Jejunum

The middle portion of the small intestine that serves as the major site for absorption of many nutrients.

Ileum

The final part of the small intestine that absorbs remaining nutrients, vitamin B12, and bile salts, and connects to the large intestine.

Large Intestine

A organ consisting of the caecum, colon, rectum, and anus that absorbs water and electrolytes, and forms and stores feces.

Rectum

The final part of the large intestine that temporarily stores feces before defecation.

Anus

The opening through which feces leaves the body, controlled by the anal sphincter.

Liver

The largest internal organ, located in the upper right side of the abdomen, which produces bile, processes and stores nutrients, and detoxifies harmful substances.

Gallbladder

A small pear-shaped sac beneath the liver that stores, concentrates, and releases bile into the small intestine.

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Also known as gastroscopy, a procedure using a flexible endoscope passed through the mouth to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Colonoscopy

A diagnostic procedure where a flexible endoscope is introduced through the anus to examine the rectum and colon.

Gastric Aspiration and Analysis

A procedure where gastric contents are collected via a tube passed into the stomach to examine volume, appearance, and acidity.

Dental Caries

Also known as tooth decay or cavities, a localized, progressive disease characterized by the demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth due to bacterial activity.

Demineralisation

The process by which acid produced by bacteria attacks the tooth, removing minerals such as calcium that make the teeth hard.

Abscess

A pocket of pus around the tooth that forms when bacteria enter its deeper parts.

Fluoridation

A medical management technique for dental caries involving the application of concentrated gel, water treatment, fluoride toothpaste, or sodium fluoride tablets, drops, or lozenges.

Gingivitis

An inflammatory condition of the gums, mostly associated with the accumulation of bacterial plaque.

Periodontitis

A chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gingiva, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.

Stomatitis

An inflammatory condition of the mucous membrane lining the oral cavity involving the cheeks, lips, tongue, gums, palate, or floor of the mouth.

Angular Stomatitis

Irritation and fissuring in the corners of the lips, which in children may indicate an underlying iron deficiency, anaemia, or vitamin B deficiency.

Migratory Stomatitis

Also known as recurrent stomatitis, a condition marked by extensive, erosive areas affected by a crop of red lesions surrounded by a thin white rim.

Parotitis

Inflammation of the parotid gland, representing the most common inflammatory condition of the salivary glands.

Mumps

An epidemic form of parotitis that occurs in children.

Parotidectomy

The surgical procedure carried out to treat chronic parotitis.