Digestive System

1. Digestive System Medical Therapeutics

2. What does the digestive system do? • Group of organs that changes food that has been eaten into a form that can be used by the body’s cells.

3. What is another name for the digestive system? • Also known as the gastrointestinal system or • GI Track • The connecting chain of organs is referred to as the alimentary canal.

4. What are the four phases of the digestive system? • Ingestion • Digestion • Absorption • Elimination

5. What are the organs from the continuous tube at the entrance to the exit of the body? • Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine

6. The Esophagus • Two layers of involuntary muscles When food enters the esophagus, the muscles alternate contract and relax, squeezing the bolus. Together they create the peristaltic movement which moves the bolus to the stomach The whole process takes less than 5 seconds

7. The Stomach • The upper opening to the stomach is controller by a circular muscle called the cardiac sphincter • 10 inches long, j shaped • Constructed of 3 layers

8. Inner layer is thick and full of folds called rugaeCan hold ½ gal of foodCircular layer and longitudinal muscles work together to churn the food thus breaking it down in to small particles

9. Digestion is assisted by a chemical process. Lining has about 35 million glands called gastric glands that secrete hydrochloric acid and enzymes

10. Renin, curdles milkLipase , splits certain fatsPepsin digests the milk curds from the reninHydrochloric acid unites with protein to form and other chemical , which in turn is split by the pepsin

11. To prevent holes in the stomach the gastric glands also secrete ammonia which neutralizes HC When the body does not produce enough ammonia then sores develop these are called peptic ulcers

12. Chyme-partially digested food that has been changed into a semiliquid stateWhen the chyme is ready the opening at the bottom of the stomach called the pyloric sphincter allows it to pass through in to the small intestine

13. Phases of digestion • 1. Carbohydrates • 2. Proteins • 3. Fats

14. When you suffer from nausea and vomiting the abdominal muscles will contract forcing the peristaltic waves to reverse thus pushing the stomach contents upward and out emesis occurs

15. Small intestine • A tube about 1 inch in diameter and about 20 feet long • Divided into 3 sections • 1st is a c shaped section about 9 inches long called the duodenum common area for ulcers known as duodenal ulcer

16. 2nd segment jejunum about 8 feet long3rd section about twelve feet long called the ileumReduced to about ½ inch in diameter at ileocecal valve

17. Ileocecal valve allows the chyme to enter the cecum which is the first section of the large intestine

18. The liver • Largest gland in the body • Lies below the diaphragm in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen extending into the left upper quadrant • Secrets bile at a rate of over a pint a day • Gives the fecal material it brown color

19. Stores glycogen (glucose)Burns protein and stores excess protein as fatProduces fibrinogen (blood clotting)

20. Antibodies that counteract certain diseases are produced in the liverToxins are filtered through the liver and rendered harmless

21. Receives blood from two sources Aorta- supports and preserves the liverPortal vein- conveys absorbed nutrients from all the digestive organs

22. The gallbladder • Small sac attached to the underside of the liver • Sole purpose is to store bile for use during digestion • Cystic duct empties the GB • Hepatic duct from the liver connect to form the common bile duct The common bile duct empties into the duodenum to be added to the chyme during the digestion process

23. Stones from GB can empty thru the cystic duct and obstruct the duct thus obstructing the excretion of bile forcing it into the blood stream

24. The pancreas • Lies behind the stomach with the head in the bend of the duodenum • Empties pancreatic juices into the duodenum which aids in digestion • Secretes insulin directly into the blood stream

25. The large intestine • No digestion occurs in this area • Colon also frames the abdomen • Absorbs excess fluid from chyme through capillaries in the lining • Only about five feet long

26. Consist of three sections and two flexuresFound on the right side is the ascending colon connects to the small bowel at the ileocecal valve.

27. Transverse colon extends across the abdomen Descending colon extends down the left side of the abdomen and exit out the body at the rectum

28. Flexure found on the right side is names the Hepatic flexure because it is located close to the hepatic artery that connects to the liver

29. Splenic flexure is found on the left side between the transverse and descending colon over the spleen.

30. Diagnostic Examinations • Cholecystography-x-ray of the gallbladder after administration of contrast media • Colonoscopy- Examination using a fiber optic scope to examine the entire colon

31. Upper GI study of the esophagus and stomach using barium sulfateUpper GI with small bowel follow through study of the stomach and small bowel using barium sulfate

32. Lower GI study of the large bowel using barium sulfateBarium Enema study of the large bowel by administration of barium through the rectum

33. Gasteroscopy- using a lighted scope and examining the esop. Stomach and upper abdomenOccult blood test collect stool and test for small amounts of blood

34. Blood from the rectum will be bright redBlood from the large bowel will be dark redBlood from the small bowel will be maroon Blood from the stomach will be black

35. Diseases and Disorders • Anorectal abscess and fistula- localized infection of the tissue adjacent to the rectum • Sings throbbing pain lump which makes sitting and coughing uncomfortable • Causes- sharp object in the feces such as fish bone or sea shell, • Treatment-surgery to drain the access

36. Colitis • Inflammation of the colon causing tenderness and discomfort • May be acute due to bacteria or chronic due an allergy or emotional stress • Treatment-none has to run its course

37. Colorectal Cancer • Second leading cause of death (2nd to lung) • 93% of cases occur after 50 more in women than men • Very slow growing if caught early can be cured • 54% cases will occur in the rectum • 21% in sigmoind,5% in descending colon, 3% in Splenic flexure, 5% transverse colon, 3% in the hepatic flexure 9% cecum

38. Causes unknown but it is believed that increase intake of beef fat and low diet of fiber Treatment Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy

39. Colostomy- • An opening in the wall of the abdomen that allows fecal material to excrete from the body • Can be temporary or permanent • Indicated when an obstruction of the large bowel occurs near or at the sigmoid colon

40. Constipation • Sluggish bowel • Signs- dry, hard, infrequent bowel movement • Causes- diet, meds, dehydration, lack of exercise • Treatment- stool softeners, increase fluid intake • Add fiber to the diet

41. Crohn’s Disease • Inflammation of any part of the colon • Most common at the end of the cecum Signs- appendicitis type pain, cramping, pain and tenderness, bloody stool, tenderness in right lower quadrant • Treatment- liquid diet, pain meds, steroids for inflammation

42. Diarrhea • Runny stools • Signs- pain in abdomen followed by urgency with watery loose stool • Treatment- antiditreatment of the underlying problem diarrhea meds, decrease fluid intake and fiber,

43. Gastroenteritis • Inflammation of the stomach • Signs- pain the term may be applied to such conditions as intestinal flu, diarrhea and food poisoning. • Cause- bacteria, food poisoning, drug reaction • Treatment- maalox, mylanna, anti gas type meds.