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AP12
The Digestive System
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Absorption | The passage of substances across and into tissues |
Borborygmus | Audible abdominal sound produced by hyperactive intestinal peristalsis |
Amylase | An enzyme that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules |
Constipation | Difficulty in passing stools, or an incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools |
Bile | A bitter, yellow-green secretion of the liver |
Diarrhea | The frequent passage of loose, watery stools |
Chyme | The liquidlike material of partially digested food and digestive secretions found in the stomach just before it is released into the duodenum |
Dyspepsia | A vague feeling of epigastric discomfort after eating (fullness, heartburn, bloating, nausea) |
Crown | The part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line |
Emaciation | Excessive leanness caused by disease or lack of nutrition |
Deciduous Teeth | Baby teeth; primary teeth |
Emesis | The material expelled from the stomach during vomiting (AKA: vomitus) |
Defecation | The act of expelling feces from the rectum through the anus |
Eructation | The act of bringing up air from the stomach with a sound through the mouth |
Deglutition | Swallowing |
Flatus/Flatulence | Air or gas in the intestine that is passed through the rectum |
Dietitian | An allied health professional trained to plan nutrition programs |
Gastroesophageal Reflux | Backflow of content of the stomach into the esophagus that is often the result of incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter |
Digestion | The process of altering the chemical and physical composition of food so that it can be used by the body cells. (Occurs in digestive tract) |
Icterus | Yellow discoloration of skin, mucous membranes, and sclera of the eyes caused by greaer than normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood (AKA: Jaundice) |
Enamel | A hard, white substance that covers the dentin of the crown of a tooth (Hardest substance in the body) |
Nausea | An unpleasant sensation often leading to the urge to vomit |
Endocrine Gland | A gland that secretes its enzmes directly into the blood capillaries instead of being transported by way of ducts |
Exocrine Gland | A gland that secretes its enzymes into a network of tiny ducts that transport it to the surface of an organ, tissue, or into a vessel |
Pruritus Ani | Chronic condition of itching of the skin around the anus |
Gastroenterologist | Specialist in the study of diseases and disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract |
Steatorrhea | Greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces |
Gavage | A procedure in which liquid or semiliquid food is introduced into the stomach through a tube |
Gingivae | Gum tissue |
Anal Fistula | An abnormal passageway in the skin surface near the anus, usually connecting with the rectum |
Glucagon | Hormone produced by the alpha cells of the pancreas that stimulates the liver to convert glycogen into glucose when the blood sugar level is dangerously low |
Aphthous Stomatitus | Small, inflammatory noninfectious ulcerated lesions occurring on the lips, tongue, and inside cheeks of mouth (AKA: Canker Sores) |
Glucose | A simple sugar found in certain foods, especially fruits, and major source of energy occurring in human and animal body fluids |
Celiac Disease | Nutrient malabsorption due to damaged small bowel mucosa |
Glycogen | A complex sugar (starch) that is the major carbohydrate stored in animal cells. It is formed from glucose and stored chiefly in the liver, and, to a lesser extent in muscle cells |
Cirrhosis | Chronic, degenerative liver disease that causes injury to the hepatocytes. (Hepatocytes are functional cells of the liver) |
Glycogenesis | The conversion of simple sugar (glucose) into a complex form of sugar (starch) for storage in the liver |
Colorectal Cancer | Presence of malignant neoplasm in the large intestine |
Glycogenolysis | The breakdown of glycogen into glucose by the liver, releasing it back into the circulating blood in response to a very low blood sugar level |
Hepatocyte | Liver Cell |
Chrohn's Disease | Digestive tract inflammation of a chronic nature causing fever, cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, and anorexia |
Ileum | The distal portion of the small intestine extending from the jejunum to the cecum |
Dental Caries | Tooth decay caused by acid-forming microorganisms |
Mastication | Chewing, tearing, or grinding food with the teeth while it becomes mixed with saliva |
Dysentery | Painful intestinal inflammation typically caused by ingesting water or food containing bacteria, protozoa, parasites, or chemical irritants |
Nutritionist | An allied health professional who studies and applies the principles and science of nutrition |
Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) | Pigmented or hardened cholesterol stones formed as a result of bile crystallization |
Hemorrhoids | Unnaturally distended or swollen vein in the distal rectum or anus |
Pancreas | Elongated organ (6-9" long)located in ULQ, that secretes various substances such as digestive enzymes, insulin, and glucagon |
Hepatitis | Acute or chronic inflammation of the liver due to a viral or bacterial infection, drugs, alcohol, toxins, or parasites |
Pharynx | Throat |
Hernia | Irregular protrusion of tissue, organ, or a portion of an organ through an abnormal break in the surrounding cavity's muscular wall |
Rectum | Portion of the large intestine (12cm long) with the descending sigmoid colon (just proximal to anal canal) |
Intussusception | Telescoping of a portion of proximal intestine into distal intestine, causing an obstruction |
Rugae | A ridge or fold that presents large folds in the mucous membrane of that organ |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) | Increased mortility of small or large intestinal wall, resulting in abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, anorexia, and trapping of gas throughout intestines |
Saliva | The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary and mucous glands in the mouth |
Oral Leukoplakia | Precancerous lesion occurring anywhere in the mouth |
Salivary Glands | One of the three pairs of glands secreting into the mouth, thus aiding the digestive process |
Sigmoid Colon | Portion of the colon that extends from the end of the descending colon in the pelvis to the juncture of the rectum |
Sphincter | Circular band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening in the body |
Stomach | The major organ of digestion, located LUQ and divided into a body and a pylorus |
Uvula | The small, cone-shaped process suspended in the mouth from the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate |
Achlorhydria | Abnormal condition characterized by the absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice |
Anorexia | Lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat |
Aphagia | Loss of ability to swallow |
Ascites | Abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. (The fluid contains large amounts of protein and electrolytes) |
Peptic Ulcers | Break in the continuity of the mucous membrane lining of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of hyperacidity |
Colorectal Polyps | Small growths projecting from the mucous membrane of the colon or rectum |
Thrush | Fungal infection in the mouth and throat producing sore, creamy white, slightly raised curdlike patches on the tongue and other oral mucosal surfaces |
Ulcerative Colitis | Chronic inflammatory condition resulting in a break in the continuity of the mucous membrane lining of the colon in the form of ulcers |
Abdominocentesis (Paracentesis) | Insertion of a needle or trochar into the abdominal cavity to remove excess fluid, with the person in a sitting position |
Oral Cholecystography | Visualization of the gallbladder through x-ray following the oral ingestion of pills containing a radiopaque iodinated dye |
Colonoscopy | Direct visualization of the lining of the large intestine using a fiberoptic colonoscope |
Gastric Lavage | The irrigation or washing out of the stomach with sterile water or a saline solution |
Cholecystectomy | Surgical removal of the gallbladder |
Herniorrhaphy | surgical repair of a hernia by closing the defect using sutures, mesh, or wire |
Small Bowel Follow Through | Oral administration of a radiopaque contrast medium, which flows through the GI system. X-rays are obtained at timed intervals to observe the progression of the barium through the small intestine |