alimentary canal
gastrointestinal system
digestive system
gastrointestinal system and digestive tract
Gastrointestinal (GI) System
Digest food, absorbs nutrition, and removes waste materials. Includes; oral cavity, salivary gland, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum, anus, and accessory organs.
Larynx
Structure below the pharynx. Closes during swallowing when the neck muscles pull it up to the epiglottis. Lid like, so that swallowed food particles go into the esophagus and stomach.
Mucosa
Mucous membrane that lines the oral cavity and gastrointestinal system and produces mucus
oral cavity
Mouth; hallow area that contains teeth, gums, tongue, hard palate and soft palate.
palate
Hard palate (bone) and soft palate (posterior soft tissue) form the roof of the oral cavity.
Pharynx
throat; passageway for food particles and air. It is between the oral cavity and the esophagus.
salivary glands
Three pairs of glands on either side of the head; they release saliva into the oral cavity.
tongue
Large muscle that fills the oral cavity and assists with eating and talking. It contains receptors for the sense of taste.
cardia
First part of the stomach where the stomach joins the esophagus
Chyme
Semisolid mixture of food particles, saliva, and digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestines
Esophagus
Flexible tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach.
fundus
rounded, top part of the stomach
lower esophageal sphincter
muscular ring at the distal end of the stomach. Keeps chyme in the stomach from flowing back into the esophagus
pyloric sphincter
muscular ring at the distal end of the stomach. Closes to keep chyme in the stomach or opens to let chyme flow into the duodenum.
pylorus
Narrowed, last part of the stomach just before it joins the duodenum.
rugae
thick, deep folds of gastric mucosa that expand as the stomach fills with food
stomach
large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food
anus
external opening of the rectum
appendix
Long, thin pouch on the exterior wall of the cecum. It contains lymphatic tissue and is active in the body's immune response.
cecum
a short sac-like portion of the large intestine. Contains ileocecal valve that keeps waste materials and water from flowing back into the ileum from the large intestine.
colon
Second and longest part of the large intestine.
duodenum
The 10 inch, first part of the small intestine.
ileum
The 12 feet long, third (and final) portion of the small intestine.
Jejunum
10 foot long, second part of the small intestine
Haustra
Puckered pouch in the intestinal wall that expand to receive large amounts of waste material
Large intestine
organ of absorption between the small intestine and the anus. it includes the cecum, colon, rectum, and anus.
Lumen
open channel inside a tubular structure such as the esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine
rectum
final part of the large intestine
small intestine
organ of digestion between the stomach and large intestine. It includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. produce digestive enzymes such as lactase to break down sugar.
Villi
Thousands of microscopic thin structures in the mucosa that project into the lumen of the small intestine. Increase the surface area to maximize absorption of digestive nutrients and water from the small intestine.
abdominopelvic cavity
Continuous cavity formed by the abdominal and pelvic cavities
bile
Thick, yellow-green digestive enzyme produced by the live; flows through bile duct and is stored in the gallbladder. Breaks down fats in the chyme into small fat globules.
bile duct or biliary tree
Bile from the live flow through the common hepatic duct into the common bile duct; once full bile fills the cystic duct and gallbladder.
Gallbladder
Dark green sac posterior to the live that stores and concentrates bile. Chyme in the duodenum causes the gallbladder to contract and release bile into the duodenum
liver
Large organ in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. Produces bile.
mesentery
Thick fat sheets of peritoneum that support loops of the jejunum and ileum
omentum
Broad, fatty apron of peritoneum. It supports the stomach and protects the small intestine.
pancreas
GI organ posterior to the stomach. Secretes amylase, lipase, and protein-digesting enzymes through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum.
peritoneum
double-folded membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and surrounding GI organs. Secretes peritoneal fluid.
Absorption
Water and fluids in the oral cavity move into the blood that is in blood vessels under the tongue; water and some fluids/dissolved drugs are absorbed in the stomach; majority of water and food nutrients absorbed in ileum; remaining water is absorbed into
amylase
Enzyme in saliva that begins the digestion of carbs in the oral cavity.
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cholecystokinin
Hormone produced by the duodenum when it receive fatty chyme from the stomach. Stimulates gallbladder to release bile and the pancreases to secrete digestive enzymes.
Defication or elimination
process by which undigested food fibers, waste materials, and water are eliminated from the body as a BM or feces.
deglutition
process of swallowing
Digestion
Process of breaking down food into nutrients that can be used by the body.
emulsification
process in which bile breaks down fats in the chyme into small globules.
enzyme
a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction
gastrin
Hormone in the stomach that stimulates the release of hydrochloric acid and pepsinogen.
glucose
simple sugar that is the only source of energy the body cells can use
Hydrochlorc acid
strong acid in the stomach that breaks down food fibers and converts pepsinogen to pepsin.
intrinsic factor
Substance produced by the stomach that is required for vitamin B12 absorption.
lactase
Digestive enzyme in the small intestine. It breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk to the simple sugar glucose.
lipase
Digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas. It breaks down fat globules into fatty acids.
Mastation
The teeth tear, chew, and grind food in the oral cavity. The tongue moves food particles and mixes them with saliva.
pepsin
Digestive enzyme in the stomach that breaks down protein foods.
pepsinogen
Inactive substance in the stomach converted into pepsin by hydrochloric acid.
Peristalsis
Involuntary waves of muscle contraction that keep food moving along in one direction through the digestive system.
anorexia
Decreased appetite bc of disease or GI side effect of a drug.
dysphagia
painful eating or swallowing
polyphagia
excessive overeating due to an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, or a psychiatric illness
glossitis
infection or inflammation of the tongue
sialolithiasis
a stone that forms in the salivary gland and becomes lodged in the duct, blocking the flow of saliva; causes swelling and pain
stomatitis
inflammation of the mucosa in the oral cavity.
dyspepsia (indigestion)
Mild, temporary epigastric pain, sometimes with gas or nausea.
esophageal varix
swollen protruding vein of the mucosa of the esophagus.
gastritis
Acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach due to spicy foods, excess acid production, or a bacterial infection.
gastroenteritis
acute inflammation or infection of the stomach and intestines due to a virus or bacterium
GERD
gastroesophageal reflux disease
hematemesis
vomiting of blood from bleeding in the stomach or esophagus
N&V
nausea and vomiting
PUD
peptic ulcer disease
stomach cancer
cancerous tumor of the stomach that usually begins in glands in the gastric mucosa
ileus
Absence of normal peristalsis in the small and large intestines.
intussusception
Telescoping of one segment of intestine inside the lumen of the next segment. There is vomiting and abdominal surgery
volvulus or malrotation
Twisting of the intestine around itself. There is vomiting and abdominal pain.
appendicitis
Infection and inflammation of appendix as waste materials become trapped in the lumen of the appendix. The abdominal pain increase and then localizes to the right lower quadrant.
colon cancer
Cancerous tumor of the colon. It occurs when colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis become cancerous.
diverticulum
Weakness in the wall of the colon where the mucosa forms an abnormal pouch or tube-shaped sac that opens into the lumen of the colon. Causes inflammation, infection, abdominal pain, and fever.
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease
Autoimmune disorder and toxic reaction to the gluten found in certain grains.
IBD
inflammatory bowel disease
IBS
irritable bowel syndrome
polyposis
Condition of numerous polyps.
hemorrhoids
swollen, protruding veins in the rectum or on the skin around the anus
proctitis
inflammation of the rectum and anus due to radiation therapy done to treat cancer.
rectocele
The wall of the rectum protrudes into the adjacent vaginal wall, causing it to collapse inwardly and block the vaginal canal in a female.
peritonitis
Infection and inflammation of the peritoneum. Stomach or intestinal contents and bacteria spill into the abdominopelvic cavity.
ascites
Accumulation of ascitric fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity. This pressure pushes fluid out of the blood into the abdominopelvic cavity and grossly distends the abdomen.
Cirrhosis
Chronic, progressive inflammation and finally irreversible degeneration of the liver, with nodules and scarring. Impairs liver function.
Hepatitis or viral hepatitis
infection and inflammation of the liver from the hepatitis virus.
hepatomegaly
enlargement of the liver
liver cancer or hepatoma or hepatocellular carcinoma
cancerous tumor of the liver that usually begins in another part of the body and spreads to the liver.
gallbladder cancer
also known as cholangiocarcinoma
cholangitis
Acute or chronic inflammation of the bile ducts because of cirrhosis or gallstones
Cholecystitis
gallstone is blocking the cystic duct of gallbladder causing severe pain
Albium
Blood test known as liver function test. Produced by the liver, low levels indicated liver disease.
CLO
Campylobacter-like organism
C&S
culture and sensitivity
fecal occult blood test
fecal test for hidden blood in feces.
gastric analysis
stomach test to determine the amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
LFTs
liver function tests
O&P
ova and parasites
BE
barium enema
cholangiography
radiologic procedure that uses an iodinated contrast dye to outline the bile duct. Looks for gallstones.
cholescintigraphy
Radioactive drug given intravenously to detect areas of decreased uptake related to an obstruction in the cystic duct.
CAT or CT scan
Computerized axial tomography
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
OCG
oral cholecystography
UGI
upper gastrointestinal series
NG tube
insertion of nasogastric tube
antiemetic drug
treat nausea and vomiting and motion sickness
H2 blocker drugs
treat GERD and PUD by blocking H2 (histamine 2) receptors in the stomach that trigger the release of hydrochloric acid
abdominocentesis
procedure to remove fluid from the abdomen using a needle and a vacuum container
appendectomy
procedure to remove the appendix because of appendicitis
bowel resection and anastomosis
procedure to remove a section of diseased intestine and rejoin the intestine
cholecystectomy
surgical removal of the gallbladder
choledocholithotomy
Procedure to make an incision in the common bile duct to remove a gallstone
colostomy
procedure to remove the diseased part of the colon and create a new opening in the abdominal wall where feces can leave the body
endoscopy
A procedure that uses an endoscope to look inside the body. Endoscopes have a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. The doctor moves it through a body passageway or opening to see inside an organ.
exploratory laparotomy
abdominal operation for the purpose of examining the abdominal organs and tissues for signs of disease or other abnormalities
gastrectomy
surgical removal of part or all of the stomach bv of cancerous or benign tumor
gastrostomy
Procedure to create a temporary or permanent opening from the abdominal wall into the stomach to insert a gastrostomy feeding tube.
jejunostomy
Procedure to create a temporary or permanent opening from the abdominal wall into the jejunum through which to insert a jejunostomy feeding tube.
herniorrhaphy
procedure that uses sutures or surgical mesh to close a defect in the muscle wall where there is a hernia