The Digestive System

After studying this chapter, you will be able

Objectives
to:

Name the parts of the digestive system and

discuss the function of each part
Define combining forms used in building words that
relate to the digestive system
Identify the meaning of related abbreviations
Name the common diagnoses, clinical procedures,
and laboratory tests used in treating the digestive
system
2

Objectives
2
List and define thePart
major pathological
conditions of the digestive system

Explain the meaning of surgical terms related

to the digestive system
Recognize common pharmacological agents
used in treating disorders of the digestive
system

Parts of the Alimentary

The Digestive System
Canal
Consists of the alimentary canal and several
accessory organs.

small intestine

mouth
pharynx

Parts of the
Alimentary Canal

esophagus
stomach

large intestine

anal canal
4

Digestion is chemical and mechanical

process on the ingested food to
prepare it for assimilation by the body.
Function of Digestive System
Ingestion
Chewing
Swallowing
Digestion
Absorption
Excretion of undigested food
5

Actions of Digestive (GI)

Tract
Ingestion
Secretion
Occurs when material
enters via the mouth

Mechanical Processing
Crushing / Shearing
makes material easier to
move through the tract

Digestion

Chemical breakdown of
food into small organic
compounds for absorption

Release of water acids,

buffers, enzymes & salts by
epithelium of GI tract and
glandular organs

Absorption

Movement of organic
substrates, electrolytes,
vitamins & water across
digestive epithelium

Excretion

Removal of waste products

from body fluids

Digestive (GI) Tract

The
Alimentary
Canal
The Alimentary
Canal
A tube that extends from the mouth to the anus
Consists of four layers:
-outer layer (protects)
-second layer (muscular; contracts and expands in
wavelike motions called peristalsis)
-third layer (vessels, nerves and glands that nourish and
carry away waste)
-innermost layer (mucous membrane that secretes mucus
and digestive enzymes)
8

Digestive
Enzymes
Digestive Enzymes
Break down complex substances into simpler
substances that can be absorbed by the body
Complex proteins

Complex sugars
Fat molecules

Amino acids

Glucose
Fatty acids
9

Organs
of
the
Digestive
Organs of the
Digestive System
System
Tongue
Mouth
Tooth

Parotid
salivary
gland
Pharynx

Sublingual
salivary gland

Submandibular
salivary gland

Liver
Gall bladder
Duodenum

Esophagus

Stomach
Pancreas

Large intestine

Small
intestine

Anal canal

Rectum
10

toast

Tracing Toast
mouth

pharynx

epiglottis

esophagus
stomach

anus

feces

rectum

Tracing a piece of
toast through the
alimentary canal

sigmoid
colon

duodenum
jejunum
ileum

descending
colon

transverse
colon

ascending
colon

cecum

11

Mouth

lips

Mouth
The lips protect the mouth from
receiving food that is too hot or
too rough on the surface.

The mouth is also called the oral cavity

Food is taken into the mouth and chewed with the
assistance of the cheek muscles

12

The Tongue

Process of chewing is
called mastication

..
. ..
.

tongue

The tongue moves the food

around to prepare it for
deglutition (swallowing)
Small raised areas called papillae are located
on the tongue and they contain taste buds.
The frenulum connects the tongue to the floor
of the mouth.
13

Mouth Part 2
Mouth (contd)
Hard palate

Hard anterior
portion of the
palate with
irregular ridges
of mucous
membranes
called rugae

Soft palate
Soft posterior
portion of the
palate. A
downward cone
shaped projection
called the uvula is
located at the back
of the soft palate

Both the lingual tonsils and the palatine tonsils

are located in the oral cavity and these play an
important role in the immune system.
14

Salivary Glands
Salivary
Glands

parotid
submandibular
sublingual

Parotid gland

Submandibular gland

Tongue
Tooth

Sublingual
gland

Digestion of food begins in the mouth with mastication.

Teeth are held in place by the fleshy sockets called gums.
15

Pharynx
Pharynx
Muscular tube about 5 inches long in adults
Also known as the throat
Transmits food into the esophagus
The epiglottis (a flap of tissue) covers the
trachea to prevent food from entering the larynx
during swallowing which causes choking

16

Esophagus
Esophagus
Muscular tube about 9 to10 inches long in
the adult that contracts rhythmically
(peristalsis) to propel food toward the
stomach
Contains a group of muscles called the lower
esophageal sphincter that closes off the
entrance to the stomach to prevent reflux of
food, emesis or regurgitation (vomiting).

17

Stomach
Stomach

Pouchlike organ located in the left hypochondriac region of

the abdominal cavity
Receives food from the esophagus and mixes it with
gastric juices to form a semifluid mass called chyme

Gastric Juice

Function

pepsin

digests most proteins

hydrochloric acid

provides acidic environment

for the action of pepsin

mucus

protects inside of stomach

wall by providing an alkaline
layer
18

Stomach Regions

Stomach Regions
Cardiac Region
-region closest to the
heart

Fundus
-upper rounded portion
Body
-middle portion

Fundus of
stomach

Esophagus

Cardiac region
of stomach
Pyloric sphincter

Duodenum

Pylorus
-narrowed bottom portion Pyloric region
that empties into the small of stomach
intestine. The pyloric
sphincter controls the
emptying of the stomach.

Body of
Stomach
Rugae

19

Small Intestine
Small
Intestine
Consists of three parts:
-duodenum
-jejunum
-ileum

Duodenum

Stomach
Jejunum

Held in place by the

mesentery which is a
muscular membranous tissue
that anchors both the small
and large intestines to the
abdominal wall
Cecum
Appendix
First site of absorption and
Ileum

nutrients pass from the

intestinal walls and into the
bloodstream through the villi

20

Large Intestine

Large Intestine
Consists of four parts:
-cecum
-colon
-sigmoid colon
-rectum

Undigested waste may remain

in the large intestine from 12 to
24 hours
A wormlike pouch (appendix)
filled with lymphatic tissue
extends from the cecum
Process of turning waste
material into a semisolid waste
(feces) begins in the cecum

21

Large Intestine
(contd)
Large
Intestine
Part 2
Colon consists of three
parts:
-ascending colon
-transverse colon
-descending colon
Sigmoid colon is an sshaped structure that
connects to the rectum
Rectum connects to the
anal canal
Release of feces from
the body is called
defecation

Ascending
colon

Transverse
colon

Descending
colon
Ileum

Ileocecal
valve
Cecum
Vermiform appendix
Rectum

Sigmoid colon
Anal canal

22

Liver
Liver
Located in the right quadrant of
the abdominal cavity
Divided into right and left lobes
Converts food nutrients into
usable substances
Secretes a yellowish-brown to
greenish substance called bile
which is stored in the gall
bladder
Stores glucose in the form of
glycogen
Secretes bilirubin, a bile
pigment that is combined with
bile and excreted into the
duodenum

Inferior vena cava

Left lobe
Right lobe

23

Liver
Functions

Synthesis of bile
Formation of urea
Detoxification of drugs
Destruction of RBC
Storage of excess glucose in form of glycogen
Storage of Vitamin A & D
Storage of Hemoglobin
Manufacturing of blood proteins, albumin &
globulin
Manufacturing of prothrombin & fibrinogen
24

Gall bladder
via Hepatic duct and cystic duct
Gall bladder concentrates and
stores bile ,
sent to Duodenum via common bile
duct
Pancreas produces enzymes
(Amylase,lipase and peptides) sent
through Pancreatic duct
to Common bile duct then to
duodenum.
25

Gallbladder
Gallbladder

Stores bile from the

liver
Three ducts connect
the liver, gallbladder,
and duodenum for the
flow of bile (hepatic
duct, cystic duct, and
common bile duct)
Releases bile when it
is needed for the
emulsification
(breakdown) of fat

Pancreas
Secretes a pancreatic
juice that includes
various enzymes such
as amylase and lipase
Also an endocrine
gland

26

Spleen
Situated in abdominal cavity
Left hypochondriac region, below the ribs
Weight 100gm
Function of Spleen
Production of blood cells
Storage of blood
Destruction of platelets
To transport hemoglobin to liver
Seat of some antibodies
Extracts bacteria and dead cells from blood.

Combining
Forms Meaning
&
Combining Form
Abbreviations
(an)
an(o)
anus
append(o)

appendix

bil(o)

bile

bucc(o)

cheek

cec(o)

cecum

celi(o)

abdomen

chol(e)

bile

28

Combining
Forms &Meaning
Combining Form
Abbreviations
(cholangi)
cholangi(o)
bile vessel
cholecyst(o)

gallbladder

choledoch(o)

common bile duct

col(o)

colon

duoden(o)

duodenum

enter(o)

intestines

esophag(o)

esophagus

29

Combining
Forms
&
Combining Form
Meaning
Abbreviations
(gastr)
gastr(o)
stomach
gloss(o)

tongue

gluc(o)

glucose

glyc(o)

sugar

glycogen(o)

glycogen

hepat(o)

liver

ile(o)

ileum
30

Combining
Forms & Meaning
Combining Form
Abbreviations
(jejun)
jejunum
jejun(o)
labi(o)

lip

lingu(o)

tongue

or(o)

mouth

pancreat(o)

pancreas

periton(eo)

peritoneum

pharyng(o)

pharynx

31

Combining
Combining Form Forms &
Meaning
Abbreviations (proct)
proct(o)

anus, rectum

pylor(o)

pylorus

rect(o)

rectum

sial(o)

saliva, salivary gland

sialaden(o)

salivary gland

sigmoid(o)

sigmoid colon

steat(o)

fats

stomat(o)

mouth
32

Combining
FormsMeaning
&
Abbreviation
Abbreviations (ALT, AT)
ALT, AT

alanine transaminase

AST

aspartic acid transaminase

BE

barium enema

BM

bowel movement

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ERCP

endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux
disease
gastrointestinal

GI

33

Abbreviation
Combining
Forms
&
Meaning
Abbreviations (IBD)
IBD

inflammatory bowel disease

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

NG

nasogastric

NPO

nothing by mouth

SGOT

serum glutamic oxaloacetic

transaminase

TPN

serum glutamic pyruvic

transaminase
total parenteral nutrition

UGI

upper gastrointestinal (series)

SGPT

34

Diagnostic, Procedural
and Laboratory Terms

Gastroenterologists are physicians that specialize in treating

the digestive system

Common Tests
Stool culture and sensitivity
-identifies the disease-causing
organism and what medications
will effectively destroy the
organism
Hemoccult test (stool guaiac)
-chemical test done to indicate
the presence of bleeding in the
digestive tract
35

Types of Endoscopes
Types of Endoscopes
esophagoscopy

proctoscopy

gastroscopy

sigmoidoscopy

colonoscopy

peritoneoscopy

X-rays and other Imaging Techniques

MRI

Barium enema

Cholecystography

CAT scan

Upper GI Series

Liver scan

Barium swallow

Cholangiography

Ultrasound

36

Serum Tests for Liver

Serum Tests for Liver Functioning
Liver
Functioning
Serum glutamic oxaloacetic
transaminase (SGOT) measures enzyme
levels that have leaked from damaged
liver cells
Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase
(SGPT) also known as an alanine
transaminase (ALT), measures for
damaged cells
Serum bilirubin measures bilirubin in the
blood as an indicator of jaundice
Alkaline phosphatase indicator of liver
disease, especially liver cancer

37

Nasogastric Tube
Nasogastric
Tube
Also referred to as NG
tube
Used for the following
purposes:
-to relieve fluid
buildup
-to take stomach
content samples
-to provide liquid
nourishment

Liquid food
(TPN)

Nostrils
Esophagus

Stomach
38

Eating Disorders
Pathological
Terms
Anorexia
A morbid refusal to eat
because the person wants to be
dangerously thin

Bulimia
Eating, then purposefully
purging or vomiting to achieve
weight loss

Obesity
Excessive body
weight that often
results from overeating

39

Oral Inflammatory
cheilitis
Conditions
aphagia

Oral
Inflammatory
Conditions

glossitis

sialadenitis

dysphagia

parotitis

halitosis
40

Pathology :
Aphagia : inability (or impaired ability) to understand or produce

speech, as a result of brain damage.

Glossitis : inflammation of the tongue.
Halitosis : technical term forbad breath.
Sialadenitis : inflammation of the salivary glands
Dysphagia : difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, as a symptom of
disease.
Parotitis : inflammation of a parotid gland, especially (infectious
parotitis) mumps.
cheilitis: inflammation of the lips.

agi:
41

Diseases
the Pharynx
Diseases of theof
Pharynx
Esophageal varices
twisted veins in the esophagus that are prone to
hemorrhage and ulcers
Esophagitis
any inflammation of the esophagus
Gastroesophageal reflux
malfunctioning of the sphincter muscle at the bottom of
the esophagus
Achalasia
failure of the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the
esophagus to relax during swallowing
42

Disorders of the of
Stomach
Disorders
the
Stomach
Achlorhydria

Lack of hydrochloric
acid in the stomach
Dyspepsia
Difficulty with digesting
food
Gastritis

Flatulence

Accumulation of gas in the

stomach or intestines
Eructation
Belching to release gas
Hematemesis
Vomiting of blood from the
stomach

Any stomach inflammation

Hiatal hernia

Gastroenteritis

Protrusion of the stomach

through an opening in the
diaphragm

Inflammation of both the

stomach and small
intestine

43

Liver Disorders
Hyperbilirubinemia

Excessive bilirubin in the

blood causing a yellow
discoloration of the skin

Liver Disorders
Hepatomegaly
Enlarged liver

Cirrhosis of liver

Chronic liver disease caused by

poor nutrition and excessive
alcohol consumption. Cirrhosisis
a term that refers to a group of
chronic diseases of theliverin
which normallivercells are
damaged and replaced by scar
tissue or fibrous tissue.

Hepatitis
Term for several types of
contagious diseases of
the liver
44

Conditions of the
Cholelithiasis
Gallbladder

Conditions of the Gallbladder

-another term for gall stones

Cholangitis
-any inflammation of the bile ducts

Cholecystitis
-any inflammation of the gallbladder
45

Disorders of the Intestines

Disorders
of the
Duodenal ulcers
Ileus
Intestines
A form of peptic
ulcer thought to be
bacterial in origin

Appendicitis
Inflammation of the
appendix, which lies on
the side of the duodenum,
and becomes inflamed if
gastric substances leak
into it from the duodenum

An intestinal blockage

Colitis
General term for inflammation
in the large intestine

Ulcerative colitis
A chronic type of irritable
bowel disease

46

Other Intestinal
Conditions
Other
Intestinal
Conditions
Diverticulosis

Presence of small
pouches in the
intestinal wall that trap
food or bacteria
Dysentery

Volvulus

General term for

inflammation of the
intestinal tract with
loose stools and other
symptoms such as
abdominal pain and
weakness

Twisting of the
intestine that causes
a blockage

47

Intestinal Conditions (contd)

Intussusception
Intussusception
Prolapse of an intestinal
part into a neighboring
part

Other Terms
ascites

diarrhea

hemorrhoids

peritonitis

flatus

anal fistula

proctitis

melena

steatorrhea

constipation

48

Pathology.
Ascites : the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing

abdominal swelling.
Peritonitis : inflammation of the peritoneum, typically caused by
bacterial infection either via the blood or after rupture of an
abdominal organ.
Proctitis : tinflammation of the rectum and anus.
Diarrhea : a condition in which faeces are discharged from the bowels
frequently and in a liquid form.
Flatus: gas in or from the stomach or intestines.
Melena : the discharge of black, tarry, bloody stools, usually resulting
from a hemorrhage in the alimentary tract.

49

Contd..
Hemorrhoids: a swollen vein or group of
veins in the region of the anus.
anal fistula : is an abnormal connection
between the epithelialised surface of the anal
canal and the perianal skin.
Steatorrhoea : Excessive discharge of fat in
the feces.

50

Surgical Terms
Abdominocentesis

Cholelithotripsy

Incision into the intestinal

tract to relieve fluid
pressure as in ascites

Crushing of gallstones
using sound waves

Cholelithotomy
Incision for the removal of
stones

Surgical Repair Procedures

Cheiloplasty

Esophagoplasty

Glossorrhaphy

Proctoplasty
51

Procedures Requiring Removal

Surgical
Terms Part
2 Removed
Term
Part (s)
glossectomy

tongue

polypectomy

polyps

appendectomy

appendix

cholecystectomy

gallbladder

gastrectomy

stomach

colectomy

colon

hemorrhoidectomy

hemorrhoids

pancreatectomy

pancreas

52

Openings may be made in the gastrointestinal

tract for temporary or permanent alternatives to
waste elimination.

Surgical Terms Part 3

ileostomy

-opening made in the

ileum to allow fecal
material to discharge
into a bag outside the
body

colostomy

-opening in the colon

to create a place for
waste to exit the body
other than through the
anus
53

Pharmacological
Terms
Medications Used to Treat the Digestive System
Antacid
Neutralizes stomach acid
(ex. Pepcid)

Antiemetic
Prevents regurgitation
(ex. Tigan)

Antidiarrheal
Controls loose stools
(ex. Kaopectate)

Antispasmodic
Calms spasms of the GI tract
(ex. Robinul)

54

Pharmacological
Terms
Medications Used to Treat the
Digestive System
(contd)
Part 2
Cathartic
Causes vomiting
Relieves constipation

Laxative
Relieves constipation

55

Apply
Your
Knowledge
Which of the
following
structures is a part of the
small intestine?

A. cecum
B. sigmoid colon
C. ileum

Answer: C. ileum
56

Apply Your Knowledge

Which of the following is the site where
Part
2 begins?
digestion
A. mouth
B. stomach
C. duodenum

Answer: A. mouth
57

Apply Your Knowledge

Part 3
Locate the following
structures on this
diagram:

stomach, liver, gallbladder,

large intestine, small
intestines, anus, pancreas,
duodenum and rectum

Answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

rectum
anal canal
large intestine
small intestine
duodenum
gall bladder
liver
stomach
pancreas

7.

8.
9.

6.
5.

4.

3.

2.

1.
58

Apply
Your
Knowledge
Mrs. Jones
has recently
had a cholecystectomy
and she receives specific dietary instructions
from her
Part
4 physician. Which of the following food
types might she be instructed to avoid?
A. fatty foods
B. meats
C. sweets
Answer: A. fatty foods because she will have
limited bile which is needed to breakdown
the fats
59

Apply Your Knowledge

James has been vomiting off and on for the past
Part
5 He goes to the local emergency room
8 hours.
for treatment. Which of the following
medications might he receive?
A. antiemetic
B. cathartic
C. antacid
Answer: A. antiemetic
60