1. Health Occupations
Digestive System

2. Digestive/Gastrointestinal System
Consists of organs making up ALIMENTARY CANAL
From mouth to anus
30 feet long
Not a sterile system – open to environment at both ends
Process includes
Transportation of food & wastes
Physical & chemical breakdown of food
Absorption of digested food
Elimination of wastes
Helps to maintain proper amounts of water, nutrients, electrolytes

3. Definitions Digestion Absorption
Process of changing food into a usable substance
Absorption
Transfer of nutrients into the blood

4. Organs of the Digestive System
Mouth
A. Food enters alimentary canal – INGESTION
B. Teeth – bite & chew food to physically break it down
C. Tongue – tastes, chews (MASTICATION), & helps swallow (DEGLUTITION)
D. Hard palate – anterior roof of mouth
E. Soft palate – posterior roof of mouth, not attached to bone

5. F. Uvula – small piece of tissue at back to mouth to prevent food from entering nasal cavity during chewing
G. Process of mastication
1. As food is chewed – mixes with
saliva
2. 3 salivary glands – secrete
amylase to begin chemical breakdown of
food (enzyme – protein that increases the
rate of chemical activity in body)
a. Parotid
b. Sublingual
c. Submandibular

6. H. Begins the transformation of starch to sugar
I. Bolus – portion of food, mixed with saliva, that is swallowed
Pharynx – 3 parts – nasopharnyx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx
A. Food passes through oropharynx from mouth to esophagus
B. Epiglottis closes so you don’t inhale food/drink
Esophagus
A. Tube like structure carrying food from mouth to stomach
B. Peristalsis – movement of food down esophagus with slow, wavelike movements

7. Stomach
A. Bolus mixes with HCL & enzymes pepsin & lipase to become CHYME (semifluid material)
1. Pepsin – starts protein digestion
2. Lipase – starts fat digestion
3. HCL – kills bacteria, helps iron
absorption, activates pepsin
4. Rennin – in infants, helps milk
digestion, not present in adults
5. Direct absorption – alcohol, glucose,
some drugs via stomach walls

8. 6. Cardiac sphincter – valve preventing chyme from flowing back
into esophagus
7. Pyloric sphincter – controls flow
of chyme into intestines. Takes 1-4
hours for stomach to empty into
intestines

9. 5. Small Intestine
Coiled section about 20 feet long, 1 inch in diameter
3 sections
1. Duodenum – 1st 9-10 inches where bile from gall bladder & liver & pancreatic juices enter through ducts
2. Jejunum – 8 feet in length, middle section
3. Ileum – final 12 feet, connects with large intestine at cecum

10. Ileum
Ileocecal valve – separates ileum & cecum, prevents food from returning to ileum
Digestion completed in small intestine, products are absorbed into bloodstream
Intestinal juices produced by small intestine, contains enzymes that break down sugars into simple forms (maltase, sucrase, lactase)
Also has pepsidases – protein digestion
Steapsin – aids in fat digestion
Bile – from liver & gall bladder to physically break down fats

11. Ileum Pancreatic enzymes – complete process of breaking down food
Pancreatic amylase – sugar
Trypsin/chymotrypsin – proteins
Lipase/steapsin – fats
Villi – small fingerlike projections lining walls of small intestine – contain capillaries & lacteals
Capillaries – absorb nutrients & carry to liver for storage or released into circulation
Lacteals – absorb fat & carry to thoracic duct of lymph system to be released into circulation
Only wastes, indigestibles, & water are left

12. 6. Large Intestine
Final section, 5 feet in length, 2 inches in diameter
Functions
Absorb water & other nutrients
Stores indigestible materials before elimination
Synthesizes & absorbs B vitamins & Vitamin K by bacteria
Transports wastes out

13. C. Divided into a series of connected sections
1. Cecum – 1st section, connected to ileum, contains appendix
2. Colon – 4 parts
a. Ascending – up right side of body
to lower liver
b. Transverse – across abd below
liver & stomach, above sm intestine
c. Descending – down left side of body
d. Sigmoid – S shaped section, joins with
rectum

14. e. Rectum – final 6 – 8 inches, stores wastes & indigestibles
f. Anal canal – narrow canal at end,
opening into anus where wastes are
expelled through

15. 7. Peritoneum Flat serous membrane surrounding abdominal cavity
Lubricates & prevents friction between organs
Mesentary – fan-shaped projection of peritoneum that contains blood vessels & nerves
1. binds to abdominal organs to keep them in place

16. 8. Accessary Organs Liver – largest gland in body
Located under diaphragm in RUQ
Secretes bile – emulsify fats & makes them water soluble to be absorbed
Stores sugar – glycogen, converts to glucose & released to bloodstream when extra sugar is needed
Stores iron & vitamins
Produces heparin, fibrinogen, & prothrombin – prevent clotting of blood
Detoxifies substances like alcohol & pesticides
Destroys bacteria taken into blood by intestine

17. B. Gallbladder
Small muscular sac located under liver, attached by connective tissue
Stores & concentrates bile (receives from liver)
Contracts when bile is needed to emulsify fats, bile goes through the common bile duct & into duodenum

18. C. Pancreas Gland located behind stomach
Produces pancreatic juices – contain enzymes to digest food
Pancreatic juices enter duodenum through pancreatic duct
Produces insulin which regulates metabolism, burning of carbs to convert glucose to energy

19. Parotid gland
Esophagus
Cardiac sphincter
Stomach
Pancreas
Transverse colon
Descending colon
Sigmoid colon
Rectum
Anus
Appendix
Cecum
Ileum
Ascending colon
Duodenum
Pyloric sphincter
Gall bladder
Liver
Larynx
Pharynx

20. Appendicitis
Acute inflammation of appendix, usually from obstruction & infection
Symptoms
Generalized abd pain, later localizing in RLQ
N & V
Mild fever
Elevated WBC
If ruptures, infectious material spills into peritoneum & causes peritonitis
TX - appendectomy

21. Cholecystitis
Inflammation of gallbladder where gallstones form (cholelithiasis)
Symptoms occur after fatty meal
Indigestion, N & V
Pain under ribcage, radiates to right shoulder
If gallstones block bile ducts, gallbladder can rupture
Tx – low fat diet, lithotripsy, cholecystectomy

22. Cirrhosis
Chronic destruction of liver cells with formation of fibrous connective & scar tissue
Causes –
Hepatitis
Bile duct disease
Chemical toxins
Malnutrition associated with alcoholism
Symptoms
Liver enlargement
Anemia
Indigestion, N & V
Nosebleeds
Jaundice
Ascites

23. Cirrhosis Tx – Prevent more damage to liver Avoid alcohol
Good nutrition
Supplements
Rest
Infection prevention
Appropriate exercise

24. Constipation Fecal material remains in colon too long
Causes excessive reabsorption of water
Stool – hard, dry, difficult to eliminate
Causes –
Poor bowel habits
Chronic laxative use
Low fiber diet
Digestive diseases TX
High fiber diet
Adequate fluids & exercise
Occasional laxatives

25. Diarrhea Condition with frequent watery stools Causes Tx Infection
Stress
Diet
Irritated colon
Toxic substances
Very dangerous in young Tx
Eliminating cause
Adequate fluids
Modifying diet

26. Diverticulitis
Inflammation of diverticula (pouches that form in intestine as mucosal lining pushes through surrounding muscle)
Fecal material & bacteria become trapped in diverticula, creating inflammation
Result – abscess formation or rupture
Symptoms – vary with level of inflammation
Abd pain, N & V
Irregular BM
Flatus, constipation, diarrhea
Abd distension
Low grade fever

27. Diverticulitis Tx
Antibiotics
Stool softeners
Pain meds
surgery

28. Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of mucous membrane lining stomach & intestine
Causes
Food poisoning
Infection
toxins Sx
Abd cramping, N & V
Fever & diarrhea Tx
Rest, fluids
Antibiotics, IV
Meds to slow peristalsis

29. Hemorrhoids Painful, dilated or varicose veins of rectum or anus
Causes –
Straining to defecate
Constipation
Pressure during pregnancy
Insufficient fluids
Laxative abuse
Prolonged sitting or standing

30. Hemorrhoids Sx Tx Pain Itching bleeding High fiber diet
Increased fluids
Stool softeners
Sitz baths or warm moist compresses
hemorrhoidectomy

31. Hepatitis Viral inflammation of liver
Type A – highly contagious, transmitted in food or water contaminated by feces of infected person, vaccine available
Type B – transmitted by blood, can lead to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, vaccine available
Other strains
SX – fever, anorexia, N & V, fatigue, dark colored urine, clay-colored stools, enlarged liver, jaundice
TX – rest, diet high in protein & calories but low in fat, may need liver transplant

32. Hernia
Rupture, occurring when internal organ pushes through a weakened area or natural opening in a body wall
Hiatal hernia – stomach protrudes through diaphragm into chest cavity or esophagus – see heartburn, abd distention, chest pain, difficult swallowing
Tx – bland diet, small freq meals, staying upright after meals, surgery

33. Inguinal hernia Protrudes through lower abd wall
Sometimes can be reduced (pushed back into place)
Surgery

34. Pancreatitis
Inflammation of pancreas where pancreatic enzymes begin to digest the pancreas itself
Pancreas becomes necrotic, inflamed, & edematous
Can lead to shock & hemorrhage if it extends into blood vessels
Causes – excessive alcohol
Gallstones
idiopathic

35. Pancreatitis Sx – Tx Severe abd pain radiating to back N & V
Diaphoresis
jaundice Tx
Depends on cause
Pain control
Nutritional support
Surgery

36. Peritonitis Inflammation of peritoneal cavity
Usually occurs when intestine ruptures & allows contents to enter peritoneum
Common cause – ruptured appendix or gallbladder
Sx – abd pain, distension, N & V, fever
Tx – antibiotics, surgical repair

37. Ulcer Open sore on lining of digestive tract
May be gastric (stomach) or intestinal (Duodenal)
H. Pylori – bacteria that burrows into stomach membranes and allow acids & digestive juices to create an ulcer Sx
Burning pain, indigestion
Hematemesis
Melena

38. Ulcer TX Antacids Bland diet Decreased stress
Avoid irritants (alcohol, fried foods, tobacco, caffeine)
With H.Pylori – give antibiotics & Pepto-Bismol
Severe - surgery

39. Ulcerative colitis
Severe inflammation of colon accompanied by formation of ulcers & abscesses
Causes – stress, food allergy, autoimmune
Sx – bloody diarrhea
Pus, mucous
Weight loss
Weakness
Abd pain, anorexia
Anemia
Periods of remission & exacerbation

40. Ulcerative colitis Tx Control inflammation Reduce stress
Good nutrition
Avoid irritants
May need surgery & colostomy

41. Alactasia Lactose intolerance
Don’t produce enough lactase & so unabsorbed lactose ferments in intestines – gas, cramps, diarrhea
Tx – decrease dairy intake or take lactase supplements

42. Food poisoning
Common, includes 300 illnesses transmitted by food (I.e. salmonella, listeria) Sx HA
Unrelenting diarrhea
N & V
Fever
Tx - antibiotics

43. Mumps Viral infection of parotid glands
Most common in 5 – 15 year olds
Parotids painfully swell
Can damage reproductive organs if older
Treat symptoms, no cure, runs its course

44. Phenylketonuria
PKU
Inherited disease that can lead to mental retardation if untreated
1/8000 babies
Causes abn metabolism of proteins
SX – irritability in infant, restless, eventually leads to convulsions
TX – diet modification & routine blood work
All babies are tested

45. Pyloric stenosis Constricted pyloric sphincter
Doesn’t allow food to easily pass into small intestine
1/4000 infants
Sx – projectile vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss
TX - surgery