1. Medical Terminology Essentials – Chapter 14
The
Digestive
System
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2. After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Objectives
Objectives
After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Name the parts of the digestive system
Discuss the function of each part
Define combining forms relate to the digestive system
Define the major signs, symptoms and diseases.
Name the common diagnostic procedures, and tests.
Explain the meaning of common drug categories

3. Organs of the Digestive System

4. Structure and Function
Digestive System:
Also called:
GI or gastrointestinal tract
Alimentary canal
Digestive Tract

5. Structure and Function
Mouth: also called the oral cavity starts the process of digestion.
Chewing and saliva break down the food and forms it into a soft mass called a bolus.
The food is swallowed and a wave-like muscular contractions move the food down the esophagus

6. Structure and Function
Stomach: (gastr/o)
Muscular rings are located at the upper and lower ends of the stomach to allow the food to stay in the stomach so that digestion can continue.
The upper ring is called the cardiac sphincter
It also prevents food from moving back into the esophagus.
The lower muscular ring is called the pyloric sphincter.
Food in the stomach mixes with enzymes and acids as digestion proceeds

7. Structure and Function
Small Intestine:
The small intestine is made up of 3 parts: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum
As digested food moves through the small intestine, nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.

8. Structure and Function
The Large Intestines:
Cecum – first part of the large intestine
Appendix – small worm-like structure hangs off the cecum
Ascending colon - from the cecum, it goes up the right side of the abdomen
At the liver it become the Transverse colon - extends across the abdomen
Hepatic flexure

9. Structure and Function
At the spleen it becomes the Descending colon - descends down the left side of the abdomen
Splenic flexure
Sigmoid colon - the last 1/3 of the descending colon
Rectum – at the end of the sigmoid colon – it stores the feces
Anal canal – large intestine from the rectum to the anus

10. Structure and Function
Liver: (hepat/o) produces bile or gall which is the soap of the body because it breaks down fats.
Gallbladder: (cholecyst/o) stores the bile
Pancreas: (pancreat/o) functions as a digestive organ and an endocrine gland

11. Combining Forms Combining Form Meaning Abdonin(o) celi(o) an(o)
append(o)
Bil(i)
Cec(o)
abdomen
abdomen
anus
appendix
bile
cecum

12. Combining Forms Combining Form Meaning Cheil(o) Chol(e) Cholangi(o)
Cholecyst(o)
Choledoch(o)
Col(o); colon(o)
lip
Gall or bile
bile duct
gallbladder
Common bile duct
colon

13. Combining Forms Combining Form Meaning Enter(o) intestines Esophag(o)
Gastr(o)
Gloss(o)
lingu/(o)
Hepat(o)
intestines
esophagus
stomach
tongue
tongue
liver

14. Combining Forms Combining Form Meaning ile(o) lapar(o) lip(o) lith(o)
mastic(o)
or(o)
ileum
Abdominal wall
fat
stone
chewing
oral

15. Combining Forms Combining Form Meaning stomat(o) pancreat(o)
peps(o); pepsia
peritone(o)
phag(o)
pharyng(o)
Opening, stoma
pancreas
digestion
peritoneum
Eat or swallow
throat

16. Combining Forms Combining Form Meaning polyp(o) proct(o) pylor(o)
rect(o)
sial(o)
polyp
rectum
pylorus
rectum
saliva

17. Symptoms, Signs & Diseases
anorexia nervosa
Morbid refusal to eat
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix
bulimia
Bingeing and purging of food
cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gall bladder
cholelithiasis
Gall stones

18. Symptoms, Signs & Diseases
cirrhosis
Liver disease related to alcoholism
adenocarcinoma
Malignant epithelial cell tumor
constipation
Difficult or infrequent defecation
diarrhea
Loose, watery stool
dysentery
Parasite or protozoa caused inflammation of the colon
dyspepsia
Indigestion
dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing

19. Symptoms, Signs & Diseases
Enteritis
Inflammation of the small intestines
gastroesophageal reflux disease
Retrograde flow of gastric acid into the esophagus
gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums
hematemesis
Bloody vomit
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver
hiatal hernia
Protrusion of the stomach through the opening in the diaphragm

20. Symptoms, Signs & Diseases
hyperemesis
Excessive vomiting
jaundice
Yellowing of the skin D/T excessive bilirubin in the blood
peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum
polyp
Small growth that projects from the mucus membranes
Steatorrhea
Fat in the stool
ulcerative colitis
Inflammation of the colon with ulceration

21. Medical and Surgical Procedures
appendectomy
Removal of the appendix
cholescystectomy
Removal of the gall bladder
colostomy
Creating an opening into the colon
esophagoscopy
Examination of the esophagus with an endoscope

22. Medical and Surgical Procedures
sigmoidoscopy
Examination of the sigmoid colon with an endoscope
herniorrhaphy
Surgical repair of a hernia
gastroplasty
Repair of the stomach
polypectomy
Removal of polpys

23. Drug Categories antacid
Drug that neutralizes hydrochloric acid in the stomach - Maalox
Hydrogen ion (H2) blockers
Histamine H2 receptor antagonist - Tagamet
Anti-emetic
Prevents vomiting - Dramamine
laxative
A drug that promote bowel evacuation - Colace

24. What’s Next?
The Endocrine System