WEEK 8: OCTOBER 12 Chapter 8 The Digestive System

LEARNING OUTCOMES: On completion of this chapter you should be able to

identify and describe the major structures and functions of the digestive system.
Describe the processes of digestion, absorption, and metabolism. Recognize, define,
spell, and pronounce terms related to the pathology and the diagnostic and
treatment procedures of the digestive system.
LECTURE: The structures of the digestive system are also described as the
gastrointestinal tract. The upper GI tract consists of the mouth, esophagus, and the
stomach. The lower GI tract is made up of the small and large intestines, plus the
rectum and the anus. Accessory digestive organs of the digestive tract are so
named because they play a key role in the digestive process. The liver is a large
organ located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The liver removes
excess glucose, and stores in the form of glycogen. It also destroys old erythrocytes
removes, toxins from the blood and manufactures some blood proteins. Bilirubin
which is the pigment produced from the destruction of hemoglobin and is released
by the liver in bile. Bile, which aids in the digestion of fats, is a digestive juice
secreted by the liver. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ about the size of an
egg located under the liver. It stores and concentrates the bile for later use. The
pancreas has important roles in both the digestive and endocrine systems. The
digestive functions are discussed in your text. Digestion is the process by which
complex foods are broken down into nutrients in a form the body can use.
Metabolism includes all of the processes involved in the bodys use of nutrients.
The role of the stomach begins with the gastric juices to convert the partly digested
food into chyme. The small intestine converts food into usable nutrients . The
large intestine receives the waste products of digestion and store until they are
eliminated by the body. Medical specialists related to the system include bariatrics,
dentists, gastroenterologists, internists, orthodontists, periodontists, and
proctologists. Pathology of the system include ulcers, cheilosis, herpes labialis,
thrush, stomatomycosis, stomatorrhagia, trismus, xerostomia, cleft lip, cleft palate,
dental disease, dysphagia, reflux disease, pyrosis, varices hernias, gastritis,
gastroenteritis, gastrorrhea, and peptic ulcers. The above disorders are in detail in
your text. Eating disorders include anorexia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, cachexia,
and pica. Nutritional conditions include dehydration, malnutrition, and
malabsorption. Obesity is a term used to refer to those whose weight standards are
20%-30% over the established standards for the height, age, and gender.
Indigestion and vomiting disorders of the GI system. Other conditions in this area
are colorectal carcinoma, diverticulosis, diverticulitis , enteritis, ileus, irritable bowel
syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, crohns disease, intestinal
obstructions and anorectal disorders. These conditions are detailed in your text.
Liver disorder include hepatitis, hepatomegaly and jaundice. Cirrhosis is a
progressive degenerative disease of the liver that is often caused by excessive
alcohol use or by viral hepatitis B or C. Diagnostic procedures of the digestive

system are abdominal computed tomography, abdominal ultrasound , anoscopy,

capsule endoscopy, cholangiography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, , upper
GIseries, hemoccult test, and stool samples. Endoscope procedures include
colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and enema. Treatment procedures are medications,
surgery and ostomies. Look in your text for more detail on each procedure and
disorder.
WRAP UP: You have completed your chapter 8 when you have read and
completed the learning exercises. Review the vocabulary on the CD. Review your
learning outcomes and study until you are able to reach these outcomes. Take the
practice test and then log on and take your test in the presence of your proctor.
Your grade reflects how well you have retained the material in this chapter.