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THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM HEALTH TERMS: Digestion: the mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods for body’s cell Absorption: the passage of digested food from digestive tract into circulatory system Elimination: the expulsion of undigested food or body wastes Ingestion: the taking of food into the body—earliest stage of digestion Mastication: the process of chewing Peristalsis: a series of involuntary muscular contractions that move food through the digestive tract Gastric Juices: secretions from the stomach lining that contains pepsin & hydrochloric acid Chyme: a creamy fluid mixture of food and gastric juices Bile: a yellowish-greenish bitter fluid important in breakdown of fats- excreted from the liver Villi: finger-like projections that line the small intestine that aid in peristalsis & contain Capillaries that extract nutrients from chyme Indigestion: burning discomfort in upper abdomen—heartburn Appendicitis: inflammation of the appendix Peptic Ulcer: sore in the lining of the digestive tract FUNCTIONS of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Digestion o Breakdown of food Mechanical Chemical Absorption o Nutrients occurs in the Small Intestines By way of the villi o Any leftover fluid/ moisture occurs in the Large Intestines Elimination o Any food not broken down exits as waste (Poop) STRUCTURE of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Path of Food o Mouth Ingestion- taking of food into the body Digestion begins o Teeth Responsible for the mechanical breakdown of food Mastication- the process of chewing Prepares the food to be swallowed o Salivary Glands Responsible for the chemical breakdown of food Secretions of watery fluid that contains enzymes to soften and moisten food Converts carbohydrates to soluble form of sugar o Tongue Forms food into a ball (bolus) to prepare for swallowing Responsible for wave-like motions that begin process of swallowing o Uvula Flap of skin suspended from the back of your mouth Closes over nasal passage when swallowing o Epiglottis Flap of tissue that covers the trachea Closes to keep food from entering the respiratory system o Esophagus Muscular tube that extends from the pharynx to the stomach Situated behind the trachea and the heart ~10 inches long with two sphincter muscles- one on each end Peristalsis- a series of involuntary muscular contractions- moves food through the digestive tract- starts in the esphogus o Stomach Hollow, saclike organ enclosed in a muscular wall Consists of three layers of muscles Continues the breakdown of Food Serves as a storage organ for food until it is ready to enter sm. Intestine Mixes food with gastric juices Called Chyme Pepsin & hydrochloric acid o Pepsin- enzyme that breaks down protein o Hydrochloric acid- kills bacteria & creates environment for Pepsin to do its work o Mucous lining inside stomach protects organ from digesting itself o Small Intestine Major part of digestion and absorption occurs here. 20-23 feet long, and 1 inch in diameter Consists of three parts Duodenum- Entrance for Chyme to the sm. intestine Jejunum- absorption takes place Ileum- opens into the large intestine Chyme takes 3-5 hours to move through Sm. Intestines Lined with millions of villi- fingerlike projections that absorb digested food particles to deliver nutrients to the body through the blood. o Large Intestine Unabsorbed material leaves the small intestine in the form of liquid and fiber into the large intestine. A.K.A. colon 5-6 feet long, and 2.5 inches in diameter Movement of undigested material is very slow. Absorbs water back into the body to maintain hydration Home to harmless bacteria that changes the consistency of waste material to semi-solid—called feces Elimination of feces occurs through the rectum/ anus. Organs that Aid Digestion o Liver Second largest organ in your body Acts as body’s chemical factory Regulates the levels of most chemicals in your blood Absorbs substances, changes their chemical structure, makes them water soluble Excretes changed substance in Bile- yellowish-green, bitter fluid important in breakdown of fats o Gall Bladder Storage organ for bile Small, pear-shaped sac—3-4 inches long, located under the liver Releases bile into the small intestine to aid in breakdown of fat. o Pancreas Also a part of the endocrine system (it is considered a gland) Produces hormone Insulin, to regulate blood sugar. CARE of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Eat a Variety of Foods Avoid Fried foods Choose foods low in fat and high in fiber Do not hurry through meals Do not wash food down with liquid—swallow first, then take a sip Drink plenty of water. Do not eat while under stress. PROBLEMS of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Functional Problems o Indigestion Burning discomfort in the upper abdomen Accompanies buildup of gas and nausea Caused by eating too much, eating too fast, eating certain foods, stomach disorders, or stress o Heartburn Burning pain in the center of the chest AKA acid reflux Caused by weak sphincter muscle that connects the esophagus and stomach—irritating stomach acids overflow into the esophagus causing burning sensation o Gas Excess gas in the system Causes discomfort due to certain foods o Nausea Feeling of distress, fullness and weakness and often precedes vomiting Caused by motion, pathogens, medicines, drugs, or other substances in the stomach Vomiting is a reflex response that provides a built-in protection in case one swallows a foreign substance Vomiting is result of reverse peristalsis o Diarrhea Condition in which feces are watery and are expelled frequently Food residue passes too quickly through the large intestines, keeping the large intestine from absorbing enough water Causes include change in eating style, food poisoning, overeating, emotional turmoil, nutritional deficiencies, viral and bacterial infections. Remain hydrated. Medical help may be necessary o Constipation Condition in which feces become hard and dry. Bowel movements are difficult Too much water is absorbed in the large intestines Caused by lack of fiber, erratic eating habits, drinking too little water, or lack of exercise. Remain hydrated Medical help may be necessary Structural Problems o Gallstones Small crystals that form in the gallbladder when an upset occurs in the chemical composition of the bile Can possibly block the bile duct to the sm. Intestines causing back pain If there is no pain, they can be left alone; or can be treated with medicine that dissolve them When pain is severe, stones can be shattered with ultrasound shock-wave, or gallbladder can be surgically removed o Appendicitis Inflammation of the appendix (3-4 inch extension of the large instestine) When bacteria or foreign matter lodges in the appendix it becomes blocked, swollen & fills with puss If appendix ruptures, infection spreads into the abdomen— extremely serious—sepsis occurs (poisoning) Symptoms include pain and cramps in lower right quadrant of the abdomen, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting Medical care is necessary—surgical removal of appendix o Gastrititis Most common disorder of the digestive system Inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the stomach Caused by irritation from certain foods, asprin, tobacco smoke, alcohol or by bacterial infection Medication may be prescribed—something that coats the stomach o Lactose Intolerance Inability for small intestine to produce enzyme, Lactase, that breaks down the Lactose sugar Abdominal cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea result from undigested, fermented Lactose Avoid Dairy foods; however fermented milk products i.e. yogurt can be eaten without a problem o Peptic Ulcer A sore in the lining o f the digestive tract Factors that increase risk of ulcer include regular use of asprin, ibuprofen, and other drugs, smoking, and bacterial infection Symptoms include a gnawing pain in the abdomen when stomach is empty. Can be treated with medicines that neutralize or reduce stomach acids or with antibiotics. o Colitis Inflammation of the Colon Could be caused by a virus, an amoeba, a bacterium, or stress Symptoms include diarrhea (usually with blood and mucous), abdominal pain, sometimes fever. Medical treatment recommended o Hemorrhoids Swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus Result of increased pressure in the veins Most common in people who sit a lot, pregnant women after childbirth, constipated people Regular exercise and eating fiber-rich foods can reduce risk of developing hemorrhoids o Tooth Decay Weakens tooth and affects person’s bite and how they chew food. Brush your teeth