Digestive

SystemPHS

Warm-up—answer on your own sheet of paper and

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What are three things needed for a fire?

What two types of fire extinguishers would put out an electrical fire?

What is the appropriate way to check an infant for responsiveness?

When splinting an injured extremity, it is important to check for _____________ before and after splinting.

You are babysitting your 6 month old cousin and she starts to choke. What should you do to help her?

Digestive System

Gastrointestinal System

Consists of Alimentary Canal and

accessory organs

Physical and chemical breakdown of

food

Nutrients are taken into the bloodstream

and used by the body cells and tissues

Oral cavitypharynx

Alimentary Canal

Long muscular tube

Begins at the mouth and ends at the anus

Includes

Mouth

Begins chemical and physical digestion

Tongue

Muscular organ that aids in chewing and swallowing

Teeth—physical breakdown of food

Salivary glands—produces saliva that contains

enzymes that chemically breakdown food.

Alimentary Canal Pharynx

Tube that carries air to the trachea and food to the

esophagus

Epiglottis: prevents food from entering the respiratory

tract

Esophagus

Muscular tube behind the trachea

Relies on peristalsis to move food forward

Receives food bolus from pharynx

Carries bolus to stomach

Mouth

Stomach

Largest area of the

alimentary canal

Receives food from

the esophagus

Food usually remains

1-4 hours

Secretes gastric

juices

Food is converted

into semi fluid

material

Chyme

Small Intestine• ~20 feet in length

• ~1 in in diameter

• Divided into 3

sections:

• Duodenum

• Jejunum

• Ileum

• Receives chyme

from the stomach

• Digestion is

complete

• Absorbs nutrients

Large Intestine• Final section of the

alimentary canal

• ~ 5 ft in length

• ~2 ft in diameter

• Absorbs water and

remaining nutrients

• Stores indigestible

materials

• Transports waste out of the

body

• Divided into the colon,

rectum and anus

Anus

• Fecal material leaves the body here

Accessory Organs

Salivary glands

Saliva—moistens food for easy swallowing

Contains enzyme that begins breakdown of

carbohydrates

Tongue

Teeth

Physically breaks down food

Liver

Gallbladder

Pancreas

Accessory Organs

Liver

• Largest gland in the

body

• RUQ of abdomen

• Secretes bile

• Emulsifies fats in digestive tract

• Stores sugar, Fe and

other vitamins

• Produces heparin

(blood thinner) and

prothrombin (helps

blood to clot)

• Produces cholesterol

• Detoxifies alcohol, pesticides & other

substances

Gallbladder

• Small, muscular

sac

underneath the

liver

• Stores and

concentrates

bile

• Contracts and

pushes bile

through the

common bile

duct and into

the duodenum

• Bile emulsifies

fats in the

digestive tract

Pancreas

• Located behind

the stomach

• Produces

pancreatic juices to

help in food

digestion• Pancreatic juices

enter the

duodenum through

the pancreatic

duct

• Produces insulin• Regulates the

metabolism of

carbohydrates to

convert glucose

into energy

Digestive

Diseases and

Disorders!!

Appendicitis—

• Symptoms:• Generalized abdominal pain

• Pain later localizes to LRQ

• Nausea and vomiting

• Mild fever

• Elevated white blood cell count

• If the appendix ruptures, infectious material spills into

the peritoneal cavity, causing peritonitis

• Treatment:

• Appendectomy• What’s an appendectomy?

Acute inflammation of the

appendix due to obstruction and

infection

Hiatal Hernia

• Hernia: occurs when

an internal organ

pushes through a

weakened area or

natural opening in a

body wall

• Hiatal hernia• Stomach protrudes

through the

diaphragm and into

the chest cavity

• Symptoms• Heartburn• Stomach distention

• Chest pain• Difficulty swallowing

Pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas

Pancreas becomes necrotic, inflamed and edematous due to the enzymes beginning to digest the pancreas itself

Causes:

Excessive alcohol consumption

Gallstones (blocking pancreatic duct)

Idiopathic (cause unknown)

Symptoms

Severe abdominal pain radiating to the back

Nausea and vomiting

Diaphoresis

Jaundice (if common bile duct blocked)

Pancreatitis

Treatment

Cholecystectomy

Removal of gallbladder

Performed if gallstones are the cause

Analgesics

For pain

Nutritional Support

If pancreatitis is due to alcoholism or idiopathic

POOR PROGNOSIS AND OFTEN RESULTS IN DEATH

Gastroenteritis An inflammation of the mucous membranes that

line the stomach and intestinal tracts

Causes

Food poisoning

Infection

toxins

Symptoms

Abd cramping, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea

Treatment

Rest, increase fluids, hospitalization as needed

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder

Cholelithiasis—formation of gallstones from

crystallized cholesterol, bile salts and bile pigments

Symptoms

Indigestion, nausea and vomiting

Pain that starts under rib cage and radiates to right

shoulder

If bile duct blocked, the gallbladder can rupture and

cause peritonitis

Cholecystitis

Treatment

Low fat diet

Lithotripsy

Shock waves that are used to shatter

gallstones

Cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder

Hepatitis—inflammation of the

liver Type A (infectious hepatitis)

Transmitted in food or water contaminated by

the feces of an infected person

Type B (serum hepatitis)

Transmitted by blood and serum

More serious than A

can lead to cirrhosis

and chronic hepatitis

Other types identified

types C,D &E

Hepatitis Symptoms

Fever

Anorexia

Nausea & vomiting

Fatigue

Dark colored urine

Clay colored stool

Enlarged liver

jaundice

Treatment

Rest

Diet high in protein and

calories

Diet low in fat

Liver transplant if severe

damage

Prevent further damage

Avoid alcohol

Constipation Fecal material remains too long in colon

Excessive reabsorption of water takes place

Feces become hard, dry and difficult to pass

Causes

Poor bowel habits

Chronic laxative use leads

to lazy bowel

Diet low in fiber

Treatment

High fiber diet

Adequate fluid intake

Exercise

Bowel medications as needed

Diarrhea

Frequent watery

stools

Cause

Infection

Stress

Diet

Irritated bowel

Toxic substances

Treatment

Eliminate cause

Adequate fluid

intake

Modify diet

Hemorrhoids Painful, dilated or varicose veins of the rectum

and/or anus

Causes

Straining to defecate

Constipation

Pressure during pregnancy

Insufficient fluid intake

Laxative abuse

Prolonged sitting

Symptoms

Pain, itching bleeding

Treatment—Sitz bath, moist compresses, stool softeners, hemorrhoidectomy, diet changes

Diagnostic Tests

Colostomy