1. 6 Lecture Notes Digestive System
Classroom Activity to Accompany Medical Terminology Systems, Sixth Edition
Barbara A. Gylys ∙ Mary Ellen Wedding

2. Structure Oral cavity Pharynx Esophagus Stomach Small intestine6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Structure
Oral cavity
Teeth
Salivary glands
Pharynx
Esophagus
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine 2

3. Structure Accessory organs Liver Gallbladder Pancreas 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Structure
Accessory organs
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas 3

4. Function Organs of digestion break down food physically and chemically6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Function
Organs of digestion break down food physically and chemically
Prepare food for absorption by cells of the body
Digestive system eliminates waste substances 4

5. Structure and Function Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Structure and Function Exercise
Q: What is the oral cavity and what is its function?
A: The mouth and the first part of the digestive tract. It is where the chemical and mechanical process of digestion begins with teeth and salivary glands.
Q: Name the three parts of the small intestine and describe their locations.
A: First segment, the duodenum, is about 10 inches long. Second segment, the jejunum, is approximately 8 feet long. Third segment, the ileum, is about 12 feet long.
Q: Name the first four sections of the colon.
A: Ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. 5

6. Structure and Function Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Structure and Function Exercise
(continued)
Q: Describe the shape and location of the pancreas.
A: Elongated, somewhat flattened organ that lies posterior and slightly inferior to the stomach.
Q: Describe the location and main function of the gallbladder.
A: It is located on the inferior surface of the liver and stores bile. 6

7. Appendicitis Signs and Symptoms 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Appendicitis
Signs and Symptoms
Inflammation of appendix, usually due to obstruction or infection caused by a fecalith, foreign body, or bacteria.
Onset of symptoms include generalized abdominal pain followed by localized pain in upper right quadrant (URQ), nausea, vomiting, and anorexia.
Pain eventually settles over the appendix in the right lower abdomen (RLQ) with “board-like” rigidity, increased tenderness, and abdominal spasms. 7

8. Appendicitis Signs and Symptoms (continued) 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Appendicitis
Signs and Symptoms (continued)
Fever, malaise, diarrhea, or constipation and tachycardia are among the later signs and symptoms.
Sudden spontaneous relief of pain suggests a ruptured appendix. 8

9. Appendicitis Treatment 6 Appendectomy.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Appendicitis
Treatment
Appendectomy.
Surgery within 24 to 48 hours of first symptoms. Delay can result in rupture and peritonitis as fecal matter is released into the peritoneal cavity. 9

10. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
Q: A 35-year-old man presents to the ED with RLQ pain, rigid abdomen with increased tenderness and abdominal cramping. The physician suspects he is suffering from an inflammation of the appendage located off the cecum. An inflammation of the appendix is known as _________________.
A: appendicitis
Q: The physician recommends appendectomy and explains that a delay in surgery may result in rupture of the appendix. This can cause a serious infection of the abdominal cavity or peritoneum called ________________________.
A: peritonitis 10

11. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
(continued)
Q: Dr. G charts removal of the appendix as an __________________.
A: appendectomy
Q: Dr. J informs Joan that her appendicitis may be due to an obstruction or infection caused by a hard mass of fecal matter. This type of mass is known as a _______________.
A: fecalith 11

12. Diverticulitis Signs and Symptoms Acute inflammation of diverticula 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diverticulitis
Signs and Symptoms
Acute inflammation of diverticula 12

13. Diverticulitis Signs and Symptoms (continued)6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diverticulitis
Signs and Symptoms (continued)
Tenderness and pain in LLQ of abdomen.
Intensity of pain can fluctuate.
Cramping, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or a change in bowel habits may also be experienced.
Eventually abscess may form in tissues surrounding the colon. 13

14. Diverticulitis Treatment 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diverticulitis
Treatment
Focuses on clearing up the inflammation and infection, resting the colon, and preventing or minimizing complications.
Severe cases with acute pain and complications require a hospital stay. Most cases of severe diverticulitis are treated with IV antibiotics and a few days without food or drink to help the colon rest.
Some cases may require colon resection with a temporary colostomy while the colon heals.
A “colostomy animation” is available at the Student Resources section of DavisPlus site. 14

15. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
Q: Dr. X tells Ann that she has small, blister-like pockets in the inner lining of her large intestine. He tells her that these pockets are known as ____________________.
A: diverticula
Q: The nurse charts the Mr. J’s complaint of extreme constipation as ________________.
A: obstipation
Q: Mr. F is diagnosed for the third time with a severe case of diverticulitis. The physician explains that surgery is needed to remove the diverticula. This surgical procedure is called ____________________.
A: diverticulectomy 15

16. Cholelithiasis Signs and Symptoms6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Cholelithiasis
Signs and Symptoms
Cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis
Formation or presence of gallstones within the gallbladder or bile ducts. 16

17. Cholelithiasis Signs and Symptoms (continued) 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Cholelithiasis
Signs and Symptoms (continued)
Individuals with gallstones may remain asymptomatic.
Bile duct obstruction may result in a classic “gallbladder attack”; commonly referred to as biliary colic.
Acute onset of URQ abdominal pain that radiates to the shoulder and back.
Nausea and vomiting may accompany the attack.
Attacks typically tend to follow ingestion of large meals or fatty foods. 17

18. Cholelithiasis Treatment 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Cholelithiasis
Treatment
Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis.
If condition is asymptomatic, treatment is nonsurgical, unless symptoms reappear or unless there is a history of previous gallstones with complications.
Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, a non- surgical treatment. 18

19. Cholelithiasis Treatment (continued) 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Cholelithiasis
Treatment (continued)
Insertion of a flexible catheter, guided by fluoroscopy, directly to the stone. A Dormia (stone) basket is threaded through the catheter, opened, and twirled to entrap the stone. It is then closed and withdrawn.
Dissolving cholesterol-based stones by bile acid therapy. Existing stones may be decreased in size or dissolved completely. 19

20. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
Q: Ms. G presents with an acute onset of URQ abdominal pain that radiates to the shoulder and back, and complains of nausea and vomiting. Dr. J suspects a formation of gallstones in the gallbladder. The medical term for an abnormal condition of gallbladder stones is __________________________.
A: cholecystolithiasis
Q: The doctor explains that removal of the gallbladder is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. The surgical procedure for excision of the gallbladder is ___________________.
A: cholecystectomy
Q: Mr. F is scheduled for ultrasound to pulverize his gallstones. This
nonsurgical treatment, which is abbreviated ESWL, is defined as ________________________________________________.
A: extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 20

21. Medical Vocabulary ascites borborygmus dysentery dyspepsia dysphagia6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical Vocabulary
ascites
borborygmus
dysentery
dyspepsia
dysphagia
enterologist
esophagogastroduodenoscopy
A “GERD animation” is available at the Student Resources section of DavisPlus site. 21

22. Medical Vocabulary (continued) hyperemesis jaundice laparoscopic6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical Vocabulary
(continued)
hyperemesis
jaundice
laparoscopic
proctologist
ptyalism
sublingual
volvulus
Note: To customize or add other disorders to your presentation, numerous images are available from the image bank. 22

23. Diagnostic Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diagnostic Procedures
Endoscopy
Visual examination of the interior of organs and cavities with a specialized lighted instrument called an endoscope. 23

24. Diagnostic Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diagnostic Procedures
(continued)
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is an examination of only the lower third of the colon.
Colonoscopy is an examination of the entire length of the colon. 24

25. Diagnostic Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Diagnostic Procedures
(continued)
Barium enema (BE)
Barium swallow
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound (US) 25

26. Word Building Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Word Building Exercise
Q: Visual examination of the sigmoid colon:
A: sigmoidoscopy
Q: Instrument for examining interior organs and cavities:
A: endoscope
Q: Visual examination of the colon:
A: colonoscopy
Q: Visual examination of within interior organs and cavities:
A: endoscopy
Q: Visual examination of the rectosigmoid colon:
A: proctosigmoidoscopy 26

27. Medical and Surgical Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical and Surgical Procedures
Bariatric surgery
A. Vertical banded gastroplasty 27

28. Medical and Surgical Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical and Surgical Procedures
(continued)
Bariatric surgery
B. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
(RGB) 28

29. Medical and Surgical Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical and Surgical Procedures
(continued)
Colostomy
Creation of an opening into the colon (through the surface of the abdomen).
A “colostomy animation” is available at the Student Resources section of DavisPlus site. 29

30. Medical and Surgical Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical and Surgical Procedures
Colostomy (continued)
May be permanent or temporary.
Performed as treatment for cancer or diverticulitis.
Colostomy allows elimination of feces into a bag attached through the skin. 30

31. Medical and Surgical Procedures6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Medical and Surgical Procedures
(continued)
Polypectomy
Excision of small tumorlike, benign growths (polyps) that project from a mucous membrane surface. 31

32. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
Q: Ms. K is diagnosed with colorectal CA. The physician explains that an opening of the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside surface will be created. This enables fecal mater to be collected in an attached pouch. The surgical procedure to create an opening (mouth) of the colon is called a _______________.
A: colostomy
Q: Dr. Jones discovers polyps during a colonoscopy. What surgical procedure does the doctor perform to remove the polyps?
A: polypectomy
Q: The nurse explains to the weight-loss group that surgical procedures are available to treat morbid obesity. The surgical specialty that treats morbid obesity is called ___________ _____________.
A: bariatric surgery 32

33. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
(continued)
Q: The nurse explains to the bariatric surgical patient the procedure for a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. What is the abbreviation for this weight-loss surgery?
A: RGB
Q: The doctor explains one option to treat morbid obesity. The surgeon staples the upper stomach near the esophagus to reduce it to a small pouch followed by the insertion of a band to restrict food consumption. This is known as __________________________________.
A: vertical banded gastroplasty 33

34. Pharmacology Antacids Antidiarrheals Antiemetics Laxatives 6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Pharmacology
Antacids
Antidiarrheals
Antiemetics
Laxatives 34

35. Clinically Related Exercise6
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Clinically Related Exercise
Q: Mrs. J complains of nausea and vomiting for the past 3 days. The medication prescribed will control nausea and vomiting by blocking nerve impulses to the vomiting center of the brain. This medication is known as a/an (antacid, antidiarrheal, antiemetic).
A: antiemetic
Q: Mrs. S is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. She is instructed to increase fluid intake and is prescribed a drug that will control her loose bowel movements. The drug is known as a/an (antacid, antidiarrheal, antiemetic).
A: antidiarrheal
Q: A patient diagnosed with excessive stomach acid is treated with a/an (antacid, laxative, antiemetic).
A: antacid 35