CHAPTER GOALS

Name the organs of the digestive system and

describe their locations.
Define combining forms for organs and know
the meaning of related terminology.
Describe signs, symptoms and disease
conditions affecting the digestive system.

INGESTION AND DIGESTION

Ingestion food materials taken into the mouth
Digestion food is broken down, mechanically
and chemically, as it travels through the
gastrointestinal tract.
Digestive enzymes aid the breakdown of complex
nutrients.

Proteins amino acids

Sugars glucose
Fats fatty acids or triglycerides

ABSORPTION
Digested food passes into the
bloodstream through lining cells of the
small intestine.
Nutrients travel to all cells of the body.
Cells burn nutrients to release the
energy stored in food.

ELIMINATION
The body eliminates solid waste
materials that cannot be absorbed into
bloodstream.
The large intestine concentrates feces.
The wastes pass out of the body through
the anus.

THE DIGESTIVE TRACT

PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Signs and symptoms
Anorexia lack of appetite
Ascites abnormal accumulation of fluid in the
abdomen
Borborygmus (plural: borborygmi) rumbling or
gurgling noise produced by the movement of gas,
fluid, or both in the GI tract
Constipation difficulty in passing stools
Diarrhea frequent passage of loose, watery stools

PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Dysphagia difficulty in swallowing
Eructation gas expelled from the stomach through the
mouth
Flatus gas expelled through the anus
Hematochezia passage of fresh, bright red blood from
the rectum
Jaundice (icterus) yellow-orange coloration of the
skin and whites of the eyes caused by high levels of
bilirubin in the blood

PATHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Melena black, tarry stools; feces containing
digested blood
Nausea unpleasant sensation in the stomach
associated with a tendency to vomit
Steatorrhea fat in the feces; frothy, foulsmelling fecal matter

ORAL CAVITY

ORAL CAVITY

ORAL CAVITY

ORAL CAVITY: SALIVARY GLANDS

PHARYNX: DEGLUTITION

PATHOLOGIC CONDITIONS:
ORAL CAVITY AND TEETH
Aphthous stomatitis inflammation of the mouth with small,
painful ulcers

Dental caries tooth decay
Herpetic stomatitis inflammation of the mouth by infection
with the herpes virus
Oral leukoplakia white plaques or patches
Periodontal disease inflammation and degeneration of the
gums, teeth and surrounding bone

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Achalasia failure of the lower esophagus sphincter
(LES) muscle to relax

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Esophageal cancer malignant tumor of the
esophagus

Esophageal varices swollen, varicose veins at

the lower end of the esophagus

Gastric carcinoma malignant tumor of the

stomach

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)
solids and fluids return
to the mouth from the
stomach

Peptic ulcer open sore
or lesion of the mucous
membrane of the
stomach or duodenum

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Hernia protrusion of an organ or part through the
muscle normally containing it

QUICK QUIZ:

3. Which terms means swallowing
A. Mas<ca<on
B. Deglu<<on
C. Emulsica<on
D. Peristalsis

PARTS OF THE STOMACH

SMALL INTESTINE
Villi in the lining of the small intestine

LARGE INTESTINE

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
[Small and Large Intestines]

Anal fistula abnormal tube-like

passageway near the anus
Colonic polyposis polyps protrude
from the mucous membrane of the
colon

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Colorectal cancer adenocarcinoma of the colon
or rectum or both

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Crohn disease chronic inflammation of the
intestinal tract
Diverticulosis abnormal side pockets
(outpouchings) in the intestinal wall

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Dysentery painful, inflamed intestines
Hemorrhoids swollen, twisted, varicose veins
in the rectal region
Ileus failure of peristalsis with resulting
obstruction of the intestines
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
inflammation of the colon and small intestine

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Intussusception telescoping of the intestines
IBS irritable bowel syndrome group of
gastrointestinal symptoms associated with
stress and tension
Ulcerative colitis chronic inflammation of the
colon with the presence of ulcers
Volvulus twisting of the intestines on itself

QUICK QUIZ:

2. Which term is the rst part of the large

intes<ne?
A. Cecum
B. Duodenum
C. Jejunum
D. Pylorus

LIVER, GALLBLADDER & PANCREAS

LIVER, GALLBLADDER & PANCREAS

The pancreas and its functions

LIVER, GALLBLADDER & PANCREAS

Besides producing bile, the
liver:

Helps maintain normal blood

glucose levels
Manufactures blood proteins
necessary for cloNng
Releases bilirubin, a pigment in
bile
Removes toxins and poisons from
the blood

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LIVER, GALLBLADDER & PANCREAS
Cholelithiasis gallstones in the gallbladder

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS:
LIVER, GALLBLADDER & PANCREAS
Cirrhosis chronic degenerative disease of the
liver
Pancreatic cancer malignant tumor of the
pancreas
Pancreatitis inflammation of the pancreas
Viral hepatitis inflammation of the liver
caused by a virus

 QUICK QUIZ

1. What happens if bilirubin cannot leave

the body and remains in the bloodstream?
A. Gluconeogenesis
B. Emulsica<on
C. Hyperbilirubinemia
D. Glycogenolysis

FOOD PATHWAY THROUGH THE GI TRACT

Food enters
through the oral
cavity and exits
through the
anus.

VOCABULARY
absorp<on


amino acids


amylase


anus

Passage of materials through the walls of

the small intes<ne into the bloodstream

Small building blocks of proteins; released
when proteins are digested

Enzyme secreted by the pancreas and
salivary glands to digest starch

Terminal end or opening of the diges<ve
tract to the outside of body

VOCABULARY
appendix

Blind pouch hanging from the cecum

bile

Diges<ve juice made in the liver and stored in

the gallbladder; breaks up large fat globules;
composed of bile pigments, cholesterol, and
bile salts

Pigment released by the liver in bile

Intes<ne

bilirubin

bowel

VOCABULARY
canine teeth


cecum

colon


common
bile duct

Pointed, dog-like teeth next to the incisors;

also called cuspids or eyeteeth

First part of the large intes<ne

Consists of the ascending, transverse,
descending, and sigmoid segments

Carries bile from the liver and gallbladder
to the duodenum; also called the
choledochus

VOCABULARY

deglu<<on

Elimina<on of feces from the diges<ve tract

through the anus

Swallowing

den<n

Primary material found in teeth; covered by

the enamel in the crown and a protec<ve
layer of cementum in the root

defeca<on

diges<on

Breakdown of complex foods to simpler

forms

VOCABULARY
duodenum

elimina<on

First part of the small intes<ne; measures

12 inches long
Act of removal of materials from the body

emulsica<on

Physical process of breaking up large fat

globules into smaller globules

enamel

Hard, outermost layer of a tooth

VOCABULARY
enzyme

Chemical that speeds up reac<ons between

substances; enzyme names end in ase

esophagus

Tube connec<ng the throat to the stomach

faPy acids

Substances produced when fats are digested;

a category of lipids

feces

Solid wastes; stool

VOCABULARY
gallbladder

Small sac under the liver; stores bile

glucose

Simple sugar

glycogen

Starch; glucose is stored in the form of

glycogen in liver cells

hydrochloric acid

Substance produced by the stomach;
necessary for diges<on of food

VOCABULARY
ileum

incisor

insulin

Third part of the small intes<ne

One of four front teeth in the dental arch

Hormone produced by endocrine cells of the
pancreas; transports sugar from the blood into
cells and s<mulates glycogen forma<on by the
liver

jejunum

Second part of the small intes<ne

VOCABULARY
lipase

Pancrea<c enzyme needed to digest fats

liver

Large organ located in the RUQ of the

abdomen; secretes bile; stores sugar,
iron, and vitamins; produces blood
proteins; destroys worn-out RBCs; lters
out toxins; normal adult liver weighs
about 2 to 3 pounds

Ring of muscles between the esophagus
and stomach; cardiac sphincter

lower esophageal
sphincter (LES)

VOCABULARY

mas<ca<on

molar teeth


palate

pancreas

Chewing

Sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the
middle on either side of the dental arch

Roof of the mouth

Organ under the stomach; produces insulin
and enzymes

VOCABULARY

papillae (singular:
papilla)

paro<d gland

Peristalsis


pharynx

Small, nipple-like eleva<ons on the tongue


Salivary gland within the cheek, just anterior
to the ear

Rhythmic contrac<ons of the tubular organs

Throat, the common passageway for food

from the mouth and for air from the nose

VOCABULARY
portal vein

Protease

pulp

pyloric sphincter

Large vein bringing blood to the liver from

the intes<nes

Enzyme that digests protein

So[ <ssue within a tooth, containing

nerves and blood vessels

Ring of muscle at the end of the stomach,

near the duodenum; opens when a wave
of peristalsis passes over it

VOCABULARY
pylorus

rectum


rugae


saliva

Distal region of the stomach, opening to the

duodenum

Last sec<on of the large intes<ne, connec<ng the

end of the colon and the anus

Ridges on the hard palate and the wall of the
stomach

Diges<ve juice produced by salivary glands;

contains the enzyme amylase

VOCABULARY
salivary glands


sigmoid colon


sphincter


stomach

Paro<d, sublingual, and submandibular

glands

Fourth and last, S-shaped segment of the
colon, just before the rectum; emp<es into
the rectum

Circular ring of muscle that constricts a

passage or closes a natural opening

Muscular organ that receives food from the
esophagus

VOCABULARY
triglycerides

Fat molecules composed of three parts

faPy acids and one part glycerol;
subgroup of lipids

uvula

So[ <ssue hanging from the middle of the

so[ palate

villi (singular: villus) Microscopic projec<ons in the wall of the

small intes<ne that absorb nutrients into
the bloodstream

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
PARTS OF THE BODY
Combining Form

Meaning

anus
appendix
cheek
cecum
belly,abdomen
lip
gallbladder
common bile duct

an/o
append/o, appendic/o
bucc/o
cec/o
celi/o
cheil/o
cholecyst/o
choledoch/o

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
PARTS OF THE BODY (PT. 2)

Combining Form

Meaning

colon
colon
tooth
duodenum
intestines, usually small intestine
esophagus
face
stomach
gums

col/o
colon/o
dent/i
duoden/o
enter/o
esophag/o
faci/o
gastr/o
gingiv/o

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
PARTS OF THE BODY (PT. 3)
Combining Form

Meaning

gloss/o
hepat/o

tongue
liver

ile/o

ileum

jejun/o

jejunum

labi/o

lip

lapar/o
lingu/o

abdomen
tongue

mandibul/o

lower jaw, mandible

odont/o

tooth

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
PARTS OF THE BODY (PT. 4)
Combining Form

Meaning

or/o
palat/o

mouth
palate

pancreat/o

pancreas

peritone/o

peritoneum

pharyng/o

throat

proct/o
pylor/o

anus and rectum

pyloric sphincter

rect/o

rectum

sialaden/o

salivary gland

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
PARTS OF THE BODY (PT. 5)
Combining Form

Meaning

sigmoid/o
stomat/o
uvul/o

sigmoid colon
mouth
uvula

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
SUBSTANCES
Combining Form

Meaning

starch
gall, bile
bilirubin (bile pigment)
gall or bile
hydrochloric acid
sugar
sugar

amyl/o
bil/i
bilirubin/o
chol/e
chlorhydr/o
gluc/o
glyc/o

TERMINOLOGY COMBINING
FORMS
SUBSTANCES (PT. 2)
Combining Form

glycogen/o
lip/o
lith/o
prote/o
py/o
sial/o
steat/o

Meaning

glycogen, animal starch

fat
stone
protein
pus
saliva, salivary
fat

TERMINOLOGY SUFFIXES
Suffix

Meaning

-ase
-chezia
-iasis
-prandial

enzyme
defecation, elimination of wastes
abnormal condition
meal

 QUICK QUIZ:

4. Which term means inamma<on of

the lip?
A. Cholecys<<s
B. Celiac
C. Appendici<s
D. Cheili<s

THREE TYPES OF ANASTOMOSOMES

CHAPTER GOALS
Define new suffixes and use them with digestive
system combining forms.
List and explain laboratory tests, clinical
procedures, and abbreviations common to the
digestive system.
Apply your new knowledge to understanding
medical terms in their proper context, such as
medical reports and records.

SUFFIXES
Suffix

-ectasis, -ectasia
-emesis
-pepsia
-phagia
-plasty
-ptysis

Meaning

dilation, widening
vomiting
digestion
eating, swallowing
surgical repair
spitting

SUFFIXES
Suffix

-rrhage, -rrhagia
-rrhaphy
-rrhea
-spasm

-stasis
-stenosis
-tresia

Meaning

bursting forth (of blood)

suture
flow, discharge
involuntary contraction of
muscles
stopping; controlling
narrowing, tightening
opening

 QUICK QUIZ:

1. Which term means diculty in swallowing?

A. Dysphasia
B. Dysphagia
C. Dysplasia
D. Polyphagia

 QUICK QUIZ:

2. Which term means to control or stop
bleeding?

A. Hemostasis
B. Hematoma
C. Hemoptysis
D. Cholestasis

COMBINING FORMS
AND TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form

Meaning

cheek
cecum
abdomen
lip
gall, bile
bile duct (vessel)
gallbladder
common bile duct

bucc/o
cec/o
celi/o
cheil/o
chol/e
cholangi/o
cholecyst/o
choledoch/o


COMBINING FORMS AND
TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form

col/o
colon/o
dent/i
duoden/o
enter/o
esophag/o
gastr/o
gingiv/o

Meaning

colon
colon
tooth
duodenum
intestines
esophagus
stomach
gums

COMBINING FORMS AND

TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form

Meaning

tongue
sugar
sugar
liver
hernia
ileum
jejunum

gloss/o
gluc/o
glyc/o
hepat/o
herni/o
ile/o
jejun/o

labi/o

lip

COMBINING FORMS AND

TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form

Meaning

tongue
fat
stone
tooth
mouth
palate
pancreas

lingu/o
lip/o
lith/o
odont/o
or/o
palat/o
pancreat/o

COMBINING FORMS AND

TERMINOLOGY
Combining Form

Meaning

anus and rectum

pyloric sphincter
rectum
salivary gland
spleen
fat
mouth

proct/o
pylor/o
rect/o
sialaden/o
splen/o
steat/o
stomat/o

 QUICK QUIZ:

3. Which term means enlarged liver?

A. Acromegaly
B. Cardiomegaly
C. Hepatomegaly
D. Hepa<<s

LABORATORY TESTS
Liver function tests (LFTs): tests for
enzymes and bilirubin in blood
Stool culture: test for microorganisms in
stool
Stool guaiac test or Hemoccult test: test to
detect blood in feces

 QUICK QUIZ:

4. Which of the following tests for the clear uid that

remains a[er blood has cloPed (serum)?

A. Stool guaiac
B. Hemoccult
C. Stool culture
D. LFTs

LABORATORY TESTS: X-RAYS

Lower gastrointestinal
series (barium enema)
Upper gastrointestinal
series
Cholangiography
Computed tomography
(CT scan)

CLINICAL PROCEDURES
Ultrasound examination

Abdominal
ultrasonography
Endoscopic
ultrasonography (EUS)

Magnetic resonance techniques

Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI)
Nuclear medicine test

Hepatobiliary
iminodiacetic acid scan
(HIDA scan)

MISCELLANEOUS PROCEDURES
Gastric bypass or bariatric surgery: reduces stomach
size
Gastrointestinal endoscopy: visual examination of
the GI tract
Laparoscopy: visual examination of the abdomen
Liver biopsy: removal of liver tissue for microscopic
examination
Nasogastric intubation: insertion of a tube through
the nose into the stomach
Paracentesis (abdominocentesis): puncture to
remove fluid from abdomen

 QUICK QUIZ:

5. Which procedure is a surgical puncture to
remove uid from the abdomen?

A. Laparoscopy
B. Laparotomy
C. Abdominectomy
D. Abdominocentesis

ABBREVIATIONS

BRBPR
EGD

Bright red blood per rectum

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

G tube

Gastrostomy tube; PEG tube

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI

Gastrointestinal

LAC
NPO

Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy
Nothing by mouth

LA FINE