90 Questions
What symptoms may an individual with faltering liver function experience?
Fatigue, weight loss, and nausea
How is liver cirrhosis confirmed?
By performing a liver biopsy
What is a common complication of advanced liver cirrhosis?
Jaundice
What causes ascites in individuals with liver cirrhosis?
Decreased albumin production
Why does intense itching occur in individuals with liver cirrhosis?
When bile products are deposited in the skin
How is end-stage liver cirrhosis typically treated?
Through a liver transplant
What is the function of segmentation in the small intestine?
To mix chyme, accessory digestive organ secretions, and intestinal juice
What initiates the muscular contractions responsible for segmentation in the small intestine?
Pacemaker cells (interstitial cells of Cajal)
How does segmentation differ from peristalsis in terms of movement?
Segmentation involves back-and-forth mixing, peristalsis involves forward movement
Where are the pacemaker cells responsible for initiating segmentation located?
Between the smooth muscle layers of the muscularis in the small intestine wall
At what rate do pacemaker cells depolarize in the duodenum compared to the ileum?
The rate is higher in the duodenum (about 12–14 times per minute) compared to the ileum (about 8–9 times per minute)
How do electrical signals spread through smooth muscle cells during segmentation?
Via gap junctions to allow single-unit smooth muscle to contract
What does a hepatic lobule in the liver look like in cross-section?
A side view of a bicycle wheel
Which blood vessel delivers oxygenated blood to the liver?
Hepatic artery
What is the main function of hepatic sinusoids in the liver lobules?
Transport blood
Which source provides deoxygenated and nutrient-rich blood to the liver?
Hepatic portal vein
What is the approximate percentage of blood volume delivered to the liver by the hepatic portal vein?
75%
How do the hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein branch into smaller vessels?
Form components of portal triads
What is the surgical procedure for the removal of the gallbladder called?
Cholecystectomy
What function of bile is lost after the gallbladder is removed?
Storage of bile
What organ continues to produce bile even after the removal of the gallbladder?
Liver
Which cells in the pancreas produce and secrete hormones like insulin and glucagon?
Endocrine cells
What is the approximate length of the pancreas?
6 to 7 inches
Which type of disorders can have serious effects on the ability to digest and absorb nutrients?
Pancreatic disorders
What type of gland is the pancreas?
Endocrine gland
Which cells does pancreatic cancer most commonly originate from?
Exocrine cells
What is a major risk factor for pancreatic cancer that can double the risk?
Smoking
Why is early detection important for the prognosis of pancreatic cancer?
It allows for more favorable outcomes
Why is early detection of pancreatic cancer difficult?
Lack of a screening test and nonspecific symptoms
What is the approximate length of the large intestine from its origin to its termination?
~1.5 meters (~5 feet)
What is the primary region within the small intestine for nutrient absorption?
Jejunum
Which region of the small intestine forms approximately three-fifths of its length?
Ileum
Which sphincter controls the entry of materials from the small intestine into the large intestine?
Ileocecal valve
What structures in the small intestine increase surface area for absorption?
Circular folds
What are macroscopic structures formed by both the mucosal and submucosal tunics of the small intestine?
Circular folds
Which term refers to the last region of the small intestine?
Ileum
Which type of cells contribute to the process of digestion by producing intestinal juice in the small intestine?
Secretory cells
What is the function of mucin produced by goblet cells in the small intestine?
Lubricating and protecting the intestinal lining
Where are the invaginations of the mucosa that secrete intestinal juice located?
Intestinal glands
Which type of cells secrete hormones into the blood in the small intestine?
Hepatic cells
What is the function of intestinal glands (crypts of Lieberkühn) in the small intestine?
Secreting intestinal juice
What is the role of microvilli in the small intestine?
Projecting into the intestinal lumen
What is the primary function of bile in relation to lipid digestion?
Emulsifying lipids
Where is bile stored, concentrated, and released from?
Gallbladder
Which organ has three tunics - inner mucosa, middle muscularis, and external serosa?
Gallbladder
What is the purpose of the cystic duct connected to the gallbladder?
Connecting to the common bile duct
How does bile contribute to lipid digestion in the gastrointestinal tract?
By mechanically breaking down lipids into smaller aggregates
Which structure controls the flow of bile into and out of the gallbladder?
Sphincter valve
What type of reflex is the defecation reflex?
Monosynaptic reflex
Which action is required for conscious regulation of defecation?
Relaxation of the external anal sphincter
What initiates the defecation reflex?
Sensory perception of stretch in the rectum
What is a common cause of constipation according to the text?
Low fiber diet
Which maneuver is associated with conscious regulation of defecation?
Valsalva maneuver
What is a common side effect of general anesthesia related to bowel function?
Constipation
What term is used to describe the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder?
Cholelithiasis
Which risk factor is NOT associated with the development of gallstones?
Young age
What symptom is typically experienced when a gallstone becomes lodged in the neck of the cystic duct?
Severe pain (biliary colic)
Which region of the body may an individual perceive pain if a gallstone lodges in the neck of the cystic duct?
Right hypochondriac region
If a gallstone leaves the gallbladder and enters the biliary apparatus, what term is used to describe this condition?
Choledocholethiasis
Apart from women, what other demographic group has a higher prevalence of gallstones?
Caucasians
What is the hallmark symptom of Crohn disease?
Severe diarrhea
In ulcerative colitis, which part of the intestine is primarily affected?
Rectum and descending colon
Which layer of the intestinal wall is primarily affected by inflammation in Crohn disease?
Mucosa
What distinguishes Crohn disease from ulcerative colitis in terms of affected regions?
Crohn disease involves areas of healthy intestine between diseased sections.
Which of the following is NOT a symptom commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
Jaundice
What distinguishes ulcerative colitis from Crohn disease in terms of affected regions?
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation in specific areas of the intestines.
Which gastrointestinal disorder is associated with a higher risk of colon cancer?
Ulcerative colitis
What are the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Crampy abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea
What is the approximate prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the United States?
1 in every five people
How can most people control the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Reducing stress, changing diet, and using certain medications
Which digestive disorder is being studied for treatment using fecal transplants?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
What distinguishes ulcerative colitis from Crohn disease in terms of inflammation location?
In ulcerative colitis, inflammation is confined to the mucosa.
What is the primary role of microvilli in the small intestine?
Digestion of nutrients immediately before absorption
Where are brush border enzymes located in the small intestine?
Embedded in the microvilli
How do villi in the small intestine contribute to absorption?
By increasing the surface area for absorption
What is the function of a lacteal within a villus?
Absorption of lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins
Which structure in the small intestine contains an arteriole, capillaries, and a venule?
Villi
In which part of the small intestine are villi most numerous and larger?
Jejunum
What is the main function of the hepatopancreatic sphincter located within the ampulla of Vater?
To regulate the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum
Which hormone stimulates the relaxation and opening of the hepatopancreatic sphincter to allow the flow of bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum?
Cholecystokinin (CCK)
What percentage of an adult's body weight does the liver typically constitute?
Exactly 2%
What is located at the porta hepatis of the liver?
An opening where blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves enter and exit the liver
Which statement accurately describes the liver's role in digestion?
The liver secretes bile that aids in lipid digestion
What is regulated by the hepatopancreatic sphincter located within the ampulla of Vater?
Release of accessory gland secretions like bile and pancreatic juice
What is the role of pacemaker cells in the small intestine?
Spread electrical signals via gap junctions for segmentation
How does the depolarization rate of pacemaker cells differ between the duodenum and ileum?
Depolarization rate varies depending on the segment of the small intestine
Which region of the small intestine has the most frequent rhythm of muscular contraction for segmentation?
Duodenum
What is the primary function of segmentation in the small intestine?
Thoroughly mix chyme and digestive secretions
How do pacemaker cells contribute to the back-and-forth motion of segmentation?
Generate electrical signals for muscular contractions
In what way does segmentation differ from peristalsis in terms of intestinal movement?
Segmentation pushes content forward, while peristalsis mixes chyme
Learn about the function of segmentation in the digestive system, which involves mixing chyme, secretions, and intestinal juice through back-and-forth motions. Understand the analogy of mixing ingredients in a balloon to grasp the concept of segmentation.
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