30 Questions
What is the primary function of the large intestine?
Drying out indigestible food residue
Where is the pancreas located?
Behind the stomach
What is the primary function of the gallbladder?
Storage and concentration of bile
What is the term for the involuntary or voluntary release of gas from the stomach or esophagus?
Eructation
What is the term for the symptoms of discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen or epigastric region?
Dyspepsia
Where are the salivary glands located?
Parotid gland is the largest
What is the primary cause of FLATUS expulsion of gas?
Swallowed air and bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates
What is the characteristic of a stool in CONSTIPATION?
Dry and goat-like consistency
What is the primary difference between NAUSEA and VOMITING?
Reflex of gastric contents
What is the characteristic of stool in MELena?
Black and tarry
What is the primary cause of HICCUPS (SINGULTUS)?
All of the above
What is the primary characteristic of DYSPHAGIA?
Both difficulty and painful swallowing
What is the primary mechanism of action of botulinum toxin injection in treating a lower esophageal condition?
Relaxing the lower esophageal muscle
Which of the following symptoms is NOT typically associated with Helicobacter pylori infection?
Diarrhea
What is the primary difference between a gastric ulcer and a duodenal ulcer?
Location of the ulcer
Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for peptic ulcer disease?
Corticosteroid use without concurrent NSAID use
What is the approximate male-to-female ratio for peptic ulcer disease?
1.3:1
Which of the following diagnostic tests is used to detect Helicobacter pylori infection?
All of the above
What is the typical treatment duration for Pylori Gastritis?
1-2 weeks
What is the primary cause of appendicitis?
All of the above
What is the role of lactase enzyme in the small intestine?
To break down lactose into glucose and galactose
What is the most common age range for appendicitis to occur?
10-30 years
What is the typical symptom of severe lactose intolerance?
Osmotic diarrhea
What is the diagnostic test for lactose intolerance?
Hydrogen breath test
What is the characteristic of Crohn's disease in terms of its inflammatory involvement in the gastrointestinal tract?
It involves any segment of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.
What is the typical location of pain in patients with retrocecal appendicitis?
On extension of the right hip.
What is the diagnostic tool used to aid in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis?
Sigmoidoscopy
What is the result of a perforation of a colonic diverticulum?
An intra-abdominal infection with localized paracolic inflammation.
What is the characteristic of diverticulitis in terms of its involvement in the gastrointestinal tract?
It involves only the colon.
What is the typical symptom of a patient with ulcerative colitis?
Bloody diarrhea.
Study Notes
Digestive System Functions
- Chemical digestion of food takes place in the small intestine
- Food is absorbed through the mucosa in the small intestine
- The large intestine dries out indigestible food residue by absorbing water and electrolytes, and then eliminates the residues from the body as feces
Accessory Digestive Glands
- The pancreas produces enzymes important for digestion, including:
- Trypsin and chymotrypsin (break down proteins)
- Amylase (breaks down carbohydrates)
- Lipase (breaks down fats)
- The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, which is produced by the liver and aids in the digestion of fats
Manifestations of Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract
- Dyspepsia: upper abdominal or epigastric symptoms like pain, discomfort, fullness, bloating, early satiety, belching, heartburn, regurgitation, and "indigestion"
- Belching: involuntary or voluntary release of gas from the stomach or esophagus, caused by swallowing air or taking carbonated drinks
- Anorexia: loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss or weight loss without trying
- Flatus: expulsion of gas (H2, CO2, methane) per anus, caused by swallowed air and bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates
- Nausea: vague, intensive, disagreeable sensation of sickness or "queasiness"
- Vomiting: projectile reflux of gastric contents preceded by nausea
- Diarrhea: increased frequency of bowel movement, increased stool liquidity, and fecal urgency
- Constipation: 2 or fewer bowel movements/week, or excessive difficulty and straining at defecation
- Gastrointestinal bleeding: manifestation of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
- Hiccups: sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, accompanied by a characteristic sound
- Dysphagia: difficulty in swallowing or painful swallowing
- Regurgitation: return of food or other substances from the stomach to the mouth
Helicobacter Pylori Disease
- Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach
- Implicated in stomach cancers and duodenal ulcers
- May be asymptomatic
- Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, belching, vomiting, or tarry stools
- Diagnosis: biopsy, blood antibody test, stool antigen test, or carbon urease breath test
Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Break in the gastric or duodenal mucosa that arises when normal mucosal defensive factors are impaired or overwhelmed by aggressive luminal factors
- Statistics: 1.3:1 (male:female) for gastric ulcer, 30-55 years old for duodenal ulcer
- Etiology: H. pylori infection, drugs (NSAIDs, aspirin), and pylori gastritis
- Treatment: pylori gastritis treatment, antibiotics, and antacids
Diseases of the Small Intestines
- Malabsorption: disruption of digestion and nutrient absorption
- Appendicitis: infection or inflammation of the appendix, usually caused by fecalith material, tumor, or destruction
Diseases of the Colon
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease
- Diverticular Disease of the Colon: Diverticulitis
- Ulcerative Colitis: chronic recurrent disease characterized by diffuse mucosal inflammation involving only the colon
- Crohn's Disease: chronic recurrent disease characterized by patchy transmural inflammation involving any segment of the gastrointestinal tract
- Diverticulitis: perforation of a colonic diverticulum results in an intra-abdominal infection
Test your knowledge on the functions of small and large intestine in the human body, including chemical digestion, absorption, and elimination of waste. Learn about the role of bile in digestion and its production by the liver.
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