3191 Exam 1 Blueprint Notes
Chpt 43: Assessment of Digestive and Gastrointestinal Function
1. Describe the structure and function of the organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Small intestine
o Area of GI tract to allow secretion of mucus and absorption of nutrients that allow
them (nutrients) to move into the blood stream.
o Longest portion of the GI tract, consisting of three parts—duodenum, jejunum, and
ileum—through which food mixed with all secretions and enzymes passes as it
continues to be digested and begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream
Large bowel
o Water reabsorption
o The portion of the GI tract into which waste material from the small intestine passes
as absorption continues and elimination begins; consists of several parts—ascending
segment, transverse segment, descending segment, sigmoid colon, and rectum; also
known as the colon
Stomach
o Stores and mixes food with secretions
o Secretes HCl, a highly acidic fluid in response to the presence or anticipated
ingestion of food.
Portal venous system
o Blood supply of GI tract
o Consists of 5 veins:
Splenic vein
Inferior mesenteric vein
Gastric vein
Superior mesenteric vein
Cystic vein
2. Major function of the GI system
Ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination
o Breakdown of food particles into a molecular form for digestion
o The absorption into the blood stream of small nutrient molecules produced from
digestion
o Elimination of undigested unabsorbed food stuffs and other waste products.
Ingestion: phase of the digestive process that occurs when food is taken into the GI tract via
the mouth and esophagus
, 3191 Exam 1 Blueprint Notes
Digestion: phase of the digestive process that occurs when digestive enzymes and secretions
mix with ingested food and when proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down into their
component smaller molecules
Absorption: phase of the digestive process that occurs when small molecules, vitamins, and
minerals pass through the walls of the small and large intestine and into the bloodstream
Elimination: phase of the digestive process that occurs after digestion and absorption, when
waste products are evacuated from the body
3. Explain the mechanical and chemical processes involved in digesting and absorbing nutrients
and eliminating waste products.
Mechanical
o Mertriculation
Chewing
o Swallowing
reflex controlled by medulla oblongata
Chemical
o Enzyme and acid release
4. Enzymes responsible for the process of digestion/role of intrinsic factor and Role of acid in
the stomach r/t disease
Secreted from salivary glands
o Ptyalin – begins digestion of starch in mouth
Secreted by intestinal mucosa
o Amylase – begins digestion of starch in mouth
Secreted by stomach/gastric mucosa
o Pepsin – protein
Secreted by the pancreas
o Amylase – starch
o Lipase – lipids/fats
o Trypsin – digestion of protein
Secreted by stomach
o Hydrochloric acid (HCl) – secreted in response to the actual or anticipated presence of
food.
o Acid secreted by the glands in the stomach; mixes with chyme to break it down into
absorbable molecules and to aid in the destruction of bacteria
Intrinsic factor – b12
o Intrinsic factor helps b12 absorption in the ileum. An absence in intrinsic factor or b12 can
result in pernicious anemia.
Labs would show decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin
Anus
o Last section of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; outlet for waste products from the GI system
Chpt 43: Assessment of Digestive and Gastrointestinal Function
1. Describe the structure and function of the organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Small intestine
o Area of GI tract to allow secretion of mucus and absorption of nutrients that allow
them (nutrients) to move into the blood stream.
o Longest portion of the GI tract, consisting of three parts—duodenum, jejunum, and
ileum—through which food mixed with all secretions and enzymes passes as it
continues to be digested and begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream
Large bowel
o Water reabsorption
o The portion of the GI tract into which waste material from the small intestine passes
as absorption continues and elimination begins; consists of several parts—ascending
segment, transverse segment, descending segment, sigmoid colon, and rectum; also
known as the colon
Stomach
o Stores and mixes food with secretions
o Secretes HCl, a highly acidic fluid in response to the presence or anticipated
ingestion of food.
Portal venous system
o Blood supply of GI tract
o Consists of 5 veins:
Splenic vein
Inferior mesenteric vein
Gastric vein
Superior mesenteric vein
Cystic vein
2. Major function of the GI system
Ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination
o Breakdown of food particles into a molecular form for digestion
o The absorption into the blood stream of small nutrient molecules produced from
digestion
o Elimination of undigested unabsorbed food stuffs and other waste products.
Ingestion: phase of the digestive process that occurs when food is taken into the GI tract via
the mouth and esophagus
, 3191 Exam 1 Blueprint Notes
Digestion: phase of the digestive process that occurs when digestive enzymes and secretions
mix with ingested food and when proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down into their
component smaller molecules
Absorption: phase of the digestive process that occurs when small molecules, vitamins, and
minerals pass through the walls of the small and large intestine and into the bloodstream
Elimination: phase of the digestive process that occurs after digestion and absorption, when
waste products are evacuated from the body
3. Explain the mechanical and chemical processes involved in digesting and absorbing nutrients
and eliminating waste products.
Mechanical
o Mertriculation
Chewing
o Swallowing
reflex controlled by medulla oblongata
Chemical
o Enzyme and acid release
4. Enzymes responsible for the process of digestion/role of intrinsic factor and Role of acid in
the stomach r/t disease
Secreted from salivary glands
o Ptyalin – begins digestion of starch in mouth
Secreted by intestinal mucosa
o Amylase – begins digestion of starch in mouth
Secreted by stomach/gastric mucosa
o Pepsin – protein
Secreted by the pancreas
o Amylase – starch
o Lipase – lipids/fats
o Trypsin – digestion of protein
Secreted by stomach
o Hydrochloric acid (HCl) – secreted in response to the actual or anticipated presence of
food.
o Acid secreted by the glands in the stomach; mixes with chyme to break it down into
absorbable molecules and to aid in the destruction of bacteria
Intrinsic factor – b12
o Intrinsic factor helps b12 absorption in the ileum. An absence in intrinsic factor or b12 can
result in pernicious anemia.
Labs would show decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin
Anus
o Last section of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; outlet for waste products from the GI system
