Homeostatic Imbalances Of The Digestive System

Front 1

Peritonitis

Back 1

is a condition when the peritoneum becomes infected.

The peritoneal membranes tend to stick together around the infection site which helps to seal off and localize many intraperitoneal infections, providing time for macrophages in the lymphatic tissue to mount an attack.

Front 2

Impacted teeth

Back 2

occur when the teeth remain embedded in the jawbone. Impacted teeth exert pressure and cause a good deal of pain, and they must be removed surgically. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted teeth.

Front 3

If bile is stored in the gallbladder too long, or too much water is removed, the cholesterol in the bile may crystallize, forming ______________.

Back 3

gallstones

Gallstones tend to be sharp and cause pain when the gallbladder contracts.

Front 4

Hepatitis

Back 4

inflammation of the liver

often the cause of jaundice

Front 5

Cirrhosis

Back 5

a chronic inflammatory condition in which the liver is severely damaged and becomes hard and fibrous.

often the cause of jaundice

Front 6

Heartburn

Back 6

is pain caused when the cardioesophageal sphincter fails to close tightly and gastric juice backs up into the esophagus.

Front 7

If uncorrected, heartburn leads to...

Back 7

esophagitis or inflammation of the esophagus and possibly ulceration of the esophagus.

Front 8

Hiatal hernia

Back 8

a structural abnormality in which the superior part of the stomach protrudes slightly above the diaphragm.

Because the diaphragm no longer reinforces the cardioesophageal sphincter, which is a weak sphincter to begin with, gastric juice flows into the unprotected esophagus.

Front 9

Vomiting

Back 9

or emesis, is a reverse peristalsis occurring in the stomach accompanied by contraction of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm. This increases the pressure on the abdominal organs. Vomiting can be caused by local irritation of the stomach, such as bacterial food poisoning, which activates the emetic center in the brain (medulla).

Front 10

Pancreatitis

Back 10

is inflammation of the pancreas and results from activation of pancreatic enzymes in the pancreatic duct. Because pancreatic enzymes break down all categories of biological molecules, they cause digestion of the pancreatic tissue and duct. This leads to nutritional deficiencies because pancreatic enzymes are essential for digestion in the small intestine.

Front 11

When a diet is lacking in bulk, the colon narrows and its circular muscles contract more powerfully. This increases the pressure on the colon walls and encourages formation of ________.

Back 11

diverticula

Front 12

Diverticulosis Diverticulitis

Back 12

is a condition in which the diverticula become inflamed and it can be life-threatening if ruptures occur.

Front 13

Diarrhea

Back 13

result from any condition that rushes food residue through the large intestine before that organ has sufficient time to absorb the water.

Because fluids and ions are lost from the body, prolonged diarrhea may result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, which, if severe, can be fatal.

Front 14

If food residue remains in the large intestine for extended periods, too much water is absorbed, and the stool becomes hard and difficult to pass. This condition, called ______________, may result from lack of fiber in the diet, poor bowel habits, and laxative abuse.

Back 14

constipation

Front 15

Extremely low body temperature resulting from prolonged exposure to cold is _________________.

Back 15

hypothermia

In hypothermia, the individual's vital signs decrease and the person becomes drowsy. If not corrected, hypothermia can lead to coma and death.

Front 16

Hyperthermia

Back 16

elevated body temperature, depresses the hypothalamus.

As a result a vicious positive feedback cycle occurs, which in turn increases heat production.

If not corrected, permanent brain damage is possible, also called heat stroke.

Front 17

Heat exhaustion

Back 17

is the heat-associated collapse of an individual during or following vigorous physical activity.

Heat exhaustion results from excessive loss of body fluids (dehydration). In contrast to heat stroke, heat-loss mechanisms still operate in heat exhaustion.

Front 18

Fever

Back 18

is controlled hyperthermia, often resulting from an infection in the body.

Macrophages, white blood cells, and injured tissue cells release chemical substances called pyrogens that act directly on the hypothalamus, causing its thermostat to be set to a higher temperature. After thermostat resetting, heat-promoting mechanisms are initiated. Vasoconstriction causes the skin to become cool, and shivering begins to generate heat. Body temperature is allowed to rise until it reaches the new setting. Then, it is maintained at the fever setting until natural body defenses or antibiotics reverse the disease process.

At that point, the thermostat is reset again to a lower or normal level, causing heat-loss mechanisms to swing into action.