| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Emulsification | The breakdown of large lipid globules into a suspension of small lipid globules, which presents a large surface area that allows pancreatic lipase to more rapidly digest fat |
| Bile salts | Aids in the absorption of lipids following their digestion |
| Cirrhosis | A consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrous scar tissue as well as regenerative nodules (lumps that occur as a result of a process in which damaged tissue is regenerated), leading to progressive loss of liver function; is most commonly caused by alcoholism and hepatitis C; symptoms include jaundice, easy bruising, edema, and ascites |
| Functions of the liver | Vital functions that include carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, processing drugs and hormones, excretion of bilirubin, synthesis of bile salts, storage, phagocytosis, and activation of vitamin D |
| Gallbladder | A pear shaped sac that is located in a depression of the posterior surface of the liver; releases bile into the small intestine; when bile is not needed, sphincter of Oddi closes |
| Gallstones | When bile contains either insufficient biles salts or lecithin or excessive cholesterol, the cholestorol may crystallize to grow in size and number; may casue minimal, intermittent, or complete obstruction to the flow of bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum |
| Small intestine | Where major events of digestion and absorption occurs; made up of the same four layers of most of the GI tract (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa) |
| Duodenum | Shortest region of the small intestine; starts at the pyloric sphincter; measures about 10 inches |
| Jejunum | Extends from the duodenum and merges with the ileum; about 3 ft long |
| Ileum | The final and longest region of the small intestine and measures about 6 ft |
| Segmentations | Localized, mixing contractions that occur in portions of intestine distended by a large volume of chyme |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace