Digestive System

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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We just started the digestive system and I am losing it. Can someone help me with learning this system? :cry:

I have done well up to this point. I made "A's" all the way so far. Now we come to this and I fear I will not do as well. Need some study tips. :no:

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

Is there something specific that you don't understand?

My teacher gives us notes in class and that is where our test comes from. We just finished the lymph system and will get our digestive notes on Thursday, so I don't have them just yet but I will help you if I can.

We did start the digestive system in lab today. I took pictures of the models and plan to study those. I am also going to write down all of the enzymes and what they do.

I break things down by organ and go from there. For example for the stomach we need to know the valves, parts and the structures. So I study that the valves are the cardiac or lower esophaggeal sphincter and the pyloric sphincter. The regions are the fundic, cardiac, body, and pyloric regions. And then we have to know that the wall of the stomach has an extra layer of muscle. There is the circular, longitud., and diagonal muscles that all help the stomach to squeeze and to mix gastric juice with the food. And the we also needed to know that the inner lining is called rugae and allows the stretching.

But like I said if there is something real specific you have a question about let us know and I will try to help you.

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Specializes in Med-surg.

DITTO! Break it down by organ. starting from the mouth to orifice. when you take notes don't stray away and start getting specific about another organ. reserve those notes for that particular organ. stay organized and as I will always suggest keep your two BFF's nearby...highlighter & notecards. Repitition is the key, rewrite + reread + recite= remember.

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Specializes in ICU.
Repitition is the key, rewrite + reread + recite= remember.

Good advice...I like it!

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Get a long piece of yarn or string. Put the same number of knots in it as there are organs in the digestive system. If you want, you can put some knots close together representing, say, the divisions of the small intestine system. This represents a "digestive system". As you put your fingers on each knot and work your way down, say to yourself or out loud, "This is the ___. It's function is ____. It is connected to the ____ and ____. It secretes ___. Its tissues are composed of..." Whatever your professor emphasizes, you say that or think that or write that. You'd be surprised how this little visual aid will help you remember the digestive system from mouth to orifice. Did I just say orifice??? LOL

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Specializes in Med Surg, Home Health.

Also, if you can make up rhymes, or disgusting ditties (seriously, the grosser the better) or find out the meaning of wierd latin words, that helps.

"Cholecystokinin" in latin means "Bile Bladder Mover". I bet you can figure out one body part that hormone effects!

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We have our first quiz over the digestive system today and i'm cramming like crazy. Its very overwhelming compared to what we've learned so far. I agree w/ the pp to start w/ the big picture and just keep breaking it down organ by organ. Any little quirky ways to remember things helps me. For instance the tunics of the alimentary canal from the lumen out is MSMS, Mucosa, Submucosa, Mucularis externa, and Serosa. The layers of the Mucosa spell ELM - Epithelium, Lamina propria, & Muscularis mucosae.

Those weird little things always help me!

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

Just wanted to share with everyone the charts that my teacher sent on the digestive system. Hope it helps someone.

Ok...it is not working. Can't figure out why. I tried to upload as a rtf file but it wouldn't let me and tried at doc file but wouldn't let me. I don't know. Maybe I will try to copy and paste it.

Digestion Summary.txt

Digestive Enzymes.txt

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.

Ok...I am trying it this way. Here is the Digestion Review.

That didn't work either. Sorry it is all mixed up and confusing!!!!

Review – Digestion

Part – Alimentary Canal or Accessory Organ

Mechanical Digestion

Chemical Digestion

Control (other than Nervous)

Mouth

1. Cheeks

2. Lips

3. Tongue

4. Teeth

5. Salivary Glands

1. NA

2. NA

3. NA

4. Crush & Grind, roll into Bolus

5. NA

1. NA

2. NA

3. NA

4. NA

5. Amylase turns starch to sugar (disacharides)

Pharynx (passageway) swallowing

Esophagus – muscular tube – cardiac sphincter (also called lower esophageal sphincter)

Stomach – muscular sac – gastric glands – pyloric sphincter

Grind, mix food w/gastric juice (chyme)

Gastric Juice:

HCL

Intrinsic Factor

Pepsin ->Proteins-> Peptides

Gastrin

Small Intestine – main absorption occurs here

Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum

Peristalsis Mixing

Intestinal Juice: contains NO digestive enzymes, but mixes food w/alkaline secretion.

Enzymes embedded in mucosal membranes:

1. Peptidase = Protein ->aa

2. Sucrase, maltase, lactase = dissacch -> monosacch

3. Lipase=Fats-> FA, glycerol

4. Enterokinase – activates trypsin

Pancreas

Pancreatic Juice:

1. Sodium bicarbonate= neutralize chyme

2. Enzymes

- Amylase= starch->sugar

- Lipase=fats-> FA, glycerol

- Peptidases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase = peptides-> aa

- Nuclease

1. Secretin

(release)

2. Cholecystokinin

(CCK)

(release)

Liver: makes bile

Gallbladder: Stores and concentrates bile

Bile – not an enzyme, emulsifies fats and aids absorption

CCK

Large Intestine: Cecum, ascending colon, descending colon, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, anal canal, orifice

Absorbs H2O and minerals, prepares wastes for excretion

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