ATLAND Nursing
Gastrointestinal System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
The functions of the GI revolve around ingestion and elimination of wastes through the removal
of fecal matter.
The functions of different organs are listed below.
The main functions of the Gastrointestinal System
1. Digestion
- Food particles are broken down mechanically (mastication) and chemically (enzymes).
2. Absorption
- Nutrients move into the small intestine and water into the large intestine.
3. Metabolism
- Involves all chemical reactions that enable energy utilization and generation
processes.
Structures
1. Mouth
- Aids in the physical and chemical breakdown of food particles.
2. Oesophagus
-Allows for the passage of food particles from the pharynx to the stomach through
peristalsis.
ATLAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
,3. Stomach
-Acts as a temporal storage for food after leaving the esophagus, food is then broken
down, and mixed with gastric juice.
-The parietal cells produce hydrochloric acid which activates the gastric enzymes.
-The gastric mucosa lines the stomach and is protected from the hydrochloric acid by the
secreted mucus.
ATLAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,4. Small intestine
-Has three parts duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, involved majorly in food absorption.
-The mucosa wall of the small intestine has finger-like projections called the villi which
increase the surface area for absorption.
5. Large intestine
-absorbs water and eliminates wastes.
6. Liver
-Plays a major role in food metabolism, bile production, and Vitamin A, D, E, and K.
absorption.
7. Gall bladder – concentrates and store bile.
ATLAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, 8. Pancreas
-Pancreatic juice facilitates the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
-Pancreas is made up of islet cells including the Alpha cells which secrete glucagon and
Beta cells which secrete insulin.
ATLAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
Gastrointestinal System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
The functions of the GI revolve around ingestion and elimination of wastes through the removal
of fecal matter.
The functions of different organs are listed below.
The main functions of the Gastrointestinal System
1. Digestion
- Food particles are broken down mechanically (mastication) and chemically (enzymes).
2. Absorption
- Nutrients move into the small intestine and water into the large intestine.
3. Metabolism
- Involves all chemical reactions that enable energy utilization and generation
processes.
Structures
1. Mouth
- Aids in the physical and chemical breakdown of food particles.
2. Oesophagus
-Allows for the passage of food particles from the pharynx to the stomach through
peristalsis.
ATLAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
,3. Stomach
-Acts as a temporal storage for food after leaving the esophagus, food is then broken
down, and mixed with gastric juice.
-The parietal cells produce hydrochloric acid which activates the gastric enzymes.
-The gastric mucosa lines the stomach and is protected from the hydrochloric acid by the
secreted mucus.
ATLAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,4. Small intestine
-Has three parts duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, involved majorly in food absorption.
-The mucosa wall of the small intestine has finger-like projections called the villi which
increase the surface area for absorption.
5. Large intestine
-absorbs water and eliminates wastes.
6. Liver
-Plays a major role in food metabolism, bile production, and Vitamin A, D, E, and K.
absorption.
7. Gall bladder – concentrates and store bile.
ATLAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, 8. Pancreas
-Pancreatic juice facilitates the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
-Pancreas is made up of islet cells including the Alpha cells which secrete glucagon and
Beta cells which secrete insulin.
ATLAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
