Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 8e
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 8e
8th Edition
ISBN: 9780323358286
Author: Linda Lane Lilley PhD RN, Shelly Rainforth Collins PharmD, Julie S. Snyder MSN RN-BC
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Question
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Chapter 51, Problem 1O
Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract including the process of peristalsis.

Concept Introduction:

The gastrointestinal tract is an organ system in which the food materials are passed and the nutrients are extracted and the waste materials are excreted. It is also termed as the GI tract, digestive tract, or alimentary canal. It is a combination of a series of hollow organs that appears in the twisted and the long form of tubes that starts from the mouth and ends up in the anus.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Explanation of Solution

The anatomy and physiology of the organs that are involved in the GI tract are:

Mouth: The food particles are ground into small pieces and mixes with the saliva in the mouth through which the food materials are masticated and swallowed.

Esophagus: It is a long, thin, muscular tube that passes the masticated food substances from the mouth to the stomach.

Stomach: It is a pear-shaped structure that links the small intestine and the esophagus. It is the place where the swallowed food gets digested with the help of digestive and gastric enzymes.

Small intestine: It is a long and twisted tube that forms a junction between the stomach and the large intestine. The absorption of nutrients from the food substances takes place in the small intestine. It is divided into three regions namely, ileum, duodenum, and jejunum.

Large intestine: The main function of the large intestine is the absorption of water from the remaining undigested food. It excretes the waste materials from the body.

Anus: It is a canal that is located in the pelvic floor of the body through which the waste materials from the large intestine are excreted out. It is controlled by two sphincters which allow the gas and feces to expel out from the body.

PERISTALSIS:

The constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the GI tract is termed as peristalsis. It is an involuntary process. It is a process in which wavelike movements are created in order to push forward the contents of food materials into the other series of canals in the GI tract.

Conclusion

The process of peristalsis and the anatomy and physiology of the GI tract is discussed.

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