DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 171

EXERCISES
Remember to check your answers carefully with the “Answers to Exercises”, pages 179 and 180.

A Match the following digestive system structures with their meanings below.
anus esophagus liver
cecum gallbladder pancreas
colon ileum pharynx
duodenum jejunum sigmoid colon
1. consists of ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid sections ________________________
2. small sac under the liver; stores bile __________________________________________________
3. first part of the large intestine _______________________________________________________
4. end of the digestive tract opening to the outside of the body _______________________________
5. second part of the small intestine ____________________________________________________
6. tube connecting the throat to the stomach _____________________________________________
7. third part of the small intestine ______________________________________________________
8. large organ in the RUQ; secretes bile, stores sugar, produces blood proteins __________________
9. throat ___________________________________________________________________________
5
10. lowest part of the colon ____________________________________________________________
11. first part of the small intestine _______________________________________________________
12. organ under the stomach; produces insulin and digestive enzymes _________________________
 172 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

B Label the following flow chart of the pathway of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
The terms you will need are listed below:
anus gallbladder rectum
ascending colon ileum salivary glands
cecum jejunum sigmoid colon
descending colon liver stomach
duodenum pancreas transverse colorn
esophagus pharynx

Food enters the...

ORAL CAVITY
Saliva

Bile
Enzymes

Bile

Small intestine
5

Large intestine

Feces leave the body

 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 173

C Circle the term that fits the given definition. You should be able to define the other terms
as well!
1. microscopic projections in the walls of the small intestine:
papillae villi rugae
2. salivary gland near the ear:
submandibular sublingual parotid
3. ring of muscle at the end of the stomach:
pyloric sphincter uvula lower esophageal sphincter
4. soft, inner section of a tooth:
dentin enamel pulp
5. chemical that speeds up reactions and helps digest foods:
triglyceride amino acid enzyme
6. pigment released with bile:
glycogen bilirubin melena
7. hormone produced by endocrine cells of the pancreas:
insulin amylase lipase
8. rhythm-like contraction of the muscles in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract:
deglutition mastication peristalsis
9. breakdown of large fat globules:
absorption emulsification anabolism
5
10. pointed, dog-like tooth medial to premolars:
incisor canine molar

D Complete the following.

1. Labi/o and cheil/o mean ____________________________________________________________
2. Gloss/o and lingu/o mean ___________________________________________________________
3. Or/o and stomat/o mean ____________________________________________________________
4. Dent/i and odont/o mean ___________________________________________________________
5. Lapar/o and celi/o mean ____________________________________________________________
6. Gluc/o and glyc/o mean ____________________________________________________________
7. Lip/o, steat/o, and adip/o mean ______________________________________________________
8. The suffixes -iasis and -osis mean ____________________________________________________
9. Chol/e and bil/i mean ______________________________________________________________
10. Resection and -ectomy mean ________________________________________________________
 174 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

E Build medical terms based on the given definitions.

1. removal of a salivary gland __________________________________________________________
2. pertaining to the throat ____________________________________________________________
3. hernia of the rectum _______________________________________________________________
4. enlargement of the liver ____________________________________________________________
5. surgical repair of the roof of the mouth _______________________________________________
6. after meals _______________________________________________________________________
7. visual examination of the anal and rectal region ________________________________________
8. study of the cause (of disease) _______________________________________________________
9. incision of the common bile duct ____________________________________________________
10. pertaining to teeth and cheek _______________________________________________________
11. disease condition of the small intestine ________________________________________________
12. new opening between the common bile duct and the jejunum _____________________________
13. pertaining to surrounding the anus ___________________________________________________
14. new opening from the colon to the outside of the body ___________________________________
15. under the lower jaw _______________________________________________________________
5
16. pertaining to the face ______________________________________________________________

F Match the following doctors or dentists with their specialties.

colorectal surgeon nephrologist periodontist
endodontist oral surgeon proctologist
gastroenterologist orthodontist urologist
1. treats disorders of the anus and rectum _______________________________________________
2. operates on the organs of the urinary tract _____________________________________________
3. straightens teeth __________________________________________________________________
4. performs root canal therapy _________________________________________________________
5. operates on the mouth and teeth _____________________________________________________
6. treats kidney disorders _____________________________________________________________
7. diagnoses and treats gastrointestinal disorders __________________________________________
8. treats gum disease ________________________________________________________________
9. operates on the intestinal tract ______________________________________________________
 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 175

G Build medical terms to describe the following inflammations.

1. inflammation of the appendix _______________________________________________________
2. inflammation of the large intestine ___________________________________________________
3. inflammation of the passageway from the throat to the stomach ___________________________
4. inflammation of the membrane surrounding the abdomen ________________________________
5. inflammation of the gallbladder ______________________________________________________
6. inflammation of the third part of the small intestine _____________________________________
7. inflammation of the pancreas _______________________________________________________
8. inflammation of the gums __________________________________________________________
9. inflammation of the liver ___________________________________________________________
10. inflammation of the mouth _________________________________________________________
11. inflammation of the salivary gland ___________________________________________________
12. inflammation of the small and large intestines __________________________________________

H Match the following terms with their meanings below.

anastomosis gluconeogenesis mesentery
biliary glycogenolysis mucosa
defecation hyperbilirubinemia parenteral 5
cheilitis hyperglycemia portal vein
1. high level of blood sugar ___________________________________________________________
2. inflammation of the lip _____________________________________________________________
3. pertaining to administration of medicines and fluid other than by mouth ____________________
4. mucous membrane ________________________________________________________________
5. expulsion of feces from the body through the anus ______________________________________
6. breakdown (conversion) of starch to sugar _____________________________________________
7. fan-like membrane that connects the small intestine to the abdominal wall _____________________
8. large vessel that takes blood to the liver from the intestines _______________________________
9. new surgical connection between structures or organs ___________________________________
10. pertaining to bile ducts ____________________________________________________________
11. process of forming new sugar from proteins and fats _____________________________________
12. high levels of a bile pigment in the bloodstream ________________________________________
 176 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

I Give the names of the following gastrointestinal signs or symptoms based on their descriptions.
1. passage of bright red blood from the rectum ___________________________________________
2. lack of appetite ___________________________________________________________________
3. fat in the feces ____________________________________________________________________
4. black, tarry stools; feces containing digested blood ______________________________________
5. abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen ________________________________________
6. rumbling noise produced by gas in the GI tract _________________________________________
7. gas expelled through the anus _______________________________________________________
8. an unpleasant sensation in the stomach and a tendency to vomit ___________________________
9. loose, watery stools ________________________________________________________________
10. difficulty in passing stools (feces) ____________________________________________________
11. difficulty in swallowing _____________________________________________________________
12. gas expelled from the stomach through the mouth ______________________________________

J Write short answers for the following questions.

1. What is jaundice? _________________________________________________________________

5 2. List three ways in which a patient can become jaundiced

a. ______________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________________
3. What does it mean when a disease is described as idiopathic? ______________________________

K Select from the list of pathologic conditions to make a diagnosis.

achalasia colorectal cancer herpetic stomatitis
anal fistula Crohn disease (Crohn’s) oral leukoplakia
aphthous stomatitis dental caries pancreatic cancer
colonic polyps esophageal cancer periodontal disease
1. Mr. Jones, a smoker and heavy drinker, complained of dysphagia in recent months.
A longstanding condition of Barrett esophagus resulted in his malignant condition.
Diagnosis: ________________________ .
2. An abnormal tube-like passageway near his anus caused Mr. Rosen’s proctalgia. His doctor
performed surgery to close off the abnormality. Diagnosis: ________________________ .
3. Carol’s dentist informed her that the enamel of three teeth was damaged by bacteria-producing
acid. Diagnosis: ________________________ .
 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 177
4. Paola’s symptoms of chronic diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever led her doctor to suspect
that she suffered from an inflammatory bowel disease affecting the distal portion of her ileum.
The doctor prescribed steroid drugs to heal her condition. Diagnosis: ________________________.
5. Mr. Hart learned that his colonoscopy showed the presence of small benign growths protruding
from the mucous membrane of his large intestine. Diagnosis: ________________________ .
6. During a routine dental checkup, Dr. Friedman discovered white plaques on Mr. Longo’s buccal
mucosa. He advised Mr. Longo, who was a chronic smoker and heavy drinker, to have these
precancerous lesions removed. Diagnosis: ________________________ .
7. Every time Carl had a stressful time at work, he developed a fever blister (cold sore) on his lip,
resulting from reactivation of a previous viral infection. His doctor told him that there was no
treatment 100% effective in preventing the reappearance of these lesions.
Diagnosis: ________________________ .
8. Mr. Green had a biopsy of a neoplastic lesion in his descending colon. The pathology report
indicated a malignancy. A partial colectomy was necessary. Diagnosis: _______________________.
9. Small ulcers (canker sores) appeared on Diane’s gums. They were painful and annoying.
Diagnosis: ________________________ .
10. Sharon’s failure to floss her teeth and remove dental plaque regularly led to development of
gingivitis and pyorrhea. Her dentist advised consulting a specialist who could treat her condition.
Diagnosis: ________________________ .
5
11. Imaging tests revealed a tumor in a section of Mr. Smith’s pancreas. His physician told him that
since it had not spread, he could hope for a cure with surgery. He had a pancreatoduodenectomy
(Whipple procedure), which was successful. Diagnosis: ________________________ .
12. Mr. Clark complained of pain during swallowing. His physician explained that the pain was caused
by a failure of muscles in his lower esophagus to relax during swallowing.
Diagnosis: ________________________ .
 178 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

L Match the following pathologic diagnoses with their definitions.

cholecystolithiasis (gallstones) hemorrhoids pancreatitis
cirrhosis hiatal hernia peptic ulcer
diverticulosis ileus ulcerative colitis
dysentery intussusception viral hepatitis
esophageal varices irritable bowel syndrome volvulus
1. protrusion of the upper part of the stomach through the diaphragm ________________________
2. painful, inflamed intestines caused by bacterial infection _________________________________
3. swollen, twisted veins in the rectal region _____________________________________________
4. open sore or lesion of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum __________________
5. loss of peristalsis __________________________________________________________________
6. twisting of the intestine on itself _____________________________________________________
7. swollen, varicose veins on the surface of the distal portion of the esophagus __________________
8. abnormal outpouchings in the intestinal wall __________________________________________
9. chronic inflammation of the colon with destruction of its inner surface ______________________
10. telescoping of the intestines _________________________________________________________
11. inflammation of the liver caused by type A, type B, or type C virus __________________________

5 12. inflammation of the pancreas _______________________________________________________

13. calculi in the sac that stores bile _____________________________________________________
14. chronic degenerative liver disease with scarring resulting from alcoholism or infectious hepatitis
_________________________________________________________________________________
15. gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, bloating) with no evidence of
structural abnormalities ____________________________________________________________

M Complete the following terms from their meanings given below.

1. membrane (peritoneal fold) that holds the intestines together: mes _______________________
2. removal of the gallbladder: _______________________ ectomy
3. black or dark brown, tarry stools containing blood: mel _______________________
4. high levels of pigment in the blood (jaundice): hyper _______________________
5. pertaining to under the tongue: sub _______________________
6. twisting of the intestine on itself: vol _______________________
7. organ under the stomach that produces insulin and digestive enzymes:
pan _______________________
8. lack of appetite: an _______________________
9. swollen, twisted veins in the rectal region: _______________________ oids
 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 179
10. new connection between two previously unconnected tubes: ana _______________________
11. absence of acid in the stomach: a _______________________
12. return of solids and fluids to the mouth from the stomach: gastro re _______________________
disease
13. removal of soft tissue hanging from the roof of the mouth: _______________________ ectomy
14. formation of stones: _______________________ genesis.

ANSWERS TO EXERCISES
A
1. colon 5. jejunum 9. pharynx
2. gallbladder 6. esophagus 10. sigmoid colon
3. cecum 7. ileum 11. duodenum
4. anus 8. liver 12. pancreas

B
See Figure 5-12 on page 149.

C
1. Villi. Papillae are nipple-like 4. Pulp. Dentin is the hard part of the 8. Peristalsis. Deglutition is
projections in the tongue where tooth directly under the enamel swallowing, and mastication is
taste buds are located, and rugae and in the root, and enamel is the chewing.
are folds in the mucous membrane hard, outermost part of the tooth 9. Emulsification. Absorption is the
of the stomach and hard palate.
2. Parotid. The submandibular gland
composing the crown.
5. Enzyme. A triglyceride is a large fat
passage of materials through the
walls of the small intestine into
5
is under the lower jaw, and the molecule, and an amino acid is a the bloodstream, and anabolism is
sublingual gland is under the substance produced when proteins the process of building up proteins
tongue. are digested. in a cell (protein synthesis).
3. Pyloric sphincter. The uvula is soft 6. Bilirubin. Glycogen is animal 10. Canine. An incisor is one of the
tissue hanging from the soft palate, starch that is produced in liver four front teeth in the dental arch
and the lower esophageal sphincter cells from sugar, and melena is (not pointed or like a dog’s tooth),
is a ring of muscle between the dark, tarry stools. and a molar is any of three large
esophagus and stomach. 7. Insulin. Amylase and lipase are teeth just behind (distal to) the two
digestive enzymes produced by the premolar teeth.
exocrine cells of the pancreas.

D
1. lip 5. abdomen 8. abnormal condition
2. tongue 6. sugar 9. gall, bile
3. mouth 7. fat 10. removal, excision
4. tooth

E
1. sialadenectomy 6. postprandial (post cibum—cib/o 11. enteropathy
2. pharyngeal refers to meals or feeding) 12. choledochojejunostomy
3. rectocele 7. proctoscopy 13. perianal
4. hepatomegaly 8. etiology 14. colostomy
5. palatoplasty 9. choledochotomy 15. submandibular
10. dentibuccal 16. facial

F
1. proctologist 4. endodontist 7. gastroenterologist
2. urologist 5. oral surgeon 8. periodontist
3. orthodontist 6. nephrologist 9. colorectal surgeon
 180 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

G
1. appendicitis 6. ileitis 11. sialadenitis
2. colitis 7. pancreatitis 12. enterocolitis (when two combining
3. esophagitis 8. gingivitis forms for gastrointestinal organs
4. peritonitis (note that the e is 9. hepatitis are in a term, use the one that is
dropped) 10. stomatitis closest to the mouth first)
5. cholecystitis

H
1. hyperglycemia 5. defecation 9. anastomosis
2. cheilitis 6. glycogenolysis 10. biliary
3. parenteral 7. mesentery 11. gluconeogenesis
4. mucosa 8. portal vein 12. hyperbilirubinemia

I
1. hematochezia 5. ascites 9. diarrhea
2. anorexia 6. borborygmus 10. constipation
3. steatorrhea 7. flatus 11. dysphagia
4. melena 8. nausea 12. eructation

J
1. yellow-orange coloration of the b. obstruction of bile flow, so that c. excessive hemolysis leading to
skin and other tissues bile and bilirubin are not overproduction of bilirubin and
(hyperbilirubinemia) excreted and accumulate in the high levels in the bloodstream
2. a. any liver disease (hepatopathy— bloodstream 3. cause is not known
such as cirrhosis, hepatoma, or
hepatitis), so that bilirubin is not
processed into bile and cannot be
excreted in feces
5 K
1. esophageal cancer 5. colonic polyps 9. aphthous stomatitis
2. anal fistula 6. oral leukoplakia 10. periodontal disease
3. dental caries 7. herpetic stomatitis 11. pancreatic cancer
4. Crohn disease (Crohn’s) 8. colorectal cancer 12. achalasia

L
1. hiatal hernia 6. volvulus 11. viral hepatitis
2. dysentery 7. esophageal varices 12. pancreatitis
3. hemorrhoids 8. diverticulosis 13. cholecystolithiasis (gallstones)
4. peptic ulcer 9. ulcerative colitis 14. cirrhosis
5. ileus 10. intussusception 15. irritable bowel syndrome

M
1. mesentery 6. volvulus 11. achlorhydria
2. cholecystectomy 7. pancreas 12. gastroesophageal reflux
3. melena 8. anorexia 13. uvulectomy
4. hyperbilirubinemia 9. hemorrhoids 14. lithogenesis
5. sublingual 10. anastomosis