Which Of The Following Helps Filter The Blood And Has No Digestive Function

Tum & Duodenum

The stomach is a J-shaped sac connecting the esophagus above and the modest intestine below. The start role of the small intestine is known equally the duodenum. The tum varies considerably in size, shape and position but lies in the upper key part of the abdomen behind the lower ribs. Although it is a unmarried organ, several different parts of the stomach be: the fundus, body, antrum and pylorus. Nutrient passes through the pylorus and into the duodenum where further digestion occurs.

The breadbasket wall is composed of iv layers. The inner lining (mucosa) consists of millions of microscopic glands which secrete gastric juices. Beneath this is a supporting layer (submucosa) and beneath this is the muscle layer. This is responsible for tum contractions and emptying. Finally in that location is a thin outer covering known as the serosa.

The stomach and duodenum have a rich claret supply, derived from the aorta (the main artery in the trunk) and are also supplied by fretfulness from the spinal cord.

An illustration of the stomach and its layers.

Function and Command

The stomach carries out several different functions. It acts as the major store for nutrient during a repast and tin can agree up to 1.v litres of food and fluid. Special cells (parietal cells) in the glands of the inner lining of the tummy secrete powerful hydrochloric acid that assistance break downwards food in the stomach. Other special cells release protein-digesting enzymes (pepsinogens) which go active in the acid environment and brainstorm digesting protein. The stomach secretes a number of other important substances including hormones to regulate the functions of the stomach, mucus to protect the gastric lining from impairment by acrid, and a substance (intrinsic factor) which is necessary for the body to absorb vitamin B12 from the diet.

Coordinated contractions of the breadbasket are important for grinding and mixing ingested food with the gastric secretions. This ensures good mixing of tum contents and also helps to filter out partially digested food to preclude big pieces from entering the duodenum. Lastly, partially digested nutrient and liquids are carefully emptied from the stomach, through the pylorus, into the duodenum. These processes of secreting gastric juices, mixing food and gastric emptying are usually carefully regulated and involve the coordinated action of hormones, nerves, and muscles.

Once food enters the duodenum, its acidity is neutralized by mixing with alkaline juices from the pancreas and bile in preparation for further digestion and assimilation lower down the small intestine.

Dysfunction

Disorders of the stomach and the duodenum are extremely common and a considerable source of suffering in the population. Upper abdominal hurting, indigestion and heartburn may affect up to 25% of the population each year and these symptoms crusade suffering, fearfulness most serious disease, time off work and reduced quality of life.

Problems may ascend from a number of different mechanisms and lead to a variety of symptoms. The integrity of the inner lining (mucosa) of the stomach depends on a conscientious rest between the "ambitious" factors (such as acrid) which tend to damage the lining and "defensive" factors (such as mucus) which help to protect the delicate surface lining. Disruption of this balance caused by also much acid (or weakened defense) can result in erosions or ulcers with symptoms including upper abdominal pain, indigestion or heartburn, nausea and/or vomiting.

In other patients, symptoms may result from issues with tummy emptying. This tin can either exist the result of a concrete blockage (i.due east. scarring from an ulcer or a malignant tumor at the pylorus) or else it tin can result from abnormal control of tummy elimination (known as gastroparesis). Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, airsickness afterward meals, lack of appetite and early on satiety (inability to swallow a total meal or feeling full after just a small amount of nutrient).

Erosions, ulcers and tumors may cause haemorrhage. If the bleeding is brisk and of sufficient quantity it may result in airsickness of bright blood-red claret (hematemesis). Blood which has been in the tum for any length of time undergoes partial digestion and turns black in color. This leads to vomiting of black fluid ("coffee grounds") or the passage of gummy black stools (melena) every bit the claret passes down through the digestive tract. A small percentage of ulcers and other abnormalities in the tummy bleed very slowly over a long fourth dimension and the patient is unaware of the bleeding. Somewhen the body's atomic number 26 stores run out and anemia develops. Gastrointestinal bleeding is discussed further beneath.

Ulcers, tumors and other stomach problems may all produce very like symptoms and it is non possible to determine the crusade from symptoms solitary. Patients with persistent or worrying symptoms require investigation, normally by endoscopy, to make a diagnosis and select advisable treatment.

Health Maintenance

Diet

Diet is believed to be important in the development of upper intestinal symptoms merely there is little scientific evidence to incriminate individual foods or dietary components in causing particular symptoms. In that location is no specific diet which is known either to predispose to (or protect against) the development of peptic ulcers. In general, a sensible, balanced and healthy nutrition is recommended but people should avert foods which they feel clearly upset their stomachs or provoke symptoms. Regular, unhurried meals are also important.

Smoking

Smoking is an important factor in causing disorders of the stomach and duodenum. Tobacco contains compounds which increases acid product, impair production of protective mucus and damage the lining of the breadbasket, thereby predisposing to erosion and ulcers.

Excess alcohol intake, especially spirits or hard liquor, irritates the gastric lining and may also play a role in causing gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer.

A variety of medications may cause bug in the tum and duodenum. Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAID'south) used to care for muscular and arthritic hurting, commonly impairment the tum lining and crusade erosions, ulcers and haemorrhage from the breadbasket and duodenum. Other medications interfere with gastric elimination and cause nausea, bloating or vomiting. If you endure from problems with your tum, you should always consult your doctor before taking whatsoever new medications.

The role of psychological stress in the development of symptoms of indigestion and peptic ulcer affliction is non clear. Periods of stress can make most medical conditions worse just whether stress specifically predisposes people to the development of peptic ulcers is not articulate at present.