Digestive System, Part 1
Barium sulfate is available as a dry powder or as a liquid. True or false?
True.
The _____passes inferiorly and medially to its junction with the sigmoid portion at the superior aperture of the lesser pelvis.
descending colon
The continuation of the transverse colon is the ______.
descending colon
The upper stomach is attached to the ____.
diaphragm
Where does the duodenal bulb lie in hypersthenic patients?
At approximately the level of T11 or T12, to the right of the midline.
How often do localized contractions occur in the duodenum and jejunum?
At intervals of 3-4 seconds during digestion.
Where does the esophagus originate?
At the level of the sixth cervical vertebra, or the upper margin of the thyroid cartilage.
Where does the esophagogastric junction lie?
At the level of the xiphoid tip (T11).
Food that has been mechanically and chemically altered in the stomach is transported to the duodenum as a material called ____.
chyme
Activity gradually _____ along the intestinal tract until it becomes fairly slow in the distal part of the large bowel.
decreases
The lower three-fifths of the small intestine is referred to as the ____.
ileum
Inferior to the diaphragm, the esophagus ____ in diameter.
increases
From the left side, the stomach lies just ____ to the diaphragm.
inferior
The body of the stomach can be seen to curve ___ and ___ from the fundus.
inferior; anterior
From the right side, the appendix extends ____ from the cecum.
inferiorly
When the stomach is full, the rugae is ____.
smooth.
The left colic flexure is formerly known as the ______.
splenic flexure
The air-barium line will tend to be a ____ line in the erect position compared to the prone and supine positions.
straight
Whether one is in full expiration or inspiration affects the ____ extent of the stomach.
superior
Some barium preparations contain gums or other suspending or dispersing agents and are referred to as ____ or _____ preparations.
suspended; flocculation-resistant
The muscular portion of the intestinal wall contains an external band of longitudinal muscle that forms into three thickened bands called ______.
taeniae coli
The first part of a "barium meal" normally reaches the ileocecal valve in _____ hours.
2-3
What is the average emptying time of a normal stomach?
2-3 hours.
What makes it easy to show the esophagus on a radiographic image?
A contrast medium.
In esophageal examinations, use an exposure time of ___ second or less for upright images. The time may be slightly longer for recumbent images because the barium descends more slowly when patients are in a recumbent position.
0.1
In examinations of the stomach and small intestine, the radiographer should use an exposure time no longer than ___ second for patients with normal peristaltic activity.
0.2
In examinations of the stomach and small intestine, the an exposure time should never exceed ____ seconds.
0.5
How long is the distal portion of the rectum?
1 inch.
How long does it normally take for an iodinated solution to clear the stomach?
1-2 hours.
What percentage of the population designates the asthenic type?
10%.
The adult esophagus is approximately ___ inches long and ___ inch in diameter.
10; 3/4
The cecum is approximately ____ inches long and ____ inches in diameter.
2 1/2; 3
The length of the adult small intestine averages about ___ ft, and its diameter gradually diminishes from approximately ____ inches in the proximal part to approximately ____ inch in the distal part.
22; 1 1/2; 1
How many waves of peristalsis occur per minute in the filled stomach?
3 or 4.
How long is the second portion of the duodenum?
3-4 inches.
What percentage of the population designates the hyposthenic type?
35%.
How long does it take for the entire iodinated contrast column o reach and outline the colon?
4 hours.
The last portion of a "barium meal" normally reaches the ileocecal valve in ____ hours.
4-5
What percentage of the population designates the hypersthenic type?
5%.
What percentage of the population designates the sthenic type?
50%.
How long is the rectum?
6 inches.
How long is the duodenum?
8-10 inches long.
What is the purpose of the gastric canal and how is it formed?
A gastric fold is formed by rugae along the lesser curvature and is believed to funnel fluids directly to the pylorus.
What is the esophagus?
A long, muscular tube that carries food and saliva from the laryngopharynx to the stomach.
What is the alimentary canal?
A musculomembranous tube that extends from the mouth to the anus.
What is barium sulfate?
A water-insoluble salt of the metallic element barium; the contrast medium universally used in examinations of the alimentary canal; a specially prepared, chemically pure product to which various chemical substances have been added.
Where does the body of the stomach end?
At a vertical plane passing through the angular notch.
What breaks down food in the stomach?
Acids, enzymes, and other chemicals are secreted to break food down chemically. Food is also mechanically broken down through churning and peristalsis.
What four things should be done in preparation of the examination room before the patient enters?
Adjust equipment controls to the appropriate settings, have the footboard and shoulder support available, check for proper operation of the imaging and recording devices, and prepare the required type and amount of contrast medium.
Where does the descending colon lie (from the left side)?
Against the posterior abdominal wall.
Where is air found in the stomach of a patient that is erect?
Air will rise to fill the fundus.
Where will air travel in the stomach of a patient that is supine?
Air will rise to the distal end of the stomach including the pyloric portion.
Describe the use of a compression cone.
An image intensification system used in fluoroscopy has an attached compression cone that comes in contact with the patients abdomen. This device is often used during general fluoroscopic examinations.
The colon is subdivided into what four portions?
Ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid.
What is the contrast medium universally used in examinations of the alimentary canal?
Barium sulfate.
Which outlines the esophagus and adheres better to the mucosa? Orally administered iodinated medium or barium sulfate?
Barium sulfate.
Where will barium travel in the stomach of a patient that is erect?
Barium will descend by gravity to fill the pyloric portion of the stomach.
Why do we need to use an artificial contrast medium to demonstrate the alimentary canal?
Because the thin-walled alimentary canal does not have sufficient density to shown through the surround structures.
When should the examination room be completely prepared?
Before the patient enters.
From the right side, where does the cecum and appendix lie?
Below the level of the iliac crest.
Where does the spleen of the circulatory system located (from the left side)?
Between the stomach and the posterior abdominal wall.
When studying recumbent radiographs of a stomach containing both air and barium sulfate, how can you determine the patient's position?
By the relative locations of air versus barium within the stomach.
What two ways can't be alimentary canal be imaged?
By using only fluoroscopy or using a combination of fluoroscopy and radiography.
What four parts make up the stomach?
Cardia, fundus, body, and the pyloric portion.
What are the four main parts of the large intestine?
Cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal.
After being absorbed primarily by the small intestine to a very small degree by the stomach, where are the digestive end products (along with water, vitamins and minerals) transported?
Circulatory system.
What three portions are the small intestine divided into?
Duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
What two organs are for swallowing?
Esophagus and pharynx.
Beginning from the outermost layer and moving in, what are the four layers of the esophagus?
Fibrous layer, muscular layer, submucosal layer, and the mucosal layer.
What are three reasons to use fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy makes it possible to observe the canal in motion, perform special mucosal studies, and determine the subsequent procedure required for a complete examination.
Where does the rectum lie/extend?
Following the sacrococcygeal curve, the rectum passes inferiorly and posteriorly to the level of the pelvic floor and bends sharply anterior my and inferiorly into the anal canal, which extends to the anus.
Where does the small intestine extend?
From the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the ileocecal valve, where it joins the large intestine at a right angle.
Where does the rectum extend?
From the sigmoid colon to the anal canal.
What is the most superior portion of the stomach and is located posterior to the body of the stomach?
Fundus.
Describe a hyposthenic/asthenic patient.
Generally tall and thin with a long torso.
What are the four general classes of body habitus?
Hypersthenic (massive), sthenic (average), hyposthenic (slender), and asthenic (very slender).
What are the three most common body types?
Hypersthenic, sthenic and asthenic.
Sthenic is a more slender version of which body habitus?
Hypersthenic.
Where does the cardiac antrum lie?
In the abdomen.
Where does the greater part of the alimentary canal (about 29 to 30 feet long) lie?
In the abdominal cavity.
Where is air found in the stomach of a patient that is prone?
In the fundus.
Where does the duodenal loop lie?
In the second portion of the duodenum.
What are the three primary functions of the digestive system?
Ingestion/digestion, absorption, and elimination.
Which moves quicker through the gastrointestinal tract? Iodinated solutions or barium sulfate suspensions?
Iodinated solutions.
What is the function of villi?
It assists in the process of digestion and absorption.
Where does the transverse colon lie?
It crosses the abdomen to the undersurface of the spleen.
Why is it important to understand the relationship of the stomach's components?
It is important in the distribution of air and barium in the stomach in specific body positions.
Where does the second portion of the duodenum extend?
It passes inferiorly along the head of the pancreas and in close relation to the undersurface of the liver.
Where does the third portion of the duodenum lie?
It passes toward the left at a slight superior inclination for a distance of about inches 2 1/2 and continues as the fourth portion on the left side of the vertebrae.
Where does the elimination process take place?
Large intestine.
Which organ is of egestion and water absorption?
Large intestine.
Where is the pyloric portion and the duodenal bulb located in sthenic patients?
Level of L2, near midline.
Where is the pyloric portion located in asthenic patients?
Level of L3-L4, to the left of the midline.
Where is the pyloric portion located in hypersthenic patients?
Level of T11-T12 at the midline.
What type of body build do hypersthenic patients have? Explain.
Massive. The chest and abdomen are very broad and deep from front to back. The lungs are short and the diaphragm is high. The transverse colon is quite high, and the entire large intestine extends to the periphery of the abdominal cavity. Generally shorter in height with broad shoulders and hips and short torso (less distance between the lower rib cage and iliac crests). Abdominal cavity is widest at the upper margin.
In what anatomical plane does the esophagus lie?
Midsagittal plane.
Describe a sthenic patient.
Near average in height, weight and length of torso. (May be somewhat heavier than average with some hypersthenic characteristics.)
Where is the duodenal bulb located in hyposthenic/asthenic patients?
Near the midline at the level of L3 or L4.
Where is the gallbladder located in hyposthenic and asthenic patients?
Near the midline or slightly to the right and just above, or at the level of the iliac crest, or approximately L3-4.
Where does ingestion and/or digestion take place?
Oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach and small intestine.
Which affords an entirely satisfactory examination of the stomach and duodenum including mucosal delineation? Orally administered iodinated medium or barium sulfate?
Orally administered iodinated medium.
Which permits a rapid survey of the entire small intestine but fails to provide clear anatomic detail of this portion of the alimentary canal (this failure results in dilution of the contrast medium and the resultant decrease in opacification)? Orally administered iodinated medium or barium sulfate?
Orally administered iodinated medium.
Where is peristaltic action greatest in the intestines? Where is it lowest?
Peristaltic action in the intestines is greatest in the upper part of the canal and gradually decreases toward the lower portion.
What are the main functions of the large intestine?
Reabsorption of fluids and elimination of waste products.
What is another name for a gastric fold?
Rugae.
Where does absorption of the digestive end products along with water, vitamins and minerals take place?
Small intestine (and stomach).
In what part of the alimentary canal does digestion and absorption of food occur?
Small intestine.
Where is the digestive process completed?
Small intestine.
Which body habitus is considered average?
Sthenic.
In addition to body habitus, what are four other factors that can affect the position of the stomach?
Stomach contents, respiration, body position (erect vs. recumbent) and age.
Where does digestive processing begin?
Stomach.
In the lower thorax, the esophagus passes through the diaphragm at ____.
T10
Where does the GB lie in hypersthenic patients?
The GB is high and almost transverse, and lies well to the right of the midline.
What two parts make up the digestive system?
The accessory glands and the alimentary canal.
What is the purpose of the accessory glands?
The accessory glands secrete digestive enzymes into the alimentary canal.
If the large intestine contained both air and barium sulfate, which would rise and which would sink?
The air would tend to rise and the barium would tend to sink due to gravity.
Where are the three primary functions of the digestive system accomplished?
The alimentary canal.
Describe the appendix.
The appendix is a narrow, wormlike tube that is about 3 inches long.
If radiographic images are obtained post fluoroscopy, what should the radiographer inform the patient of?
The approximate number of images you will be obtaining when the fluoroscopist leaves the room.
Where does barium sink and fill in a supine patient?
The ascending and descending portions of the colon and the rectum.
What is the expanded portion of the terminal esophagus called?
The cardiac antrum.
Describe the use of the compression paddle.
The compression paddle is often placed under the duodenal bulb and inflated to place pressure on the abdomen. The air is slowly released, and the compression of the body part is eliminated.
What is the stomach and where does it extend?
The dilated, saclike portion of the digestive tract extending between the esophagus and the small intestine.
What is the rectal ampulla?
The dilation just above the anal canal.
What two locations does the gallbladder (GB) associate with in hypersthenic patients?
The duodenal bulb and the pylorus region of the stomach.
What is the segment of the first portion of the duodenum called? Why?
The duodenal bulb because of its radiographic appearance when it is filled with an opaque contrast medium.
Where is the duodenal bulb located in sthenic patients?
The duodenal bulb is at the approximate level of T1-2, to the right of the midline.
Which structure associates to the right of the pyloric canal?
The duodenal bulb.
What is the most fixed part of the small intestine and normally lies in the upper part of the umbilical region of the abdomen?
The duodenal loop.
In addition to peristaltic waves, localized contractions occur in what two places?
The duodenum and jejunum.
What part of the small intestine is the widest?
The duodenum.
Why does a hypersthenic patient require two crosswise films?
The entire large intestine extends to the periphery of the abdominal cavity in hypersthenic patients, so using two crosswise films to include the entire large intestine is generally required.
Where does the lesser curvature of the stomach begin, continue, and end?
The lesser curvature begins at the esophagogastric junction, is continuous with the right border of the esophagus, and is a concave curve ending at the pylorus.
What is the anus?
The external aperture of the large intestine.
What are the four regions of the duodenum?
The first (superior), second (descending), third (horizontal or inferior), and fourth (ascending) portions.
What does the term gyri mean?
The freely movable loops of the small intestine.
Where is the gallbladder located in sthenic patients?
The gallbladder is less transverse and lies midway between the lateral abdominal wall and the midline.
Where does the greater curvature of the stomach begin, continue, and end?
The greater curvature begins at the sharp angle of the esophagogastric junction, the cardiac notch, and follows the superior curvature of the fundus and then the convex curvature of the body down to the pylorus.
Where does the ileocecal valve lie? What does it do?
The ileocecal valve is just below the junction of the ascending colon and the cecum. The valve projects into the lumen of the cecum and guards the opening between the ileum and the cecum.
What determines and influences peristaltic speed?
The individual patient's body habitus determines peristaltic speed. It is influenced by pathologic changes, use of narcotic pain medication, body position, and respiration. The amount of exposure time for each region must be based on these factors.
Explain the position of the jejunum and ileum.
The jejunum and ileum are gathered into freely moveable loops, or gyri, and are attached to the posterior wall of the abdomen by the mesentery. The loops are in the central and lower part of the abdominal cavity within the arch of the large intestine.
Where does the large intestine begin, continue, and end?
The large intestine begins in the right iliac region, where it joins the ileum of the small intestine, forms an arch surrounding the loops of the small intestine, and ends at the anus.
How long is the large intestine? It is greater or lesser in diameter compared to the small intestine?
The large intestine is about 5 feet long and is greater in diameter than the small intestine.
Where does the left colic (splenic) flexure of the large intestine often lie in sthenic patients?
The left colic (splenic) flexure of the large intestine is often quite high, resting under the left diaphragm.
What protects the spleen?
The lower posterior rib cage.
What are the component parts of the alimentary canal?
The mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.
What is the cardiac sphincter?
The muscle controlling the cardiac orifice.
What is the pyloric sphincter?
The muscle controlling the pyloric orifice.
What is rugae and where is it located?
The numerous longitudinal folds located in the inner mucosal layer of the body of the stomach.
What is the pyloric orifice?
The opening between the stomach and the small intestine.
What determines the concentration of barium?
The part being examined and the preference of the physician.
What is the cecum?
The pouchlike portion of the large intestine that is below the junction of the ileum and the colon.
What two structures does the pyloric portion of the stomach contain?
The pyloric antrum and the pyloric canal.
Which structure is to the immediate right of the angular notch?
The pyloric antrum.
What muscle supports the duodenojejunal flexure?
The suspensory muscle of the duodenum (ligament of Treitz).
What is peristalsis?
The term applied to the contraction waves by which the digestive tube propels its contents toward the rectum.
What is the largest and movable part of the colon?
The transverse colon.
Which structures are filled with air in the prone position?
The rectum, ascending colon and descending colon.
From the right side, what four structures are retroperitoneal and thus located more posteriorly?
The right kidney, right adrenal gland, duodenum and the head of the pancreas.
The accessory glands include which four parts of the body?
The salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
What is the cardia of the stomach?
The section immediately surrounding the esophageal opening.
What is the cardiac notch?
The sharp angle of the esophagogastric junction.
Where is the highest degree of motor activity normally found in gastrointestinal radiography?
The stomach and proximal part of the small intestine.
Where does the stomach lie in hyposthenic/asthenic patients? How is it shaped?
The stomach is J-shaped (vertical) and low in the abdomen, extending from about T11 down to the level of the iliac crests to approximately L4/L5 or lower. The vertical portion of the stomach is to the left of midline. In asthenic patients, the most dependent portion extends well below the transpyloric, or interspinous, line.
Where does the stomach lie in sthenic patients? How is it shaped?
The stomach is J-shaped and is located lower than the massive body type and generally extends from the level of T10 or T11 down to about L2.
Where does the stomach lie in hypersthenic patients?
The stomach is very high and assumes a transverse (horizontal) position with its most dependent portion well above the umbilicus. The level of the stomach extends from approximately T9 to T13 with the center of the stomach about 1 inch distal to the xiphoid process.
What is the main purpose of the stomach?
The stomach serves as a storage area for food until it can be digested further. It is also where food is broken down.
What is the fundus of the stomach?
The superior portion of the stomach that expands superiorly and fills the dome of the left hemidiaphragm.
What determines the speed at which the barium mixture passes through the alimentary canal?
The suspending medium, the temperature of the medium, the consistency of the preparation, and the motile function of the alimentary canal.
Where do peristalsis waves travel in the filled stomach?
The waves begin in the upper part of the stomach and travel toward the pylorus.
What is a disadvantage of iodinated preparations?
Their strongly bitter taste, which can be masked only to a limited extent. Patients should be forewarned so that they can more easily tolerate ingestion of these agents. In addition, these iodinated contrast media are hyperosmolar, encouraging movement of excess fluid into the gastrointestinal tract lumen.
How are hyposthenic and asthenic patients different from the other types?
They are more slender and have more narrow and longer lungs with a low diaphragm. The large intestine is then very low in the abdomen, which has it's greatest capacity in the pelvic region.
What happens to the abdominal organs when the patient is erect, or even more with age and loss of muscle tone?
They tend to drop 1-2 inches.
Because all images can be obtained during fluoroscopy, what is the radiographer's role?
To communicate with and assist the patient before and after contrast administration while assisting the fluoroscopist during the procedure. Some facilities still obtain radiographic images after the fluoroscopy examination, and these images are also the responsibility of the radiographer.
Where will barium travel in the stomach of a patient that is supine?
To the fundus and upper portions of the stomach.
Where does barium gravitate in the stomach of a prone patient?
To the lower body and the pyloric portion of the stomach.
Where does the S-shaped sigmoid colon extend (from the left side)?
Toward the anterior, then loops back posteriorly to continue as the rectum.
Which two structures are filled with air in the supine position?
Transverse and sigmoid colons.
Because gastrointestinal abnormalities can cause further changes in location and motility, every patient is an individual study and meticulous attention must be given to each detail of the examination. True or false?
True.
If an individual were to swallow a barium sulfate and water mixture, along with some air, the position of the person's body would determine the distribution of the barium and air within the stomach. True or false?
True.
In esophageal examinations, barium passes through the esophagus fairly slowly if it is swallowed at the end of full inspiration. The rate of passage is increased if the barium is swallowed at the end of moderate inspiration. The barium is delayed in the lower part for several seconds, however, if it is swallowed at the end of full expiration. True or false?
True.
In esophageal examinations, respiration is inhibited for several seconds after the beginning of deglutition, which allows sufficient time for the exposure to be made without the need to instruct the patient to hold his or her breath after swallowing. True or false?
True.
In properly communicating with the patient before the examination, the radiographer should point out that the lights are dimmed in the room during fluoroscopy, and explain the need for a darkened room during the procedure. True or false?
True.
Products with finely divided barium sulfate particles tend to resist participation and remain in suspension longer then regular barium preparations. True or false?
True.
The duodenum is retroperitoneal and relatively fixed in position. True or false?
True.
The fluoroscopist will instruct the patient to move into certain positions and will provide breathing instructions. It is the radiographers job to assure the patient that you will assist, as needed. True or false?
True.
The greater curvature is four to five times longer than the lesser curvature. True or false?
True.
The position of the duodenal loop varies with body habitus and amount of gastric and intestinal contents. True or false?
True.
The radiographer must verify that the patient understands the overall procedure and then introduce the patient and the fluoroscopist to each other when the fluoroscopist enters the examining room. True or false?
True.
The regions of the alimentary canal vary in diameter according to functional requirements. True or false?
True.
The size, shape, and position of the large intestine vary greatly, depending on body habitus. True or false?
True.
The stomach and intestines vary in size, shape, position, and muscular tonus according to body habitus. True or false?
True.
The stomach wall is composed of the same four layers as the esophagus (fibrous layer, muscular layer, submucosal layer, and the mucosal layer). True or false?
True.
The wall of the large intestine contains the same four layers as the walls of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine (fibrous layer, muscular layer, submucosal layer, and the mucosal layer). True or false?
True.
The wall of the small intestine contains the same four layers as the walls of the esophagus and stomach (fibrous layer, muscular layer, submucosal layer, and the mucosal layer). True or false?
True.
What is one of the most important considerations in gastrointestinal radiography is the elimination of motion. True or false?
True.
If a water-soluble, iodinated medium escapes into the peritoneum through a preexisting perforation of the stomach or intestine, no ill effects result. True or false?
True. The medium is readily absorbed from the peritoneal cavity and excreted by the kidneys. This provides a definite advantage when perforated ulcers are being investigated.
Where does the transverse colon lie (from the left side)?
Underneath the greater omentum and far anterior in the abdominal cavity.
What is elimination in regards to the three primary functions of the digestive system?
Unused or unnecessary solid material eliminated by the large intestine.
How should the radiographer properly explain to the patient the type and administration route of the contrast medium?
Use lay terminology, such as "drinking" for orally administered agents. Explain the taste and texture of the contrast agent, such as "chalky and thick" for barium and "bitter" for iodinated agents. For an enema examination, show the tube tip and explain insertion and the potential abdominal sensations that often accompany the flow of contrast into the colon.
What is powdered barium mixed with?
Water.
When is it important to remember that the rectal and anal canal has two AP curves?
When an enema tube is inserted.
What is a gastric fold?
When the stomach is empty and the internal lining is thrown into numerous folds.
How long does it take for barium to reach the rectum?
Within 24 hours.
Compression and palpation of the ____ are often performed during an fluoroscopic examination of the alimentary canal.
abdomen
The distal portion of the rectum is constricted to form the _____.
anal canal
From the right side, the transverse colon is far _____ compared to the ascending cecum.
anterior
When a person is supine, air rises to fill those structures that are most ____.
anterior
In the thorax, the esophagus passes through the mediastinum, _____ to the vertebral bodies and _____ to the trachea and heart.
anterior; posterior
One band of taeniae coli is positioned _____, and two are positioned _____.
anteriorly; posteriorly
The anal canal terminates at the ____.
anus
The ____ passes superiorly from its junction with the cecum to the undersurface of the liver, where it joins the transverse portion at the right colic flexure.
ascending colon
A great advantage of water-soluble media is that they are easily removed by ____ before and after surgery.
aspiration
The large intestine of ____ patients, which is bunched together and positioned low in the abdomen, is at the other extreme.
asthenic
Because of normal rapid absorption of water through colonic mucosa, the medium becomes densely concentrated in the large intestine. Consequently, the entire large intestine is opacified with retrograde filling using a ______. As a result of its increases concentration and accelerated transit time, rapid investigation of the large intestine can be performed by the ___ route when a patient cannot cooperate for a satisfactory enema study.
barium sulfate suspension; oral
In fluoroscopy, air shows up as ____ and barium sulfate mixtures show up as ____.
black; white
Descending from the fundus and beginning at the level of the cardiac notch is the ____ of the stomach.
body
The esophagus joins the stomach at the esophagogastric junction through an opening termed the ______.
cardiac orifice
Water-soluble iodinated contrast media are modifications of basic IV urographic media, such as ____ and _____.
diatrizoate sodium; diatrizoate meglumine
The fourth portion of the duodenum joins the jejunum at a sharp curve called the _____.
duodenojejunal flexure
Beginning at the pylorus, the _____ follows a C-shaped course.
duodenum
Inferior to the diaphragm, the esophagus joins the stomach at the ______.
esophagogastric junction
The _____ extends between the pharynx and the cardiac end of the stomach?
esophagus
Make exposures of the stomach and intestines at the end of _____ in the routine procedure.
expiration
From the right side, lying beneath the liver, but anterior to the midaxillary line, is the ____.
gallbladder
When the patient is in the upright position, the fundus is usually filled with gas; in radiography, this is referred to as the ______.
gas bubble
The left and inferior borders of the stomach are marked by the ____ curvature.
greater
The hepatopancreatic ampulla opens on the summit of the _____ in the duodenum.
greater duodenal papilla
The taeniae coli bands create a pulling muscle tone that forms a series of pouches called the _____.
haustra
The right colic flexure is formerly known as the _____.
hepatic flexure
The common bile duct and the pancreatic duct usually unite to form the ______.
hepatopancreatic ampulla
In examinations of the stomach and small intestine, the exposure time should be 0.1 second or less for patients with ______.
hypermotility
In ____ patients, the large intestine is positioned around the periphery of the abdomen and may require more images to show its entire length.
hypersthenic
The upper two-fifths of the small intestine is referred to as the ____.
jejunum
Inferior to the diaphragm, the esophagus curves sharply ____.
left
The transverse colon makes a sharp curve, called the _____, and ends in the descending portion.
left colic flexure
The right border of the stomach is marked by the ____ curvature.
lesser
The large ____ occupies most of the upper abdominal cavity (from the right side).
liver
The ____ is where food is masticated and converted into a bolus by insalivation.
mouth
The entrance to and the exit from the stomach are controlled by a _____.
muscle sphincter
From the left side, the fundus is much more ____ than the body of the stomach.
posterior
The esophagus extends between the pharynx and the cardiac end of the stomach and occupies a constant position in the _____ part of the mediastinum.
posterior
The fundus is more ____ than the lower body of the stomach.
posterior
When a person is prone, air rises to fill those structures that are most ____.
posterior
The pyloric valve (sphincter) and the first part of the small bowel are very near the ______.
posterior abdominal wall
The pyloric portion of the stomach is directed ____.
posteriorly
Distal to the vertical plane of the angular notch is the ____ of the stomach.
pyloric portion
The ascending colon passes superiorly from its junction with the cecum to the undersurface of the liver, where it joins the transverse portion at the _______.
right colic flexure
The _____ curves to form an S-shaped loop and ends in the rectum at the level of the third sacral segment.
sigmoid colon
The esophagus enters the _____ from the superior portion of the neck.
thorax
The rectum and anal canal have ___ AP curves.
two
The ______ is attached to the posteromedial side of the cecum.
vermiform appendix
The mucosa of the small intestine contains a series of fingerlike projections called ____.
villi
In addition to barium sulfate, _______ suitable for opacification of the alimentary canal are available.
water-soluble, iodinated contrast media