What is the role of the large intestine in digestion?

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Gastrointestinal Questions and Answers Questions

Question 1 of 5

What is the role of the large intestine in digestion?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The large intestine's main role is to absorb water from the remaining indigestible food material and to form solid waste for elimination. This process helps maintain the body's fluid balance. Producing enzymes (Choice A) is primarily the function of the pancreas and small intestine. Absorbing nutrients (Choice B) occurs mainly in the small intestine. Digestion of proteins (Choice D) occurs primarily in the stomach and small intestine. Therefore, the correct answer is C as the large intestine's main function is water absorption.

Question 2 of 5

The component parts of the myenteric plexus of the enteric nervous system include the following except:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Control centers in the medulla oblongata. The myenteric plexus is a network of neurons located in the gastrointestinal tract, regulating gut motility independently. The myenteric plexus consists of sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. Control centers in the medulla oblongata are part of the central nervous system and are not directly involved in the myenteric plexus's functions. Therefore, they are not considered as component parts of the myenteric plexus.

Question 3 of 5

A patient who undergoes the following operation will NOT survive without parenteral feeding:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Total gastrectomy. This operation involves complete removal of the stomach, leading to the inability to digest food. Without a stomach, essential nutrients cannot be absorbed, necessitating parenteral feeding. A: Total oesophagectomy - Although the esophagus is important for swallowing, parenteral feeding can sustain life without it. C: Right hepatic lobectomy - The liver has regenerative capacity and can compensate for the loss of a lobe. D: Total oroclocolectomy - This operation removes the entire colon, but parenteral feeding can still provide nutrition. In summary, total gastrectomy results in the loss of the major organ responsible for digestion and nutrient absorption, requiring parenteral feeding for survival.

Question 4 of 5

Saliva does not normally contain:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Intrinsic factor. Saliva does not normally contain intrinsic factor, which is a protein produced by the stomach to aid in the absorption of vitamin B12. Saliva does contain isozymes, IgA antibodies, and lactoferrin. Isozymes are different forms of enzymes, IgA is an antibody important for immune defense, and lactoferrin is a protein with antimicrobial properties found in saliva. Therefore, D is the correct answer as intrinsic factor is not a normal component of saliva.

Question 5 of 5

Absence of ganglion cells is an essential diagnostic feature of:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hirschsprung's disease. The absence of ganglion cells in the distal colon is a key diagnostic feature of Hirschsprung's disease. Ganglion cells are essential for coordinated contractions of the colon. In congenital pyloric stenosis, the issue lies in the pylorus, not the colon, so ganglion cells are not relevant. Choice C is incorrect because congenital pyloric stenosis does not involve ganglion cells. Choice D is also incorrect as Hirschsprung's disease does indeed involve the absence of ganglion cells.

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