Down in the Bowels Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ileum

The duodenum is the first, and shortest, part of the small intestine, and receives partly digested food, called chyme, from the stomach via the pyloric sphincter. The mid part is the jejunum, with the ileum being the final part which is responsible for the final stages of digestion. Brachium refers to the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow and the cerebrum is the major part of the brain.

The sacrum is the bone at the base of the spine.

Answer: Constipation

Dyschezia is difficulty in defecating, or passing stools, often caused by a failure of the defecation urge. It is often classed with constipation, although in babies the stools may still be soft as the infant learns how to control its body and excrete waste products. Diarrhoea is the passing of very loose or liquid stools, and flatulence is gas in the digestive system. Cramps are pains in the abdominal region which can be caused by trapped wind or diarrhoea.

Answer: Amino acids

The small intestine is where the major part of food breakdown and absorption takes place. Enzymes from the pancreas pass into the small intestine to aid digestion. Proteins are turned into peptides and amino acids and fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol.

Some carbohydrates are changed into sugars such as glucose and fructose, while others pass into the large intestine. Amino acids are vital for the body to make new proteins - the molecules that keep it going.

Answer: Syndrome

IBS has no definite cause, but may be due to stress or a reaction to some foods. It causes symptoms such as stomach cramps, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea. No cure is available, but changes in lifestyle and diet can help keep the problems caused to a manageable level.

Answer: True

Faeces are the waste product of the human body, and can also be called excrement. Euphemisms are often used, such as 'doodoo', 'poo' or 'poop' as well as other names not used in polite society. The word comes from the plural of the Latin word for dregs, which is faex.

It is classed as a plurale tantum word, meaning plural only, and other words falling under this definition include bagpipes, clothes and scissors.

Answer: Straight

The name is derived from the Latin word 'rectus', which also gives us the word 'rectitude', meaning 'moral uprightness'. The full name is rectus intestinum, to distinguish it from other parts of the human body such as rectus abdominus in the stomach and rectus femoris in the leg.

The purpose of the rectum is to store waste materials temporarily. Once it is full, signals are sent to the brain that defecation is needed, so that the faeces can be evacuated from the body via the anus.

Answer: Gluten

Coeliac disease is caused when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks substances found in gluten thinking they are dangerous. The reaction damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents the proper absorption of nutrients. Gluten is found in barley, wheat and rye and products made using these cereals.

The symptoms can be controlled by changing to a gluten free diet, although there is no cure for the disease.

Answer: Small intestine

The human body has millions of villi, which are projections resembling fingers on the walls of the small intestine. These hugely increase the surface area available for the absorption of nutrients. Inflammation in the small intestine, such as that caused by coeliac disease, can shrink and flatten the villi reducing the amount of nutrition available to the sufferer.

Answer: Caecum

The name comes directly from the Latin word meaning blind, with the full name being intestinum caecum or blind intestine. The caecum is a pouch which receives waste from the ileum via a valve. It connects to the first part of the colon, the ascending colon.

The appendix, properly called the vermiform (worm shaped) appendix, is attached to the caecum. The peritoneum is the membrane which lines the abdomen and the anus is the final part of the digestive system via which the faeces are evacuated from the body.

Answer: Piles

Haemorrhoids are caused by swelling of the blood vessels in the lining of the anus and lower part of the rectum. They often cause no problems but can become enlarged and inflamed, particularly when constipation is an issue. Often the swelling will settle, but in severe cases an operation may be needed.

The derivation of the common name is likely to be from the Latin word pila meaning ball.