Homeostatic Imbalances

• Deglutition - or swallowing, is a complex process that involves the coordinated activity of tongue, soft palate, pharynx, and esophagus
• Emesis - or vomiting, is essentially a reverse peristalsis occurring in the stomach
• Constipation - If food residue remains in the large intestine for extended periods, too much water is reabsorbed, and the stool becomes hard and difficult to pass
• Diarrhea - or watery stools, result from any condition that rushes food residue through the large intestine before that organ has had sufficient time to absorb the water
• Hematemesis - term for vomiting blood
• Hematochezia - blood in the stool
• Melena - black or tarry stools