Term | Definition |
Sublingual | pertaining to underneath the tongue |
Mastification | a process of chewing |
Deglution | a process of swallowing |
Appendiceal | pertaining to the appendix |
Appendix | A small stucture hanging from a larger structure |
Defecation | Process by which undigested materials and water are removed from the body as a bowel movement |
Duodenum | a 10 inch, C-shaped segment that begins at the stomach and ends at the jejunum. |
Epiglottis | a flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe. |
Esophagus | a flexible , muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach. |
Flatus | Gas produced by bacteria that inhabit the large intestine. |
Jejunum | Second part of the small intestine. |
Lactase | milk enzyme |
Meconium | dark green substance forming the first feces of a newborn infant. |
Mucosa | Mucous membrane that lines the gastrointestinal system and produces mucus. |
Palate | Above your mouth |
Pancreas | Triangular organ located posterior to the stomach. It secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. |
Peritoneum | Double-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic cavity and surrounds each gastrointestinal organ. |
Pharynx | the membrane-lined cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the esophagus. |
Rectum | Final part of the large intestine. It is a short, straight segment that lies between the sigmoid colon and the anus. |
Saliva | watery liquid secreted into the mouth by glands the helps chewing. |
Salivary Gland | 3 pairs: the parotid glands, sublingual glands, and submandiibular glands. |
Stomach | The major part of digestion. |
Tongue | Large muscle that fills the oral cavity and assits with eating and talking. |
Digestion | Pertaining to breaking down food. |
Anorexia | Decreased appetite because of disease or the gastrointestinal side effects of a drug. |
Dysphagia | difficulty swallowing state |
Polyphagia | over eating disease |
Stomatitis | A stone that forms in the salavary gland and becomes lodged in the duct, blocking the flow of saliva. |
Gastroenteritis | Acute inflammation in the stomach and intestines. |
Gastroesophageal | pertaining to the stomach and esophagus. |
Hematemesis | Vomitting of the blood. |
Nausea | unpleasent, queasy feeling in the stomach that precedes the urge to vomit. |
Emesis | is the expelling of food from the stomach through the mouth. |
Adenocarcinoma | a malignant tumor formed from glandular structures in epithelial tissue. |
Peptic ulcer | Chronic irritation, burning pain, and erosion of the mucosa to form an ulcer. |
Malrotation | vomitting and abdominal pain. |
Appendicitis | a serious medical condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed and painful. |
Diverticulosis | the condition of multiple diverticula. Straining to pass feces. |
Hemorrhoid | a swollen vein or group of veins in the region of the anus. |
Obstipation | severe or complete constipation. |
Sialolithiasis | formation of stones in the salivary glands. |
Flatulence | Presence of excessive amounts of gas in the stomach or intestine. |
Hematochezia | Blood in the feces. |
Incontinence | Inability to voluntarily control bowel movemnets. |
Omphalocele | an umbilical hernia that is present at birth and is only covered with peritoneum, without any fat or abdominal skin. |
Ascites | the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling. |
Peritonitis | inflammation and infection of the peritoneum. |
Cirrhosis | Chronic, progressive inflammation and finally irrreversible degeneration of the liver. |
Hepatitis | Inflamation and infection of the liver from the hepatitis virus. |
Hepatomegaly | liver enlargement. |
hepatosplenomegaly | Enlargement of the spleen and liver. |
Cholelithiasis | One or more gallstones in the gallbladder. |
Pancreatitis | Inflammation or infection of the pancreas. |
Postoperative | during the period following a surgical operation. |
Ulcerative Colitis | Serious chrinic inflamation of the large intestines. |
Diarrhea | When feces become a liquid form. |
Jaundice | Yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. |
Albumin | the major protein molecule in the blood. |
Bilirubin | Test for unconjugated, conjugated, and total bilirubin levels. |
Barium enema | Procedure that uses liquid radiopaque contrast inserted into the rectum and colon. |
Cholangiography | Procedure that uses a contrast dye to outline the bile ducts. |
Appendectomy | Procedure to remove the appendix because of appendicitis. |
Biopsy | Procedure to remove a small piece of tissue from an ulcer, polyp, mass, or tumor. |
Cholecystecotmy | Procedure to remove the gallbladder. |
Colostomy | Procedure to remove the diseased part of the colon and create a new opening in the abdominal wall. |
Gastroscopy | visualization and examination of the stomach. |
Hemorrhoidectomy | Procedure to remove hemorrhoids from the rectum or around the anus. |
Endoscope | a flexible, fiberoptic scope with a magnifying lens and a light source. |
Herniorrhaphy | Procedure that uses sutures to close a defect in the muscle wall where there is a hernia. |
Abdominocentesis | centesis of the belly to remove fluid for diagnosis. |
Drug Categories | antacid, antibiotic, antidiarrheal, antiemetic, drugs for gallstones, H2 blocker drugs, laxative, and proton pump inhibitor drugs. |
Antibiotic | Treat gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria. |
Antidiarrheal | Treats diarrhea. |
Antiemetic | Treat nausea and vomiting and motion sickness. |
ABD | abdomen |
a.c. | before meals |
BE | barium enema |
BM | bowel movement |
BS | bowel sounds |
EGD | esophagogastroduoenoscopy |
GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
GI | gastrointestinal |
IBD | inflammatory bowel disease |
LFTs | liver function tests |
LLQ | left lower quadrant |
LUQ | left upper quadrant |
N | nausea and vomitting |
NG | nasogastric |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
O | ova and parasites |
p.c. | after meals |
PO | by mouth |
PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
RLQ | right lower quadrant |
RUQ | right upper quadrant |
UGI | upper gastrointestinal (series) |