Term | Definition |
anastomosis | a surgical connection between two hallow, or tubular, structures |
anorexia nervosa | eating disorder characterized by a false perception of body appearance |
antiemetic | a medication that is administered to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting |
aphthous ulcers | gray-white pits with a red border in the soft tissues lining the mouth |
aerophagia | the excessive swallowing of air while eating or drinking, and is a common cause of gas in the stomach |
ascites | an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity; result of severe liver disease |
bariatrics | the branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and control of obesity and associated diseases |
borborygmus | the rumbling noise caused by the movement of gas in the intestine |
bulimia nervosa | eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced committing or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications |
cachexia | a condition of physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and muscles mass that occurs in patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS |
celiac disease | an inherited autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe reaction to foods containing gluten |
cheilosis | a disorder of the lips characterized by crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth |
cholangiography | a radiographic examination of the bile ducts with the use of a contrast medium |
cholangitis | an acute inflammation of the bile duct characterized by pain in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice |
cholecystitis | inflammation of the gallbladder, usually associated with gallstones blocking the flow of bile |
cholecystectomy | the surgical removal of the gallbladder |
choledocholithotomy | an incision into the common bile duct for the removal of a gallstone |
cholelithiasis | the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts |
cirrhosis | a chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by scarring |
colonoscopy | the direct visual examination of the inner surface of the entire colon from the rectum of the cecum |
Crohn's disease | a chronic autoimmune disorder that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract; it is most often found in the ileum and in the colon |
diverticulitis | the inflammation or infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon |
diverticulosis | the chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the colon |
dyspepsia | pain or discomfort in digestion |
dysphagia | difficulty in swallowing |
enteritis | an inflammation of the small intestine caused by eating or drinking substances contaminated with viral and bacterial pathogens |
eructation | the act of clenching or raising gas orally from the stomach |
esophageal varices | enlarged and swollen veins at the lower end of the esophagus |
esophagogastroduoenoscopy | an endoscopic procedure that allows direct visualizations of the upper GI tract |
gastroesophageal reflux disease | the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus |
gastrostomy tube | a surgically placed feeding tube from the exterior of the body directly into the stomach |
hematemesis | the vomiting of blood |
Hemoccult test | a laboratory test for hidden blood in the stools |
hepatitis | an inflammation of the liver usually caused by a viral infection |
herpes labialis | blister-like sores on the lips and adjacent facial tissue that are caused by the oral herpes simplex virus type 1 |
hiatal hernia | anatomical abnormality in which the portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm |
hyperemesis | extreme, persistent vomiting that can cause dehydration |
ileus | the partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine |
inguinal hernia | the profusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in the lower abdominal wall or groin |
jaundice | a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membrane, and the eyes caused by greater-than-normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood |
leukoplakia | an abnormal white precancerous lesion that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek |
melena | the passage of black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools |
morbid obesity | the condition of weighing two times or more than the ideal eight or having a body mass index value greater than 40 |
nasogastric intubation | the placement of a feeding tube through the nose and into the stomach |
obesity | an excessive accumulation of fat in the body |
palatoplasty | a surgical repair of a cleft palate, also used to refer to the repair of a cleft lip |
peptic ulcers | sores that affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system |
peristalsis | a series of wave-like contraction of the smooth muscle in a single direction that moves the food forward into the digestive system |
polyp | a mushroom like growth from the surface of a mucous membrane |
proctologist | a physician who specializes in disorder of the colon, rectum, and anus |
regurgitation | the return of swallowed food into the mouth |
salmonellosis | transmitted by feces, either through direct contact with animal, or by eating contaminated raw or undercooked meats and eggs or unpasteurized milk and cheese products |
sigmoidoscopy | the endoscopic examination of the interior of the rectum, sigmoid colon, and possibly a portion of the descending colon |
stomatitis | inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth |
trismus | any restriction to the opening of the mouth caused by trauma, surgery or radiation associated with the treatment of oral cancer |
ulcerative colitis | a chronic condition of unknown causes in which repeated episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large intestine cause ulcers and irritation |
volvulus | the twisting of the intestine on itself, causing an obstruction |
xerostomia | the lack of adequate saliva due to diminished secretion by the salivary glands |