Question | Answer |
appendectomy | removal or excision of appendix |
appendicitis | inflammation of appendix |
appendix | small, slender sac near the beginning of colon in the RLQ of abdomen |
ascites | abnormal accumulation of fluid in abdomen |
bile | yellow-organ fluid produced by liver in gallbladder; travels from gallbladder into small intestines to help digest fats |
biliary | pertaining to bile-bile ducts; bile ducts empty into small intestines |
bilirubin | yellow-orange pigment found in bile |
borborygmus | rumbling-gurgling noise produced by hyperactive movement of gas |
bowel | intestine; large bowel called colon & small bowel is small intestine |
buccal mucosa | mucous membrane in lining of cheek |
canine teeth | four, pointed dog-like teeth; each canine-cusped tooth is 3rd from midline of jaw |
cecal | pertaining to cecum, which is 1st part of large intestine |
cecum | 1st part of large intestine (colon) |
celiac | pertaining to abdomen |
cheilitis | inflammation of hip |
cholecystectomy | excision-removal of gallbladder |
choledochojejunostomy | surgical anastomosis (create new opening) between common bile duct & jejunum |
choledocholithiasis | abnormal condition of stones in the common bile duct |
choledochotomy | incision of common bile duct |
cholelithiasis | abnormal condition of gallstones |
cirrhosis | chronic, degenerative disease of the liver |
colon | large intestine (bowel) |
colonic | pertaining to the colon |
colonic polyposis | benign growths protrude from the mucous membrane lining in colon |
colonoscopy | visual endoscopic examination of the colon |
colorectal cancer | adenocarcinoma of colon-rectum-both |
colostomy | new opening of colon through the abdominal wall to the outside of body |
common bile duct | tube carrying from gallbladder & liver into first part of small intestine |
constipation | difficulty in passing feces |
Crohn's disease | inflammatory bowel disease marked by diarrhea, pain, fever, weakness & weight loss |
defecation | eliminating of wastes & undigested foods through rectum |
deglutition | swelling |
dental caries | tooth decay |
dentibuccal | pertaining to cheek & teeth |
dentin | chief substance of teeth; surrounding pulp & covered by enamel of crown |
diarrhea | frequent passage of loose-watery stools |
digestion | process of breaking down complex foods into simpler substance that can be absorbed into bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine |
diverticula | small, pouch-like herniations through muscular wall of tubular organ such as colon |
diverticulitis | inflammation of diverticula; abdominal pain & rectal bleeding symptoms |
diverticulosis | abnormal condition of diverticula without inflammation |
duodenal | pertaining to the duodenum |
duodenum | 1st part of small intestine |
dysentery | painful intestines; marked by inflammation & infection, especially of colon with abdominal pain & diarrhea |
dysphagia | difficulty swallowing |
elimination | discharge from body of indigestible materials-wastes |
emulsification | breakdown of large fat globules into smaller, digestible particles |
enamel | white, compact-hard substance covering the substance (dentin) of the crown of tooth |
endodontist | dentist specializing in inner parts of tooth |
enterocolitis | inflammation of small intestine & colon |
enterocolostomy | new surgical connection between parts of small intestine & colon; anastomosis |
enzyme | protein that speeds up rate of the biochemical reaction; suffix -ase means enzyme |
eructation | gas expelled from stomach through mouth |
esophageal | pertaining to esophagus |
esophageal varices | swollen, twisted veins at lower end of esophagus |
esophagus | tube that carries food from pharynx to stomach |
etiology | study of cause of disease |
facial | pertaining to the face |
fatty acids | substances that are produced when fats are digested; they combine with glycerol to form fat |
feces | solid wastes; stools |
flatus | gas expelled through the anus |
gallbladder | small sac lying below the liver, in which bile is stored |
gastric carcinoma | malignant tumor of stomach; stomach cancer |
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | backflow of solids & fluid from the stomach to the mouth against its normal direction of movement |
gastrointestinal tract | tubular system related to stomach & intestines beginning with mouth & ending at anus |
gastrojejunostomy | new surgical opening between the stomach & jejunum; anastomosis; part of gastric bypass surgery |
gastrostomy | new opening of stomach through abdominal wall to outside of body |
gingivitis | inflammation of gums |
gluconeogenesis | process of producing new sugar from fats & proteins; occurs mainly in liver |
glucose | simple sugar necessary as source of energy for body cells |
glycogen | storage form of glucose; produces glucose when it is broken down in liver cells |
glycogenolysis | breakdown of glycogen to release sugar |
hematochezia | passage of bright red blood from the rectum |
hemorrhoids | swollen, twisted varicose veins in the rectal region |
hepatoma | tumor of liver cells; hepatocellular carcinoma |
hepatomegaly | enlargement of liver |
herpetic stomatitis | inflammation of mouth caused by infection with herpes virus. painful, fluid-filled blisters produced by infection & known as cold sores-fever blisters |
hiatal hernia | protrusion of upper portion of stomach upward through diaphragm |
hydrochloric acid | strong acid, present in a dilute form in stomach; aids digestion |
hyperbilirubinemia | high levels of bilirubin in bloodstream; jaundice |
hyperglycemia | high levels of sugar in bloodstream; diabetes mellitus |
hypoglossal | pertaining to under the tongue |
icterus | jaundice; yellow-orange coloration of skin & whites of eyes caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood |
idiopathic | pertaining to unknown cause of disease |
ileitis | inflammation of ileum |
ileocecal sphincter | ring of muscles between the ileum & cecum |
ileostomy | surgical formation of an artificial opening from the ileum to outside of body through abdominal wall |
ileum | 3rd (final) portion of the small intestine |
ileus | failure of peristalsis with obstruction of intestines |
incisor | 1 of 4 front teeth on either jaw |
inflammatory bowel disease | severe inflammation of small-large intestine (colon); i.e. Crohn’s disease & ulcerative colitis |
inguinal hernia | small loop of bowel protrudes through a weakened lower abdominal muscle |
insulin | hormone secreted by specialized cells in pancreas; facilitates transport of sugar from blood into body cells |
intussusception | one portion of intestine slips into adjoining part; telescoping of intestine |