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Word List
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| absorption | the passage of simple nutrients into the bloodstream |
| achlorhydric | absence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach |
| aerophagia | swallowing air |
| anal sphincter | the constricting muscle at the anus which relaxes to allow passage of stool |
| anorectal | pertaining to both the anus and the rectum |
| anus | the outlet of the rectum |
| ascending colon | first portion of the colon, extending from the cecum to the lower border of the liver |
| buccal | pertaining to the cheek |
| bulimia | an eating disorder characterized by binge eating, purging, and vigorous exercise |
| cecum | first 2-3" of the large intestine |
| celiac | pertaining to the abdomen |
| cheiloplasty | surgical repair of the lip |
| cholangioma | tumour of the bile duct or vessel |
| cholecystogram | radiographic record of the gallbladder |
| cholelith | a gallstone |
| choledocholithotomy | removal of a gallstone through an incision of the bile duct |
| colon | also called the large intestine; it is divided into four portions and is responsible for absorption and elimination |
| descending colon | third continuation of the colon which joins and forms the sigmoid colon |
| diarrhea | the passage of unformed watery bowel movements |
| digestion | the process by which food is broken down, mechanically and chemically in the GI tract and converted into an absorbable form that can be used by the body |
| diverticulitis | inflammation of a sac-like bulge that may develop int he wall of the large intestine |
| duodenum | uppermost division of the small intestine; receives secretions to aid in digestion |
| elimination | to pass urine from the bladder or stool from the bowel |
| enema | the introduction of liquid into the rectum for cleansing the bowel and for stimulating evacuation of the bowels |
| enterostomy | surgical formation of an opening from the small intestine through the abdominal wall |
| epiglottis | a flap of tissue covering the trachea, which prevents food and liquids from entering the airway |
| esophagojejunostomy | anastomosis of the esophagus and jejunum |
| esophagus | a muscular canal which extends from the pharynx to the stomach |
| gallbladder | an organ below the liver which stores and empties bile through its ducts into the small intestine |
| gastritis | inflammation of the stomach |
| gastrointestinal system | provides the body with nutrients, electrolytes and water by ingestion, digestion, elimination and absorption |
| hepatomegaly | enlargement of the liver |
| hernia | abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through the structures that normally contain it |
| ingest | to eat |
| ileostomy | surgical formation of an opening from the ileum through the abdominal wall |
| ileum | lower division of the small intestine |
| jejunorrhaphy | surgical repair of the jejunum |
| jejunum | second division of the small intestine |
| laryngopharynx | the lower portion of the pharynx which divides into the trachea and esophagus |
| lingual | pertaining to the tongue |
| liver | the largest glandular organ which functions include: producing bile, removing glucose from the blood, and storing vitamins |
| liver scan | radiographic visualization of the liver after injection of a radioactive substance |
| mastication | chewing - the first stage of digestion |
| nasopharynx | the portion of the throat above the soft palate and behind the nose |
| occult blood | a test in which stool samples are collected to determine gastrointestinal bleeding |
| oropharynx | the central part of the throat between the soft palate and epiglottis |
| pancreas | an organ which uses ducts to provide exocrine secretions to the duodenum to aid in digestion |
| pharynx | passageway for air from the nose to the larynx and for food from the mouth to the esophagus |
| proctoplasty | surgical repair or reconstruction of the rectum or colon |
| proctologist | one who specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus |
| rectum | last portion of the GI tract which terminates at the anus |
| sialolithiasis | presence of a stone in the salivary gland |
| sigmoid colon | a flexure of the colon which joins the descending colon and the rectum |
| small intestine | a continuation of the GI tract responsible for absorption. Consists of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum |
| stomach | a sac-like structure in the abdominal cavity, responsible for digestion of food |
| stoma | an artificial opening, in this case, one from the bowel through the abdominal wall |
| stomatitis | inflammation of the mouth of the stomach |
| trachea | cartilaginous tube which extends from the larynx to the bronchial tubes |
| transverse colon | second portion of the colon that passes horizontally across the abdomen toward the spleen |
| ulcer | a lesion of the skin or mucous membrane which frequently develops in the duodenum or stomach |
| ulcerative colitis | inflammation and ulceration of the innermost lining of the colon |