Question | Answer |
Pyrosis | heartburn |
Melana | passage of dark tarry stools; color is result of digestive enzymes working on blood in stool |
Hematochezia | passing bright red blood in stools |
Denture | partial or complete set of artificial teeth that are set in plastic materials |
Colonoscope | instrument to view inside colon |
Colonoscopy | flexible fiberscope passed through anus, rectum, and colon is used to examine upper portion of colon |
Colostomy | surgical creation of opening in some portion of colon through abdominal wall to outside surface; fecal material drains into bag worn on abdomen |
Emesis | vomiting, usually with some force |
Cachexia | loss of weight and generalized wasting that occurs during a chronic disease |
Ascites | collection or accumulation of fluid in peritoneal cavity |
Jaundic | Yellow cast to skin, mucous membranes, and whites of eyes caused by deposit of bile pigment from too much bilirubin in blood |
Diarrhea | passing of frequent, watery bowel movements |
Rugae | prominent folds in mucosa of stomach; smooth out and almost disappear allowing stomach to expand when full of food |
Chyme | semisoft mixture of food and digestive fluids that pass from stomach into small intestines |
Fundus | upper portion of stomach |
Body | main portion of the stomach |
Antrum | tapered distal end of the stomach |
Sphincters | ring of muscle around tubular organ; can contract to control opening of tube |
Cardiac Sphincter | also called lower esophageal sphincter; prevents food and gastric juices from backing up into esophagus |
Pyloric Sphincter | sphincter at distal end of stomach; controls passage of food into duodenum |
Emulsification | to make fats and lipids more soluble in water |
Volvulus | Condition in which bowel twists upon itself and causes painful obstruction that requires immediate surgery |
Intussusception | intestinal condition in which one portion of intestine telescopes into adjacent portion causing obstruction and gangrene if untreated |
Hemorrhoid | varicose veins in rectum |
Hiatal hernia | protrusion of stomach through diaphragm and extending into thoracic cavity; gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common syptom |
Cirrhosis | chronic disease of the liver |
Fistula | a permanent abnormal passageway between two organs in the body or between an organ and the exterior of the body. |
Diverticulum | outpouching off the gut |
Antiemetic | substance that controls nausea and vomiting |
Laxative | mild cathartic |
Antacid | substance that neutralizes acid in stomach |
Anorexiant | substance that treats obesity by suppressing appetite |
NG | nasogastric (tube) |
IBS | irritable bowel syndrome |
N&V | nausea and vomiting |
NPO | nothing by mouth |
Brochoscope | instrument to view inside a bronchus |
Pharyngitis | inflammation of mucous membrane of pharynx, usually caused by viral or bacterial infection; commonly called sore throat |
Pansinusitis | inflammation of all sinuses |
Hepatic | pertaining to liver |
Aphagia | not eating |
Anorexia | loss of appetite that can accompany other conditions such as gastrointestinal upset |
Gastric | pertaining to the stomach |
Sublingual | pertaining to under tongue |
Nasopharynx | upper pharynx |
Oropharynx | middle pharynx |
Laryngopharynx | lower pharynx |
Palate | roof of mouth |
Cilia | term for eyelashes that protect eye from foreign particles or for nasal hairs that help filter dust and bacteria out of inhaled air |
Nares | external openings of nose that open into nasal cavity |
Nasal Septum | flexible cartilage wall that divides nasal cavity into left and right halves |
Aspiration | for respiratory system, refers to inhaling food, liquid, or a foreign object into airways |
Asphyxia | lack of oxygen that can lead to unconsciousness and death if not corrected immediately |
Hypoventilation | to breathe both slow (bradypnea) and shallow (hypopnea) |
Cheyne Stokes Respiration | abnormal breathing pattern in which there are long periods (10-60 sec) of apnea followed by deeper, more rapid breathing |
Epistaxis | nosebleed |
Hemoptysis | coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum |
Stridor | harsh, high-pitched, noisy breathing sound made when there is obstruction of bronchus or larynx |
Orthopnea | term to describe patient who needs to sit up straight in order to breathe comfortably |
Emphysema | pulmonary condition that can occur as result of long-term heavy smoking; air pollution also worsens this disease; patient may not be able to breathe except in sitting or standing position |
Histoplasmosis | pulmonary disease caused by fungus found in dust in droppings of pigeons and chickens |
Empyema | pus within pleural space, usually result of infection |
Pneumoconiosis | condition resulting from inhaling environmental particles that become toxic, such as coal dust or asbestos |
Oximetry | process of measuring oxygen |
Polysomnography | monitoring a patient while sleeping to identify sleep apnea |
Bronchography | process of taking X-ray of lung after radiopaque substance has been placed into trachea or bronchial tree |
Ventilation Perfusion Scan | nuclear medicine diagnostic test especially useful in identifying pulmonary emboli |
Aerosol Therapy | medication suspended in mist intended to be inhaled |
Postural Drainage | draining secretions from bronchi by placing patient in position that uses gravity to promote drainage |
Ventilation | movement of air in and out of lungs |
Endotracheal Intubation | placing tube through mouth to create airway |
Bronchodilator | dilates or opens bronchi to improve breathing |
Expectorant | substance that assists in removal of secretion from bronchopulmonary membranes |
Antitussive | substance that controls or relieves coughing |
Antihistamine | substance that acts to control allergic symptoms by counteracting histamine, which exists naturally in body, and which is released in allergic reactions |
Thoracentesis | surgical puncture of chest wall for removal of fluids |
Heimlich Maneuver | technique for removing foreign body of food from trachea or pharynx when it is choking a person |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing | method for assisting patients to breathe using mask connected to machine that produces increased pressure |
Pleuritis | Inflammation of the pleural cavity |
Pleurectomy | excision of pleura |
Pleurodynia | pleural pain |
Thoracalgia | chest pain |
Cyanosis | slightly bluish color of skin due to deficiency of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in blood |
Rhinorrhea | watery discharge from nose, especially with allergies or a cold, runny nose |
Rhinorrhagia | rapid and excessive flow of blood from nose |
Rhinitis | inflammation of nose |
Rhinoplasty | plastic surgery of nose |
Eupnea | normal breathing and respiratory rate |
Dyspnea | term describing difficult or labored breathing |
Apnea | not breathing |
Pneumothorax | collection of air or gas in pleural cavity, which can result in collapse of lung |
Appendicitis | inflammation of appendix |
Cholelithiasis | formation or presence of stones or calculi in gallbladder or common bile duct |
Cholecystectomy | surgical excision of gallbladder |
Gastrectomy | surgical removal of stomach |
Gastrostomy | surgical creation of gastric fistula or opening through abdominal wall |
Polyp | small tumor with pedicle or stem attachment |