Term | Definition |
achalasia | partial paralysis of the distal esophagus making food difficult to swallow |
adenocarcinoma | malignant cancer of glands |
adhesions | band-like scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries |
AGE | acute gastroenteritis (stomach flu) |
Ampulla of Vater | duct that connects the gallbladder to the duodenum |
amylase | digestive enzymes that break down starch (carbohydrates) |
ankyloglossia | the term for "tongue-tied" |
anorexia | loss of appetite |
ascites | excessive fluid accumulation in the abdominal due to liver dysfunction |
bolus | the amount of food that can be easily swallowed |
borborygmus | loud, grumbling sounds from the GI tract |
cecum | first part of the large intestines where the appendix is attached |
cholecystitis | inflammation of the gallbladder |
cholelithiasis | gallbladder stones |
chyme | soupy, liquified substance as result of the beginning of digestion in the stomach |
Crohn's | chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects segments and full-thickness of the intestines |
defecation | indigestable waste products passed through the anus |
deglutition | the process of swallowing |
digestion | the process of chemically breaking down food small enough to enter body cells for nutrition |
dyspepsia | a medical term for "heart burn" |
dysphagia | difficulty swallowing |
esophageal varicies | varicose veins in the esophagus related to alcoholic cirrhosis |
frenulum | tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth |
gastroparesis | nerve damage around the stomach causing a delay of food leaving the stomach (DIABETICS) |
GERD | chronic reflux of the stomach contents into the esophagus and mouth |
H. pylori | a bacteria that is the most common cause of peptic ulcers |
hard palate | bony partition that makes up the anterior portion of the roof of the mouth |
hematemesis | vomiting blood |
hematochezia | bright red blood in and around the stools; often indicating local, recent rectal bleeding |
hemolysis | breaking down of red blood cells |
hepatic flexure | the bend in the colon at the right upper quadrant |
hiatal hernia | part of the stomach slides past the diaphragm into the chest cavity |
ileus | a part or complete paralysis of the intestines that may or may not cause an obstruction |
ingestion | the process of taking food and fluids into the body |
intussusception | abnormal telescoping of the intestines due to a paralysis of a segment of the intestine |
irritable bowel disease | spastic colon that commonly affects young women causing alternating pain, diarrhea, and constipation |
jaundice | yellowish tinge of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin |
LES | sphincter that is located at the base of the esophagus that allows food to enter the stomach |
lipase | digestive enzymes that works bile and breaks down fat |
lumen | the opening or inside diameter of the intestine |
mastication | the process of mechanically breaking down food products |
melena | black, tarry stool often indicating chronic bleeding from the stomach |
omentum | layers of adipose that drapes the colon |
parotid gland | salivary gland located in front and below the ears |
peristalsis | the active movement of food through the GI tract |
peritoneal cavity | the space in which the digestive organs are located |
peritonitis | inflammation of the peritoneal lining |
pernicious anemia | lack of intrinsic factor and B12 deficiency due to inadequate parietal cells |
ptyalism | a condition involving the salivary glands |
pyloric | sphincter that controls substances exiting the stomach |
septicemia | bacterial infection that has infiltrated into the bloodstream |
sigmoid | the area of the colon where the majority of colon cancers develops |
soft palate | muscular partition that make up the posterior portion of the roof of the mouth |
Sphincter of Oddi | opening between the pancreas and small intestines (duodenum) |
splenic flexure | the bend in the colon at the left upper quadrant |
submandibular gland | salivary gland located under the jaw bone |
ulcerative colitis | chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects continuous areas of the intestines, but not full-thickness ulcerations |
uvula | tissue that hangs from the roof of the mouth that helps prevent food from entering the nasal cavity |
vagus nerve | part of the nervous system that helps control the digestive system |
volvulus | abnormal twisting of the bowel that can cause a complete obstruction |