Question | Answer |
Achalasia: | abnormal condition characterized by the inability of a muscle, particularly the cardiac sphincter of the stomach, to relax. |
Achlorhydria: | the absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric secretions. |
Anastomosis: | surgical joining of two ducts or blood vessels to allow flow from one to the other. |
Cachexia: | general ill health and malnutrition marked by weakness and emanciation, usually associated with a serious disease such as cancer. |
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): | oncofetal glycoprotein antigen found in colonic adenocarcinoma and other cancers; also found in nonmalignant conditions |
Dehiscence: | partial or complete separation of the wound edges. |
Dysphagia: | difficulty swallowing. |
Evisceration: | state in which the patient's viscera protrude through a disrupted wound. |
Exacerbation: | an increase in the seriousness of a disease or disorder; marked by greater intensity in the signs or symptoms of the patient being treated. |
Hematemesis: | vomiting blood. |
Intussusception: | infolding of one segment of the intestine into the lumen of another segment; occurs in children |
Leukoplakia: | a white patch in the mouth or on the tongue. |
Lumen: | space within an artery, vein, intestine, or tube. |
Melena: | abnormal, black tarry stool containing digested blood. |
Occult blood: | blood that is hidden or obscured from view. |
Pathognomonic: | sign or symptom specific to a disease condition |
Remission: | a decrease in the severity of a disease or any of it's symptoms. |
Steatorrhea: | excessive fat in the feces |
Stoma: | combining form meaning a mouth or opening. |
Tenesmus: | ineffective and painful straining with defecation. |
Volvulus: | twisting of the bowel on itself, causing intestinal obstruction |
Ascites: | accumulation of fluid and albumin in the peritoneal cavity. |
Asterixis: | a hand flapping tremor in which the patient stretches outh an arm and hyperextends the wrist with the fingers separated, relaxed and extended. |
Esophageal varices: | a complex of longitudal, tortuous veins at the lower end of the esophagus. |
Flatulence: | Excess formation of gases in the stomach or intestine. |
Hepatic Encephalopathy: | A type of brain damage causesd by liver diseaese and consequent ammonia intoxiacation |
Hepatitis: | Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses, bacteria, and non-infectious causes of liver inflammation |
Jaundice: | Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes and sclerae of the eyes, caused by greater than normal amounts of bilirubin in the serum. |
Occlusion: | An oobstruction or closing off. |
Paracentesis: | A procedure in which fluid is withdrawn from the out. |
Parenchyma: | Tissue of an organ as distinguished from supporting or connective tissue. |
Spider telangiectases: | Small, dilated blood vessels with a bright red center point and spiderlike branches. |
Steatorrhea: | Stools that contain fat. |
Peristalsis: | The coordinated, rhythmic, serial contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract, bile through the bile duct, and urine through the ureter. |
Accessory Organs: | aid in the digestive process but are not considered part of the digestive tract. They include: teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and the pancreas. |
Papillae: | Tiny elevations on the tongue that contain taste buds. |
Carbohydrates start to break down in the ___________ | Mouth |
Protiens start to break down in the ___________ | Stomach |
Fats start to break down in the ____________ | Duodenum |
Mastication: | To crush or grind food |