Question | Answer |
small intestine | A continuation of the GI tract responsible for absorption. Consists of duodenum, jejunum and ileum. |
epiglottis | A flap of tissue covering the trachea, which prevents food and liquids from entering the airway. |
sigmoid colon | A flexure of the colon which joins the descending colon and the rectum. |
cholelith | A gallstone. |
ulcer | A lesion of the skin or mucous membrane which frequently develops in the duodenum or stomach. |
esophagus | A muscular canal which extends from the pharynx to the stomach. |
stomach | A sac-like structure in the abdominal cavity, responsible for digestion of food. |
occult blood | A test in which stool samples are collected to determine gastrointestinal bleeding. |
ascites | Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, most commonly as a result of chronic lliver disease. |
hernia | Abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through the structures that normally contain it. |
achlorhydric | Absence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. |
colon | Also called the large intestine; it is divided into four portions and is responsible for absorption and elimination. |
stoma | An artificial opening, in this case, one from the bowel through the abdominal wall. |
bulimia | An eating disorder characterized by binge eating, purging and vigorous exercise. |
gallbladder | An organ below the liver which stores and empties bile through its ducts into the small intestine. |
pancreas | An organ which uses ducts to provide exocrine secretions to the duodenum to aid in digestion. |
esophagojejunostomy | Anastomosis of the esophagus and jejunum. |
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus due to a malfunction of the sphincter muscle at the inferior portion of the esophagus. |
regurgitation | Backward flowing, as in the returns of solids or fluids to the mouth from the stomach. |
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) | Bariatric surgery that staples the stomach to decrease its size, then shortening the jejunum, connecting it to the small stomach pouch, causing the base of the duodenum leading from the nonfunctioning portion of the stomach to form a Y configuration... |
vertical banded gastroplasty | Bariatric surgery that involves vertical stapling of the upper stomach near the esophagus to reduce it to a small pouch and insertion of a band that restricts food consumption and delays its passage from the pouch, causing the feeling of fullness. |
morbid obesity | Body mass index of 40 pounds or greater, which is generally 100 pounds or more over the ideal body weight. |
trachea | Cartilaginous tube which extends from the larynx to the bronchial tubes. |
mastication | Chewing - the first stage of digestion. |
sphincter | Circular band of muscle fibers that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening of the body. |
endoscopic ultrasound | Combines endoscopy and ultrasound to examine and obtain images of the digestive tract and the surrounding tissue and organs. |
antidiarrheals | Control loose stools and relieve diarrhea by absorbing excess water in the bowel or slowing peristalsis in the intestinal tract. |
antiemetics | Control nausea and vomiting by blocking nerve impulses to the vomiting center of the brain. |
antacids | Counteract or neutralize acidity, usually in the stomach. |
colostomy | Creation of an opening of a portion of the colon through the abdominal wall to its outside surface in order to divert fecal flow to a colostomy bag. |
antispasmodics | Decrease gastrointestinal spasms by slowing peristalsis and motility throughout the GI tract. |
hepatomegaly | Enlargement of the liver. |
obesity | Excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards, usually an increase of 20 percent or more above the ideal body weight. |
polypectomy | Excision of a polyp. |
fecalith | Fecal concretion. |
cecum | First 2-3" of the large intestine. |
ascending colon | First portion of the colon, extending from the cecum to the lower border of the liver. |
Crohn disease | Form of inflammatory bowel disease, usually of the ileum but possibly affecting any portion of the intestinal tract; also called regional enteritis. |
oral leukoplakia | Formation of white spots or patches on the mucous membrane of the tongue, lips or cheek caused primarily by irritation. |
halitosis | Foul-smelling breath. |
flatus | Gas in the GI tract; expelling of air from a body orifice, especially the anus. |
exocrine | Gland that secretes its products through excretory ducts to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel. |
liver function test (LFT) | Group of blood tests that evaluate liver injury, liver function and conditions often associated with the biliary tract. |
bariatric surgery | Group of procedures that treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight as fatty tissue and the resultant health problems. |
ultrasonography (US) | High-frequency sound waves are directed at soft tissue and reflected as "echoes" to produce an image on a monitor of an internal body structure; also called ultrasound, sonography or echo. |
computed tomography (CT) | Imaging technique achieved by rotating an x-ray emitter around the area to be scanned and measuring the intensity of transmitted rays from different angles. |
dysphagia | Inability or difficulty in swallowing; also called aphagia. |
pyloromyotomy | Incision of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the pylorus, which is used to treat hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. |
ulcerative colitis | Inflammation and ulceration of the innermost lining of the colon. |
diverticulitis | Inflammation of a sac-like bulge that may develop in the wall of the large intestine. |
apprendicitis | Inflammation of the appendix, usually due to obstruction or infection. |
dysentery | Inflammation of the intestine, especially the colon, that may be caused by ingesting water or food containing chemical irritants, bacteria, protozoa or parasites, which results in bloody diarrhea. |
stomatitiis | Inflammation of the mouth of the stomach. |
gastritis | Inflammation of the stomach. |
nasogastric intibation | Insertion of a nasogastric tube through the nose into the stomach to relieve gastric distention by removing gas, food or gastric secretions; instill medication, food or fluids; or obtain a specimen for laboratory analysis. |
anorexia | Lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat. |
rectum | Last portion of the GI tract which terminates at the anus. |
ileum | Lower division of the small intestine. |
magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) | Magnetic resonance imaging is used to visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts and gallbladder in a noninvasive manner. |
bolus | Mass of masticated food ready to be swallowed. |
serum bilirubin | Measurement of the level of bilirubin in the blood. |
proctologist | One who specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. |
bilirubin | Orange-yellow pigment formed during destruction of erythrocytes that is take up by liver cells to form bilirubin and eventually excreted in the feces. |
triglycerides | Organic compound, a true fat, that is made of one glycerol and three fatty acids. |
hepatitis panel | Panel of blood tests that identify the specific virus- hepatitis A, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, that is causing hepatitis by testing serum using antibodies to each of these antigens. |
melena | Passage of dark-coloured, tarry stools, due to the presence of blood altered by intestinal juices. |
steatorrhea | Passage of fat in large amounts in the feces due to failure to digest and absorb it. |
pharynx | Passageway for air from the nose to the larynx and for food from the mouth to the esophagus. |
anorectal | Pertaining to both the anus and the rectum. |
celiac | Pertaining to the abdomen. |
buccal | Pertaining to the cheek. |
lingual | Pertaining to the tongue. |
cachexia | Physical wasting that includes loss of weight and muscle mass; commonly associated with AIDS and cancer. |
sialolithiasis | Presence of a stone in the salivary gland. |
lithotripsy | Procedure for crushing stone and eliminating its fragments surgically or using ultrasonic waves. |
eructation | Producing gas from the stomach, usually with a characteristic sound; also called belching. |
peristalsis | Progressive, wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in hollow tubes of the body, especially the GI tract. |
gastrointestinal system | Provides the body with nutrients, electrolytes and water by ingestion, digestion, elimination and absorption. |
upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS) | Radiographic examination of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine following oral administration of barium; also called barium swallow. |
lower gastrointestinal series (BE) | Radiographic examination of the rectum and colon following enema administration of barium into the rectum; also called lower GI series or barium enema. |
oral cholecystography (OCG) | Radiographic images taken of the gallbladder after administration of a contrast material containing iodine, usually in the form of a tablet. |
cholecystogram | Radiographic record of the gallbladder. |
liver scan | Radiographic visualization of the liver after injection of a radioactive substance. |
sialography | Radiologic examination of the salivary glands and ducts. |
choledocholithotomy | Removal of a gallstone through an incision of the bile duct. |
borborygmus | Rumbling or gurgling noises that are audible at a distance and caused by passage of gas through the liquid contents of the intestine, |
cirrhosis | Scarring and dysfunction of the liver caused by chronic liver disease. |
jejunum | Second division of the small intestine. |
transverse colon | Second portion of the colon that passes horizontally across the abdomen toward the spleen. |
obstipation | Severe constipation, which may be caused by an intestinal obstruction. |
colic | Spasm in any hollow or tubular soft organ especially in the colon, accompanied by pain. |
pyloric stenosis | Stricture or narrowing of the pyloric sphincter at the outlet of the stomach, causing an obstruction that blocks the flow of food into the small intestine. |
ileorectal anastomosis | Surgical connection of the ileum and rectum after total colectomy, as is sometimes performed in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. |
intestinal anastomosis | Surgical connection of two portions of the intestines; also called enteroenterostomy. |
ileostomy | Surgical formation of an opening from the ileum through the abdominal wall. |
enterostomy | Surgical formation of an opening from the small intestine through the abdominal wall. |
anastomosis | Surgical joining of two ducts, vessels or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another. |
jejunorrhaphy | Surgical repair of the jejunum. |
cheiloplasty | Surgical repair of the lip. |
proctoplasty | Surgical repair or reconstruction of the rectum or colon. |
aerophagia | Swallowing air. |
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) | Symptom complex marked by abdominal pain and altered bowel function for which no organic cause can be determined; also called spastic colon. |
malabsorption syndrome | Symptom complex of the small intestine characterized by the impaired passage of nutrients, minerals or fluids through intestinal villi into the blood or lymph. |
stool guaiac | Test that applies a substance called guaiac to a stool sample to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the feces; also called Hemoccult (trade name-guaiac test). |
stool culture | Test to identify microorganism or parasites present in feces that are causing a gastrointestinal infection. |
oropharynx | The central part of the throat between the soft palate and epiglottis. |
anal sphincter | The constricting muscle at the anus which relaxes to allow passage of stool. |
enema | The introduction of liquid into the rectum for cleansing the bowel and for stimulating evacuation of the bowels. |
liver | The largest glandular organ which functions include: producing bile, removing glucose from the blood and storing vitamins. |
laryngopharynx | The lower portion of the pharynx which divides into the trachea and esophagus. |
anus | The outlet of the rectum. |
absorption | The passage of simple nutrients into the bloodstream. |
diarrhea | The passage of unformed watery bowel movements. |
nasopharynx | The portion of the throat above the soft palate and behind the nose. |
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. |
descending colon | Third continuation of the colon which joins and forms the sigmoid colon. |
ingest | To eat. |
elimination | To pass urine from the bladder or stool from the bowel. |
laxatives | Treat constipation by increasing peristaltic activity in the large intestine or increasing water and electrolyte secretion into the bowel to induce defecation. |
cholangioma | Tumor of the bile duct or vessel. |
abdominal ultrasound | Ultrasound visualization of the abdominal aorta, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys, ureters and bladder. |
duodenum | Uppermost division of the small intestine; receives secretions to aid in digestion. |
extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy | Use of shock waves as a noninvasive method to break up stones in the gallbladder or biliary ducts. |
endoscopy | Visual examination of a cavity or canal using a flexible fiberoptic instrument called an endoscope. |
gastrointestinal endoscopy | Visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract using a flexible fiberoptic instrument with a magnifying lens and a light source to identify abnormalities, including bleeding, ulcerations and tumors. |
hematoemesis | Vomiting of blood from bleeding in the stomach or esophagus. |
cholelithiasis | Presence or formation of gallstones in the gallbladder or common bile duct. |