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 rectum |
anus | 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 large intestine |
celiac | pertaining to abdomen |
cheiloplasty | surgical repair of the lip |
cholangioma | tumor of the bile duct |
cholecystogram | radiographic record of the gallbladder |
cholelith | a gallstone |
choledocholithotomy | removal of a gallstone through an incision in the bile duct |
colon | also called 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 |
disgestion | the process by which food is broken down, mechanically and chemically in the GI tract and converted into an absorb-able form that can be used by the body. |
diverticulitis | inflammation of a sac like bulge that may develop in the wall of the large intestine |
duodenum | uppermost division of the small intestine; receives secretions to aid in the 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 |
esophagojejunorrhaphy | 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 a n 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 |
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 food |
nasopharynx | the portion of the throat above the soft palate and behind the nose |
occult blood | stool sample test for blood |
oropharynx | the central part of the throat between the soft palate and epigolttis |
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 |
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 glands |
sigmoid colon | a flexure of the colon which joins the descending colon and 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 towards 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 |