Term | Definition |
abdominal ultrasonography | Sound waves are beamed into the abdomen and produce an image of abdominal viscera. |
abdominoplasty | Surgical repair of the abdomen. |
amylase and lipase tests | Tests for the levels of amylase (carbs) lipase (fats) enzymes in the blood. |
aphthous stomatitis | Inflammation of the mouth with small ulcers; canker sores. |
atresia | Absence of a normal opening. |
bariatric surgery | Reduction of stomach size an gastrojejunostomy |
biliary atresia | Congenital absence of the opening from the common bile duct into the small intestine (duodenum). |
bronchospasm | Involuntary contraction of the bronchus. |
buccal | Pertaining to the cheek. |
cecal volvulus | Abnormal twisting of the cecum (first part of the colon). |
celiac disease | Autoimmune disorder in which villi in the lining of the small intestine are damaged, resulting from dietary glutens, such as wheat, barley and rye. |
cheilosis | Abnormal condition of the lip. |
cholangiectasis | Abnormal widening of dilation of a bile vessel (bile duct). |
cholangiocarcinoma | Malignant tumor of bile vessel. |
cholangitis | Inflammation of bile vessels. |
cholangiography | X-ray recording of bile vessels (ducts) using radiopaque contrast medium. |
cholangiopancreatography | X-ray recording of bile vessels (ducts) and the pancreas after administration of contrast material directly into bile and pancreatic ducts. |
cholangitis | Inflammation of the bile duct. |
cholecystectomy | Removal (excision, resection) of the gallbladder. |
cholecystejejunostomy | Formation of a new opening between the gallbladder and the jejunum (second part of the small intestine); an anastomosis. |
cholecystolithiasis | Abnormal condition of stones in the gallbladder. |
choledochal | Pertaining to the common bile duct. |
choledochetasia | Dilation of the common bile duct. |
cholelithiasis | Abnormal condition gallstone formation; in the gallbladder or in the common bile duct. |
cholestasis | Stoppage of bile flow. |
colectomy | Surgical removal (excision) of the colon (large intestine). |
colonoscopy | Visual endoscopic examination of the colon. |
computed tomography | Cross-sectional x-ray imaging of an organ (such as the brain or spinal cord), with or without contrast material. |
dentalgia | Pain in a tooth. |
diarrhea | Frequent passage of loose, watery stools. |
duodenal | Pertaining to the duodenum. |
dyspepsia | Painful digestion; indigestion. |
dysphagia | Difficulty in swallowing. |
endoscopic ultrasonography | Insertion of an endoscope and use of ultrasound imaging to visualize the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. |
esophageal atresia | Congenital absence of the opening from the esophagus to the stomach. |
gastric bypass | Reducing the size of the stomach by diverting food into the jejunum; gastrojejunostomy. |
gastroententeritis | Inflammation of the stomach and intesines. |
gastrointestinal endoscopy | Visual examination of the stomach and intestines (GI tract) using an endoscope. |
gastrojejunostomy | New surgical connection (anastomosis) between the stomach and the jejunum (second part of the small intestine). |
gastrorrhagia | Loss of blood from the stomach and jejunum. |
gastrostomy | New opening of the stomach through the abdominal wall to the outside of the body. |
gingeivectomy | Removal of gum disease. |
glossectomy | Removal of the tongue. |
gluconeogenesis | Process of producing new sugar from fats and proteins; occurs mainly in the liver. |
glycogen | Storage for of glucose (sugar); it produces glucose when it is broken down (glycogenolysis) in liver cells. |
hematemesis | Vomiting blood. |
hemoptysis | Spitting up blood from the respiratory tract. |
hemorrhage | Bursting forth or excessive flow of blood. |
hepatomegaly | Enlargement of the liver. |
herniorrhaphy | Suture (stitching or sewing up) a hernia. |
HIDA scan | Radioactive imaging of the liver, gallbladder and intestine. |
ileostomy | New opening of the ileum to the outside of the body. |
labiodental | Pertaining to the lips and teeth. |
laparoscopy | Process of visually examining the contents of the abdomen (using an endoscope). |
lipase | Pancreatic enzyme necessary to digest fats. |
liver biopsy | Removal of liver tissue (percutaneous or through the skin) followed by microscopic examination. |
liver function tests | finds the presence of enzymes and bilirubin in blood or serum. |
lower gastrointestinal series | X-ray images of the colon and lower portion of the small intestine after injecting barium (radiopaque contrast material) into the rectum; barium enema. |
magnetic resonance imaging | Magnetic waves and radio waves produce images of organs and tissues in all three planes of the body. |
nasogastric intubation | Placement of a tube through the nose into the stomach. |