Question | Answer |
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. |
Anastomosis | The natural or surgical joining of two hollow structures. |
Anorectal | Pertaining to both the anus and the rectum. |
Anorexia Nervosa | An eating disorder characterized by poor body image and refusal to eat. |
Anus | The outlet of the rectum. |
Ascending colon | First portion of the colon, extending from the cecum to the lower border of the liver. |
Ascites | Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity. |
Barium enema | Radiographic examination of the lower Digestive system, using liquid contrast to visualize. |
Bucca | Pertaining to the cheek. |
Bulimia | An eating disorder characterized by binge eating, purging, and vigorous exercise. |
Borborygmus | Gurgling sound heard as the gas passes through the liquid in the intestines. |
Cecum | First 2-3" of the large intestine. |
Celiac | Pertainging to the abdomen. |
Cheiloplasty | Surgical repair of the lip |
Cholangioma | Tumor of the bile duct or vessel. |
Cholecystogram | Radiographic record of the gallbladder. |
Cholelith | A gallstone. |
Choledocholithotomy | Removal of a gallstone through an inscision of the bile duct. |
Cirrhosis | Chronic disease of the liver. |
Colon | As called the large intestine; it is divided into four portions and is responsible for absorptionand elimination. |
Colostomy | Surgical formation of an opening from the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside. |
Deglutition | The act of swallowing. |
Descending colon | Third continuation of the colon which joins and forms the sigmoid colon. |
Diarrhea | The passage of unformed watery bowel movements. |
Digestion | The process by which food is broken down, mechanically and chemically in the digestive tract and converted into an absorbable form that can be used by the body. |
Duodenum | Uppermost division of the small intestine; receives secretions to aid in digestion. |
Dysphagia | Painful or difficult swallowing. |
Elimination | To remove, get rid of, exclude; also to pass urine from the bladder or stool from the bowel. |
Endoscopy | Tube via the mouth or anus. |
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. |
ERCP | Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. Radiographs of the pancreas and bile vessels after I.V. injection of a radiopaque contrast medium. |
Eructation | The raising of gas or acid from the stomach, resulting in belching. |
Esophagojejunostomy | Anastomosis of the esophagus and jejunum. |
Esophagus | A muscular canal which extends from the pharynx to the stomach. |
Fecalith | A fecal concentration (stone of fecal material). |
Gallbladder | An organ below the liver which stores and empties bile through its ducts into the small intestine. |
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy | Visual examination of the digestive tract using a fibre optic. |
Gastrointestinal system | Provides the body with nutrients, electrolytes and system water by ingestion,digestion,elimination and absorption. |
Halitosis | Bad Breath. |
Hepatomegaly | Enlargement of the liver. |
Hernia | Abnormal protrusion of an 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. |
Jejunum | Second division of the small intestine. |
Laryngopharynx | the lower portion of the pharynx which divides into the trachea and esophagus. |
Leukoplakia | White patches on the mucous membranes of the tongue or cheek. |
Lingual | Pertaining to the tongue. |
Liver | The largest gladular 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- the first stage of digestion. |
Melena | Black tarry feces due to blood in the intestinal tract. |
Nasopharynx | The portion of the throat above the soft palate and behind the nose. |
Obstipation | Extreme constipation. |
Occult blood | A test in which stool samples are collected to determine gastrointestinal bleeding. |
Oropharynx | The central part of the throat between the soft palate and epiglottis. |
Pancreas | An organ which uses ducts to provide exocrine secretions to the duodenum to aid in digestion. |
Peristalsis | Progressive wave-like motion which causes the contents of the digestive tract to be forced onward. |
Pharynx | Passageway for the 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 digestive tract which terminates at the stomach. |
Regurgitation | The return of solids or fluids to the mouth from the stomach. |
Serum Bilirubin | A blood test to determine hepatic disorders. |
Sialolithiasis | Presence of a stone in the salivary gland. |
Sigmoid colon | A flexure of the colon which joins the descending colon and the rectum. |
Small intestine | A continuation of the digestive 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. |
Stomatitis | Inflammation of the mouth of the stomach. |
Steatorrhea | Excessive fat in the feces due to malabsorption. |
Trachea | Cartilaginous tube which extends from the larynx to the bronchial tubes. |
Transverse colon | Second portion of the colon that passes horizontially across the abdomen toward the spleen. |
Ulcer | A lesion of the skin or mucous membrane which frequently develops in the duodenum or stomach. |
Vermiform Appendix | A worm-like projection that hangs from the cecum. |
Jaundice | Yellowing of the skin. |
Splenorrhexis | Rupture of the spleen. |
Lithotripsy | Procedure that destroys stones with shockwaves to pulverize them. |
Enterostomy | Surgical opening- small intestine to outside through abdomen. |
Malabsorption | Condition in which nutrients are digested but are not taken in by intestinal tissues. |
Mesenteries | Double-layered folds of peritoneum that support portions of the small intestine. |
Volvulus | Life threatening obstruction in which the bowel twists on itself. |
Sialolith | Stone within the salivary gland. |
Rugae | Folds within the stomach that permit distention and secrete hydrochloric acid. |
Hemorroids | Enlargement of the veins in the mucous membrane of the anal canal. |