Question | Answer |
Aneurysm | defect or sac formed by dilation in artery wall due to therosclerosis, trauma, or congenital defect |
Anorexia | loss of appetite for food |
Ascites | abnormal accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity, associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, cancer, or portal hypertension |
Borborygmi | loud gurgling bowel sounds signaling increased motility or hyperperistalsis, occur with early bowel obstruction, gastroenteritis, diarrhea |
Bruit | blowing, swooshing sound heard through a stethoscope when an artery is partiall occluded |
Cecum | first or proximal part of large intestine |
Cholecystitis | inflammation of the gallbladder |
Costal margin | lower border of rib margin formed by the medial edges of the 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs |
Costovertebral Angle | angle formed by the 12th rib and the vertebral column on the posterior thorax, overlying the kidney |
Diastasis recti | midline longitudinal ridge in the abdomen, a separation of abdominal rectus muscles |
Dysphagia | difficulty swallowing |
Epigastrium | name of abdominal region between the costal margins |
Eructation | belching |
Hematemesis | vomiting blood |
Hepatomegaly | abnormal enlargement of the liver |
Hernia | abnormal protrusion of bowel through weakening in abdominal musculature |
Inguinal ligament | ligament extending from pubic bone to anterior superior iliac spine, forming lower border of abdomen |
Linea alba | midline tendinous seam joining the abdominal muscles |
Melena | black, tarry feces caused by digestion of blood in the GI tract |
Paralytic ileus | complete absence of peristaltic movement that may follow abdominal surgery or complete bowel obstruction |
Peritonitis | inflammation of peritoneum |
Pyloric stenosis | congenital narrowing of pyloric sphincter, forming outflow obstruction of stomach |
Peritoneal friction rub | rough grating sound heard through the stethoscope over the site of peritoneal inflammation |
Pyrosis | heartburn |
Rectus abdominus muscle | midline abdominal muscles extending from rib cage to pubic bone |
Schaphoid | abnormally sunken abdominal muscles as with malnutrition or underweight |
Splenomegaly | abnormal enlargement of spleen |
Striae (linea albicantes) | silvery white or pink scar tissue formed by stretching of abdominal skin as with pregnancy or obesity |
Suprapubic | name of abdominal region just superior to pubic bone |
Tympany | high-pitched, musical, drumlike percussion note heard when percussing over the stomach and intestine |
Viscera | internal organs |
Umbilicus | depression on the abdomen marking site of entry of umbilical cord |