Chapter 12 Terms

mouth; oral cavity

opening where food enters the body and undergoes the first process of digestion

palate

the roof of the mouth; separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity

uvula; uvula of soft palate

small piece of tissue that hangs in the posterior portion of the oral cavity

tongue

muscular organ at the floor of the mouth assists in swallowing and speaking

teeth

structures that provide the hard surfaces needed for chewing (mastication)

salivary glands

saliva-secreting glands in the oral cavity; include the parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands

saliva

clear, tasteless, slightly acidic (pH 6.8) fluid that helps to lubricate food in the mouth

pharynx; throat

space behind the mouth that serves as a passage for food from the mouth to the esophagus and for air from the nose and mouth to the larynx

esophagus

muscular tube that moves food from the pharynx to the stomach

stomach

sac-like organ in which chemical and mechanical digestion take place

cardia

region where the esophagus connects to the stomach

fundus

superior dome-shaped region of the stomach

body

largest region of the stomach, between the fungus and pylorus

lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

ring of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach

pyloric sphincter

ring of muscle between the stomach and the first segment of the small intestine (duodenum)

pylorus

lower region of the stomach that connects to the small intestine

rugae

folds in the stomach lining that increase the surface area for absorption of nutrients

small intestine

section of digestive tube between the stomach and cecum where most absorption of nutrients occurs

duodenum

first segment of the small intestine

jejunum

the middle segment of the small intestine

ilieum

the last segment of the small intestine that connects to the large intestine

large intestine

distal section of digestive tube, extending from the small intestine to the anus, where water and electrolytes are absorbed and wastes are formed

cecum

first segment of the large intestine

appendix

finger-like projection off the cecum of the large intestine

colon

segment of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum and is divided into 4 parts

ascending colon

segment of the large intestine on the right side between the cecum and the right colic flexure

right colic flexure

the bend of the colon between the ascending the transverse sections

transverse colon

segment of the large intestine between the ascending and descending colon

left colic flexure

the bend of the colon between the transverse and descending sections

descending colon

segment of the large intestine on the left side between the left colic flexure and the sigmoid colon

sigmoid colon

terminal segment of the large intestine that joins with the rectum

rectum

extension of the large intestine; a pouch that holds solid waste before elimination from the body

anus

opening at the end of the digestive tract through which solid waste exits the body

liver

large glandular organ that produces and secretes bile into the gallbladder

bile

fluid that is secreted by the liver into the duodenum and aids in the digestion of fats

gallbladder

sac-shaped organ beneath the liver that stores bile secreted by the liver and releases it into the small intestine

pancreas

organ that secretes pancreatic juice (digestive enzymes) into the small intestine; its endocrine part secretes insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream

anorexia

decrease in or loss of appetite

bolus

ball of chewed food that is ready to be swallowed

chyme

partially digested food that passes from the stomach into the duodenum

defecation; bowel movement

passage of solid wastes (feces) from the body

deglutition

the act of swallowing

digestion

the mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic process of breaking down food into substances that body can use

eructation

the voiding of gas or acidic fluid from the stomach through the mouth; burp or belch

feces

waste matter discharges from the bowels

flatus

gas that passes through the anus

halitosis

bad breath

hematochezia

the passage of bloody stools

inguinal

relating to the groin

mastication

chewing

melena

black, tarry stools sue to the presence of blood altered by intenstinal juices

nausea

the urge to vomit

occult blood

blood in the feces in amounts that are too small to be seen by the naked eye but detectable by chemical tests

peristalsis

involuntary contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles of the GI tract creating wave-like movements that push substances along its length

postprandial

after a meal

vomit; regurgitate

to eject matter from the stomach through the mouth

anorexia nervosa

eating disorder characterized by an extreme fear of becoming obese and by an aversion to eating

ascites

accumulation of fluid in the abdominal/peritoneal cavity

cholelithiasis

presence of stones in the gallbladder or bile ducts; formation of gallstones

cirrhosis

chronic liver disease characterized by gradual failure of liver cells and loss of blood slow in the liver

constipated

decreased number of bowel movements often associated with hard stools

Crohn disease; regional enteritis

chronic intestinal inflammation of unknown cause that is characterized by deep ulcers and thickening of the intestine

diarrhea

abnormally frequent discharge of semisolid or liquid feces

diverticulum

an abnormal push on the wall of a hollow organ that protrudes outward

dysentery

infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea containing blood and mucus

dyspepsia

indigestion or upset stomach

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

gastric ulcer

sore on the stomach lining with inflammation

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus

hemorrhoids

swollen (varicose) veins in the anal region; may be internal or external

hiatal hernia

protrusion of a part of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm

ileus

an obstruction of the intestine

incontinence

inability to prevent the discharge of feces or urine

intussusception

the sliding (enfolding) of one section of the intestine into an adjacent section, much like the parts of a collapsible telescope

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

painful intestinal disease characterized by constipation alternating with diarrhea

peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

ulcer of the stomach or duodenum that is caused by gastric acid

polyp

section of tissue that grows abnormally and protrudes from a surface

polyposis

condition characterized by the presence of several polyps

pruritus ani

itching around the opening of the anus

ulcerative colitis

painful condition in which ulcers form in the colon and rectum

volvulus

a twisting of the intestine that can cause obstruction

occult blood test; hemoccult test

screening test that detects hidden blood infects; the amount of blood is too small to be seen but can be detected by chemical tests

stool culture

microscopic examination of feces for identification of possible pathogens

abdominocentesis; paracentesis

puncture into the abdomen to obtain fluid for culture or to relieve pressure

barium enema (BE)

use of contrast dye to view the lower gastrointestinal tract

esophagogastrodudenoscopy (EGD)

visual examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, usually using a fiberoptic endoscope

flexible sigmoidoscopy

visual examination of the interior of the sigmoid colon using a fiberoptic endoscope

laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdominopelvic cavity with a laparoscope

proctoscopy

visual examination of the rectum and anus with an endoscope

upper gastrointestinal series; barium swallow

radiographic contrast study of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum

abdominoperineal resection (APR)

surgical removal of the colon and rectum by both abdominal and perineal approaches; includes a colostomy and is performed to treat severe lower intestinal diseases including cancer

anastomosis

a connection made surgically between 2 structures, such as adjacent parts of the intestine

bariatric surgery

surgical removal of parts of the stomach and/or intestines to induces weight loss

gastric bypass surgery

surgical procedure in which the stomach is divided into a small upper such and larger pouch and then the small intestine is rearranges and connected to both pouches

cholelithotripsy

crushing of gallstones

gastric lavage

insertion of a tube from the mouth into the stomach to wash and suction out its contents for examination and treatment; usually cone to remove blood clots or monitor bleeding

gavage

process of feeding a patient through nasogastric intubation

nasogastric (NG) intubation

insertion of a tube from the nose into the stomach for feeding or suctioning stomach contents

total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

feeding a person intravenously or by a nasogastric tube

antacid

drug used to reduce stomach acid or neutralize acidity