Medical Terminology - Chapter 9

Mouth (or/o, stomat/o)

Begins preparation of food for digestion

Teeth (odont/i)

Used for biting, tearing, and chewing in mechanical digestion

Pharynx (pharyng/o)

Transports food from the mouth to the esophagus

Esophagus (esopahg/o)

Transports food from the pharynx to the stomach

Stomach (gastr/o)

Breaks down food and mixes it with gastric juices

Small Intestine (enter/o)

Mixes chyme coming from the stomach with digestive juices to complete digestion and absorption of most nutrients

Large Intestine (col/o, colon/o)

Absorbs excess water and prepares solid waste for elimination

Rectum and Anus (an/o, proct/o, rect/o)

Controls the excretion of solid waste

Liver (Hepat/o)

Secretes bile and enzymes to aid in the digestion of fats

Gallbladder (cholecyst/o)

Stores bile and releases it into the small intestine as needed

Pancreas (pancreat/o)

Secretes digestive juices and enzymes into the small intestine as needed

An/o

Anus, ring

Chol/e

Bile, gall

-emesis

Vomiting

-lithiasis

Presence of stones

-pepsia

Digest, digestion

-phagia

Eating, swallowing

Proct/o

Anus and rectum

Rect/o

Rectum, straight

Sigmoid

Sigmoid colon

Aerophagia

Excessive swallowing of air while eating or drinking and is a common cause of gas in the stomach

Anastomosis

Surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures

Antiemetic

A medication that is administered to prevent or relieve nausea/vomiting

Ascites

Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

Bariatrics

A branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and management of obesity and associated diseases

Borborygmus

The rumbling noise caused by the movement of gas within the intestine

Cachexia

A condition of physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and muscle mass that occurs in patients with diseases like advanced cancer or aids

Canker Sores

Gray-white pits with a red border in the soft tissues lining the mouth

Celiac Disease

Autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe reaction by ingesting gluten

Cheilitis

Also called cheilosis. Inflammation of the lips that has crack-like sores at the corner of the mouth

Cholangiography

Radiographic examination of the bile ducts with the use of a contrast medium

Cholangitis

Acute inflammation of the bile duct characterized by pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice

Cholecystectomy

Surgical removal of the gallbladder

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder usually associated with gallstones blocking the flow of the bile

Cholelithiasis

Presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts

Cirrhosis

Chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by scarring

Colonscopy

Direct visual examination of the inner surface of the entire colon from the rectum to the cecum using a colonscope

Colostomy

Surgical creation of an artificial excretory opening between the colon and the body surface

Crohn’s Disease

Chronic autoimmune disorder that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. Most commonly found in the ileum and in the colon

Dental Prophylaxis

Professional examining, cleaning, and polishing of the gums and teeth to remove plaque and tartar

Diverticulitis

Inflammation or infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon

Diverticulosis

Chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula or sacs. Formed in the weak spots of the colon wall

Dyspepsia

Also called indigestion. Pain or discomfort during the digestive process

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing

Endoscopy

Visual examination of internal structures

Enema

Placement of a solution into the rectum and colon to empty the lower intestine through bowel activity

Enteritis

Inflammation of the small intestine caused by ingesting substances contained with viral or bacterial pathogens, causing diarrhea.

Eructation

Act of belching or raising gas orally from the stomach

Esophageal Varices

Enlarged and swollen veins at the lower end of the esophagus

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Endoscopic procedure that allows the direct visualization of the upper GI Tract

Gastroduodenostomy

The establishment of an anastomosis between the upper portion of the stomach and duodenum

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Also called GERD. The upward flow of acid from the stomach to the esophagus

Gastroparesis

Condition in which gastric motility slows down, causing delayed gastric emptying

Gastrostomy Tube

Surgically placed feeding tube from the exterior of the body on the abdomen, directly on the stomach

Hematemesis

Vomiting of coagulated blood

Hemoccult test

Also called fecal occult blood test. A laboratory test for hidden blood in the stool

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver due to a viral infection

Hiatal Hernia

Anatomical abnormality in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm

Hyperemesis

Extreme, persistent vomiting that can cause dehydration

Ileus

Partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine

Inguinal Hernia

Protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in the lower abdominal wall or groin

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes

Leukoplakia

Abnormal white, usually benign lesion that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek

Malocclusion

Any deviation from the normal positioning of the upper teeth against the lower teeth

Melena

Passage of black, tarry, foul-smelling stools

Nasogastric Intubation

Placement of a nasogastric feeding tube through the nose and into the stomach

Palatoplasty

Surgical repair of a cleft palate, also used to refer to the repair of a cleft lip

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Characterized by sores that affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system

Peristalsis

Series of wave-like contractions of the smooth muscles in a single direction that moves the food into the digestive system

Proctologist

Physician that specializes in the disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus

Regurgitation

Return of swallowed food into the mouth

Salmonellosis

Also called salmonella. Transmitted through feces, through direct contact with animals or eating contaminated raw/undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or unpasteurized milk products

Sigmoidoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the interior of the rectum, sigmoid colon, and possibly a portion at the descending colon

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the muccsa of the mouth

Trismus

Also called lockjaw. Any restriction to the opening of the mouth caused by trauma, surgery, or radiation associated with the treatment of oral cancer

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic condition of unknown cause where repeated episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large intestine cause ulcers and irritation

Volvulus

Twisting of an intestine on itself, causing an obstruction

Xerostomia

Also called dry mouth. The lack of adequate salivia due to diminished secretions by salivary glands

Upper GI Tract

Consists of the mouth. pharynx (throat), esophagus, and stomach. Transports food until digestion begins

Lower GI Tract

Also called the bowels. Made up of the large and small intestine also rectum and anus. Digestion is completed and waste is prepped for expulsion from the body

Accessory Organs

Made up of the liver. gallbladder, and pancreas

Lips

Also called the labia. Surrounds the opening to the oral cavity. While eating, the lips, tongue, and cheeks fold the food into the mouth and are also used for breathing. speaking, and expressing emotions

Palate

Creates the roof of the mouth and consists of three parts

Hard palate

The anterior (front) side and is covered in a specialized mucous membrane

Soft palate

Posterior (back) side and is flexible. It closes the nasal passage to prevent food and liquids from moving up into the nasal cavity while swallowing

Uvula

Hangs off the edge off the soft palate. It moves upward from the soft palate during swallowing and is key in snoring and creation of some speech sounds

Tongue

Extremely flexible and strong. The posterior side is attached to the mouth by the Lingual Frenum, while the anterior side can move freely

Dorsal Tongue

Upper portion of the tongue, which consists of a tough, protective covering and some small bumps called papillae.

Sublingual Surface

The under side of the tongue, The surface and tissues are covered with a delicate, super vascular (lots of blood vessel) tissue.

Periodontium

The structure that surrounds, supports, and is attached to the teeth. Consists of the bone in dental arches and soft tissue around the teeth

Gingiva

Also called the masticatory mucosa or gums. A specialized mucous membrane that covers the bone of the dental arches and surrounds the neck of the teeth

Sulcus

Area between a tooth and surrounding gingiva. Any food debris or bacteria buildup can cause infection

Dental arches

The bony structure of the oral cavity which hold the teeth firmly for speaking and chewing

Maxillary

The upper jaw that consists of bones in the lower surface of the skull

Mandibular

The lower jaw that is a completely separate bone and the only movable one

Temporomandibular

Also called TMJ. Formed at the back of the mouth where the upper and lower jaw meet

Dentition

The natural teeth in the lower and upper jaw. There are 4 kinds of teeth: incisors, canines, and premolars (bicuspids and molars)

Incisors and Canines

The teeth used for biting and tearing. In children, there are 8 incisors and 4 canines. In adults, there are 8 incisors and 4 canines

Premolars

Consists of the bicuspids and molars. In children, there are 8 molars. In adults, there are 8 premolars and 12 molars

Occulsion

Refers to the contact between the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth