The Digestive System

abdomin/o

abdomen (starts with ab-)

lapar/o

abdomen (starts with la-)

celi/o

abdomen (starts with ce-)

an/o

anus or rectum (starts with an-)

proct/o

anus or rectum (starts with pr-)

rect/o

anus or rectum (starts with re-)

chol/e

bile or gall (starts with ch-, ends in -e)

chol/o

bile or gall (starts with ch-, ends in -o)

bil/i

bile or gall (starts with bi-)

col/o

colon or large intestine (starts with co-, short form)

colon/o

colon or large intestine (starts with co-, long form)

duoden/o

duodenum, first section of the small intestine (starts with du-)

jejun/o

jejunum, middle section of the small intestine (starts with je-)

ile/o

ileum, last and longest section of the small intestine (starts with il-)

gastr/o

stomach (starts with ga-)

hepat/o

liver (starts with he-)

stomat/o

mouth (starts with st-)

or/o

mouth (starts with or-)

-pepsia

digestion (suffix starting with -p)

-phagia

eating or swallowing (suffix starting with -p)

-emesis

vomiting (suffix starting with -e)

-chezia

defecation or passing stool (suffix starting with -c)

Alimentary canal

The continuous muscular digestive tract extending from the mouth to the anus

Peristalsis

Rhythmic, wave-like muscle contractions that move food along the digestive tract

Chyme

The semi-fluid mass of partly digested food passed from the stomach into the duodenum

Dysphagia

Difficulty or pain experienced when attempting to swallow

Dyspepsia

Impairment of digestion or general indigestion symptoms

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood

Hematochezia

The passage of fresh, bright red blood from the anus

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by elevated bilirubin levels

Ascites

Abnormal accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal/abdominal cavity

Cholelithiasis

The presence or formation of gallstones in the gallbladder

EGD

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Hemoccult test

Laboratory test utilized to detect hidden or occult blood in stool specimens

Laparotomy

Surgical incision into the abdominal wall

Abdominocentesis

Surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity with a needle to drain excess fluid

Anastomosis

Surgical connection established between two hollow or tubular organ structures