Medical Terminology – Week 2 (Ch. 3–5)

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key medical terms, diseases, tests, drugs, and procedures from Gastroenterology (Ch 3), Pulmonology (Ch 4), and Cardiology (Ch 5).

anorexia

Decreased appetite; may be disease related or a GI drug side-effect.

dysphagia

Difficult or painful eating/swallowing.

polyphagia

Excessive overeating, often from hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or psychiatric illness.

glossitis

Inflammation or infection of the tongue.

sialolithiasis

Salivary-gland stone that blocks saliva and causes swelling.

stomatitis

Inflammation of the oral mucosa.

dyspepsia

Epigastric pain or indigestion.

esophageal varix

Swollen, protruding vein in the esophageal mucosa.

gastritis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach.

gastroenteritis

Acute infection/inflammation of stomach and intestines.

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Chronic reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus causing irritation.

heartburn

Temporary esophageal irritation from stomach acid reflux.

hematemesis

Vomiting of blood.

peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

Chronic mucosal erosion from ulcers, often due to H. pylori.

stomach cancer

Malignancy beginning in gastric glandular mucosa, often H. pylori related.

ileus

Absence of normal intestinal peristalsis.

intussusception

Telescoping of one intestinal segment into another.

volvulus

Twisting/rotation of intestine around itself (malrotation).

appendicitis

Inflammation/infection of the appendix by trapped waste.

colon cancer

Malignancy arising from colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis.

diverticulum

Pouch formed by weakness in colon wall.

gluten sensitivity enteropathy

Autoimmune intestinal damage from gluten (celiac disease).

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Chronic inflammation of small and/or large intestine (Crohn or ulcerative colitis).

Crohn disease

IBD affecting ileum and colon, causing ulcers and scarring.

ulcerative colitis

IBD affecting colon/rectum with mucosal ulcers.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Functional GI disorder with pain, cramps, diarrhea/constipation, no inflammation.

polyposis

Condition of multiple benign mucosal polyps.

hemorrhoids

Swollen, protruding rectal/anal veins.

proctitis

Inflammation of the rectum, often post-radiation.

rectocele

Herniation of rectal wall into vaginal wall.

constipation

Infrequent, hard bowel movements.

diarrhea

Frequent, loose, watery stools.

flatulence

Excessive intestinal/stomach gas.

hematochezia

Bright-red blood in feces (lower GI bleed).

melena

Dark, tarry stools from upper GI bleeding.

steatorrhea

Fatty stools from lipase deficiency.

hernia

Protrusion of intestine through weakened muscle wall.

hiatal hernia

Stomach bulges through diaphragm opening.

umbilical hernia

Intestinal bulge at the navel.

inguinal hernia

Intestinal bulge in the groin.

peritonitis

Infection of peritoneum from GI rupture (e.g., appendix).

ascites

Fluid accumulation in the abdominopelvic cavity from portal hypertension.

cirrhosis

Chronic, irreversible liver degeneration and scarring.

hepatomegaly

Enlarged liver; palpable on exam.

hepatitis

Inflammation/infection of the liver by hepatitis viruses.

jaundice

Yellow skin/sclera from excess unconjugated bilirubin.

liver cancer

Secondary metastatic tumor in liver tissue.

gallbladder cancer

Malignancy in gallbladder or ducts.

cholangitis

Inflammation of bile ducts (often stones or cirrhosis).

cholecystitis

Inflammation of gallbladder, usually from cystic-duct stone.

cholelithiasis

Gallstones in gallbladder; choledocholithiasis if in common bile duct.

pancreatitis

Inflammation/infection of pancreas.

albumin test

Blood protein measurement; low levels suggest liver disease.

CLO test

Rapid biopsy screen for H. pylori using urea pad.

fecal culture & sensitivity (C&S)

Grows stool bacteria, tests antibiotic response.

fecal occult blood test

Detects hidden blood in stool.

gastric analysis

Measures stomach hydrochloric acid via NG tube.

liver function tests (LFTs)

Blood panel assessing hepatic enzymes and bilirubin.

Ova & Parasites (O&P)

Stool exam for worms and eggs.

barium enema (BE)

X-ray of colon after rectal barium contrast.

cholangiography

X-ray study outlining bile ducts with iodinated dye.

computed tomography (CT) scan

Cross-sectional X-ray imaging of abdominal organs.

gallbladder ultrasound

Sound-wave imaging to detect wall thickening and stones.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Slice images using magnetic field and radio waves.

upper gastrointestinal series (UGI)

Fluoroscopic study after swallowing barium; views esophagus/stomach/duodenum.

nasogastric (NG) tube

Flexible tube nose-to-stomach for drainage or feeding.

enema

Water/fluid inserted into rectum to relieve constipation.

antacid

Drug that neutralizes stomach acid (treats heartburn).

antidiarrheal

Slows peristalsis, allowing water reabsorption.

antiemetic

Prevents or treats nausea and vomiting.

H₂ blocker

Blocks stomach histamine-2 receptors, lowering acid (GERD/PUD).

laxative

Softens stool or adds fiber to treat constipation.

proton pump inhibitor (PPI)

Blocks gastric acid secretion at proton pump (e.g., omeprazole).

abdominocentesis

Needle removal of abdominal fluid for analysis/relief.

appendectomy

Surgical removal of appendix.

bariatric surgery

Procedures to limit food intake/absorption for severe obesity.

biopsy

Removal of tissue sample for microscopic examination.

bowel resection & anastomosis

Removal of diseased intestine section and surgical rejoining.

cholecystectomy

Gallbladder removal, often laparoscopic.

choledocholithotomy

Incision into common bile duct to remove stone.

colostomy

Surgical opening of colon through abdominal wall for fecal diversion.

endoscopy

Visual examination of GI tract with flexible scope.

gastrectomy

Partial or total stomach removal.

gastrostomy

Creating opening for feeding tube placement into stomach.

hemorrhoidectomy

Excision of hemorrhoids.

herniorrhaphy

Surgical repair of hernia defect.

jejunostomy

Opening from abdominal wall into jejunum for feeding.

liver transplant

Replacement of diseased liver with donor organ.

polypectomy

Removal of colon polyps via endoscope.

upper respiratory infection (URI)

Bacterial or viral infection of nose, throat; a "head cold."

asthma

Hyperreactive bronchi causing inflammation, mucus, bronchospasm.

status asthmaticus

Prolonged, severe, life-threatening asthma attack.

bronchitis

Inflammation/infection of bronchi; acute (infection) or chronic (smoke).

bronchiectasis

Permanent dilation and loss of elasticity in bronchioles.

reactive airway disease

General term for reversible airway narrowing with wheezing.

pleural friction rub

Creaking/grating sound from inflamed pleural layers.

crackles (rales)

Irregular bubbling sounds from fluid in alveoli.

rhonchi

Snoring/humming sound from mucus obstruction.

stridor

High-pitched crowing from laryngeal edema or obstruction.

wheezes

High-pitched whistling from narrowed bronchi (asthma).