Digestive System

abdominal paracentesis

puncture of the abdomen for aspiration of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (e.g., fluid accumulated in ascites)

abdominal sonogram

ultrasound image of the abdomen to detect disease or deformity in organs and vascular structures (e.g., liver, pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, and aorta)

abdominocentesis

puncture of the abdomen for aspiration of fluid

anal fistula

an abnormal, tube-like passageway from the anus that may connect with the rectum

anal fistulectomy

excision of an anal fistula

anastomosis

union of two hollow vessels; a technique used in bowel surgery

ankyloglossia

tongue-tie; a defect of the tongue characterized by a short, thick frenulum

anorexia

loss of appetite

antacid

drug that neutralizes stomach acid

antiemetic

drug that prevents or stops vomiting

antispasmodic

drug that decreases motility in the gastrointestinal tract to arrest spasm or diarrhea

anus

opening of the rectum to the outside of the body

aphagia

inability to swallow

appendectomy

excision of a diseased appendix

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

appendix

worm-like projection of lymphatic tissue hanging off the cecum; may help to resist infection; also called vermiform appendix

ascites

accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

bariatric surgery

treatment of morbid obesity by surgery to the stomach and/or intestines; procedures include restrictive techniques that limit the size of the stomach and malabsorptive techniques that limit the absorption of food

barium enema

x-ray imaging of the lower intestinal tract after administration of an enema containing a contrast dye; also called lower gastrointestinal (GI) series

barium swallow

x-ray of the esophagus only; often used to locate swallowed objects

biliary ducts

ducts that convey bile; include the common hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts

biopsy (Bx)

removal and microscopic study of tissue for pathologic examination

buccal

in the cheek

capsule endoscopy

examination of the small intestine made by a tiny video camera placed in a capsule and then swallowed; images are transmitted to a waist-belt recorder and then downloaded onto a computer for assessment of possible abnormalities

cathartic

drug that causes movement of the bowels; also called a laxative

cecum

first part of the large intestine

cheeks

lateral walls of the mouth

cheilitis

inflammation of the lip

cheiloplasty

repair of the lip

cholangitis

inflammation of the bile ducts

cholangiogram

x-ray image of the bile ducts; often performed during surgery

choledocholithiasis

presence of stones in the common bile duct

cholecystectomy

excision of the gallbladder; common treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

cholecystogram

x-ray image of the gallbladder obtained after oral ingestion of iodine

cholelithiasis

presence of stones in the gallbladder or bile ducts

colon

portions of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum; identified by direction or shape

colitis

inflammation of the colon (large intestine)

colonoscopy

examination of the colon using a flexible colonoscope

colorectal polyps

benign tissue growths on the mucous membrane lining the large intestine and rectum; adenomatous types are precancerous and likely to develop into malignancy

colostomy

creation of an opening in the colon through the abdominal wall to create an abdominal anus, allowing stool to bypass a diseased portion of the colon

computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen

cross-sectional x-ray imaging of the abdomen used to identify a condition or anomaly within the gastrointestinal tract

constipation

infrequent or incomplete bowel movements characterized by hardened, dry stool that is difficult to pass

defecation

evacuation of feces from the rectum

descending colon

portion of the colon that extends downward from the transverse colon

diarrhea

frequent loose or liquid stools

diverticulitis

inflammation of diverticula

diverticulosis

presence of diverticula in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon

diverticulum

an abnormal side pocket in the gastrointestinal tract; usually related to a low dietary fiber intake

duodenal ulcer

ulcer located in the duodenum

duodenum

first portion of the small intestine

dysentery

inflammation of the intestine characterized by frequent, bloody stools

dyspepsia

indigestion

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

endoscopic procedure including x-ray fluoroscopy to examine the ducts of the liver, gallbladder, biliary ducts, and pancreas

endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)

images produced using a sonographic transducer within an endoscope to evaluate abnormalities of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts and adjacent structures

endoscopy

examination within a body cavity with a flexible endoscope for diagnosis or treatment

enteritis

inflammation of the small intestine

eructation

belch

esophageal varices

swollen, twisted veins in the esophagus that are especially susceptible to ulceration and hemorrhage

esophagitis

inflammation of the esophagus

esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with a flexible endoscope

esophagoplasty

repair of the esophagus

esophagus

muscular tube that moves food from the pharynx to the stomach

excisional biopsy

removal of an entire lesion

feces

waste formed by the absorption of water in the large intestine; usually solid

flatulence

gas in the stomach or intestines

fluoroscopy

x-ray imaging with a fluorescent screen to visualize structures in motion

gallbladder

receptacle that stores and concentrates the bile produced in the liver

gastric lavage

oral insertion of a tube into the stomach for examination and treatment

gastric resection

partial removal and repair of the stomach

gastric ulcer

ulcer located in the stomach

gastrectomy

partial or complete removal of the stomach

gastritis

inflammation of the stomach

gastroenterostomy

formation of an artificial opening between the stomach and small intestine

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

backflow of contents of the stomach into the esophagus, often resulting from abnormal function of the lower esophageal sphincter

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

glossectomy

excision of all or part of the tongue

glossitis

inflammation of the tongue

glossorrhaphy

suture of the tongue

gums

tissue surrounding the necks of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws; also called gingivae

halitosis

bad breath

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hematochezia

red blood in stool

hemorrhoid

swollen, twisted vein (varicosity) in the anal region

hemorrhoidectomy

excision of hemorrhoids

hepatic lobectomy

excision of a lobe of the liver

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

hepatitis A

inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), usually transmitted orally through fecal contamination of food or water

hepatitis B

inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is transmitted sexually or by exposure to contaminated blood or body fluids

hepatitis C

inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is transmitted by exposure to infected blood

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

hernioplasty

repair of a hernia; also called herniorrhaphy

herniorrhaphy

repair of a hernia; also called hernioplasty

hernia

protrusion of an organ part from its normal location

hiatal hernia

protrusion of a part of the stomach upward through the opening in the diaphragm

hypochondriac regions

upper lateral regions beneath the ribs

hypogastric region

region below the navel

hypoglossal

under the tongue; also called sublingual

hyperbilirubinemia

excessive level of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the blood