GI vocabulary

abscess

localized collection of purulent material surrounded by inflamed tissues

absorption

phase of the digestive process that occurs when small molecules, vitamins, and minerals
pass through the walls of the small and large intestine and into the bloodstream

achalasia

absence of peristalsis of the lower esophagus resulting in difficulty swallowing, regurgitation,
and sometimes pain

amylase

an enzyme that aids in the digestion of starch

antrectomy

removal of the pyloric (antrum) portion of the stomach with anastomosis (surgical
connection) to the duodenum (gastroduodenostomy or Billroth I) or anastomosis to the jejunum
(gastrojejunostomy or Billroth II)

antireflux valve

valve that prevents return or backward flow of fluid

anus

last section of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; outlet for waste products from the GI system

aspiration

removal of substance by suction or the inhalation of fluids or foods into the trachea and
bronchial tree

bariatric

relating to obesity; term derives from two Greek words meaning “weight” and “treatment”

belching

a normal process of releasing through the mouth air that accumulates in the stomach,
thereby relieving distention 1

bloating

a swollen state caused by retention of fluid or gas 2

bolus

a feeding administered into the stomach in large amounts and at designated intervals

colon

the long, coiled, tubelike organ that removes water from digested food. Also known as large
bowel and large intestine.3

cholecystectomy

removal of the gallbladder

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder which can be acute or chronic

cholecystokinin (CCK)

hormone; major stimulus for digestive enzyme secretion; stimulates contraction
of the gallbladder

cholelithiasis

calculi in the gallbladder

chyme

mixture of food with saliva, salivary enzymes, and gastric secretions that is produced as food
passes through the mouth, esophagus, and stomach

colostomy

surgical opening into the colon by means of a stoma to allow drainage of bowel contents;
one type of fecal diversion

constipation

fewer than three bowel movements weekly or bowel movements that are hard, dry, small,
or difficult to pass

cyclic feeding

periodic infusion of feedings given over 8 to 18 hours
decompression (gastric/intestinal)

diarrhea

an increased frequency of bowel movements or an increased amount of stool with altered
consistency (i.e., increased liquidity) of stool.

digestion

phase of the digestive process that occurs when digestive enzymes and secretions mix with
ingested food and when proteins, fats, and sugars are broken down into their component smaller
molecules

diverticulitis

inflammation of a diverticulum from obstruction by fecal matter resulting in abscess
formation

diverticulosis

presence of several diverticula in the intestine

diverticulum

saclike out-pouching of the lining of the bowel protruding through the muscle of the
intestinal wall

dumping syndrome

physiologic response to rapid emptying of gastric contents into the jejunum,
manifested by nausea, weakness, sweating, palpitations, syncope, and possibly diarrhea; occurs in
patients who have had partial gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy

duodenum

first portion of the small intestine, between the stomach and the jejunum

dyspepsia

indigestion; upper abdominal discomfort associated with eating

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

elimination

phase of the digestive process that occurs after digestion and absorption, when waste
products are evacuated from the body

enteral nutrition

nutritional formula feedings infused through a tube directly into the gastrointestinal
tract

esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

passage of a fiberoptic tube through the mouth and throat into
the digestive tract for visualization of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine; biopsies can be
performed

esophagus

collapsible tube connecting the mouth to the stomach, through which food passes as it is
ingested

fecal incontinence

involuntary passage of feces

fibroscopy (gastrointestinal)

intubation of a part of the GI system with a flexible, lighted tube to assist
in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of that area

fissure

normal or abnormal fold, groove, or crack in body tissue

fistula

anatomically abnormal tract that arises between two internal organs or between an internal
organ and the body surface

gastric

refers to the stomach

gastric outlet obstruction

any condition that mechanically impedes normal gastric emptying; there is
obstruction of the channel of the pylorus and duodenum through which the stomach empties

gastritis

inflammation of the stomach

gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)

backflow of gastric or duodenal contents into the esophagus

gastroparesis

partial paralysis of the stomach that results in decreased gastric motility and emptying

gastrostomy

surgical creation of an opening into the stomach for the purpose of administering fluids,
nutrition formulas, and medications or for decompression and drainage of stomach contents

halitosis

foul odor from the oral cavity; in laymen’s terms, “bad breath”

Helicobacter pylori

a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa; is
involved in most cases of peptic ulcer disease

hematemesis

vomiting of blood

hematochezia

bright red, bloody stools

hemorrhoids

dilated portions of the anal veins

hernia

protrusion of an organ or part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains
it

hydrochloric acid

acid secreted by the glands in the stomach; mixes with chyme to break it down into
absorbable molecules and to aid in the destruction of bacteria

incarceration

The imprisonment of a part; as in some forms of a hernia 4

ingestion

phase of the digestive process that occurs when food is taken into the GI tract via the mouth
and esophagus

ileostomy

surgical opening into the ileum by means of a stoma to allow drainage of bowel contents;
one type of fecal diversion

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

group of chronic disorders (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease)
that result in inflammation or ulceration (or both) of the bowel lining

intrinsic factor

a gastric secretion that combines with vitamin B12 so that the vitamin can be absorbed

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

chronic functional disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain
that affects frequency of defecation and consistency of stool; is associated with no specific structural
or biochemical alterations

jaundice

condition where the body tissues, including the sclerae and the skin, become tinged yellow or
greenish-yellow, due to high bilirubin levels

jejunostomy

surgical creation of an opening into the jejunum for the purpose of administering fluids,
nutrition formulas, and medications

jejunum

second portion of the small intestine, which extends from the duodenum to the ileum

large intestine

the portion of the GI tract into which waste material from the small intestine passes as
absorption continues and elimination begins; consists of several parts—ascending segment,
transverse segment, descending segment, sigmoid colon, and rectum; also known as the colon

lavage

flushing of the stomach with water or other fluids with a gastric tube to clear it

lipase

an enzyme that aids in the digestion of fats

malabsorption

impaired transport across the mucosa

melena

tarry or black stools; indicative of occult blood in stools

nasogastric (NG) tube

tube inserted through the nose into the stomach

odynophagia

pain on swallowing

parenteral nutrition (PN)

method of supplying nutrients to the body by an intravenous route

pepsin

a gastric enzyme that is important in protein digestion

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)

a feeding tube inserted endoscopically into the stomach

peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)

a device inserted into a peripheral vein and designed and
used for administration of sterile fluids, nutrition formulas, and medications into central veins

peristalsis

wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in the alimentary canal

peritoneum

thin membrane that lines the inside of the wall of the abdomen and covers all of the
abdominal organs

peritonitis

inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity

pylorus

opening between the stomach and the duodenum

pyrosis

heartburn; a burning sensation in the stomach and esophagus that moves up to the mouth;
commonly called heartburn

pH

the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance or solution

radiopaque

can be easily localized on x-ray

small intestine

longest portion of the GI tract, consisting of three parts—duodenum, jejunum, and
ileum—through which food mixed with all secretions and enzymes passes as it continues to be
digested and begins to be absorbed into the bloodstream

steatorrhea

fatty stool; typically malodorous with an oily appearance and floats in water

stenosis

narrowing or tightening of an opening or passage in the body

stoma

artificially created opening between a body cavity (e.g., stomach or intestine) and the body
surface

stomach

distensible pouch into which the food bolus passes to be digested by gastric enzymes

stomatitis

inflammation of the oral mucosa

tenesmus

ineffective and sometimes painful straining and urge to eliminate either feces or urine
trypsin

vagotomy syndrome

dumping syndrome; gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and abdominal
cramping, resulting from rapid gastric emptying