MED 121 Chapter 5: Overall Digestive System Disorders, Disorders of the Teeth and Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver, Gallbladder & Pancreas

Antigen

substance capable of triggering an immune response

Constipation

hard, infrequent bowel movements

Emesis

condition of vomiting

Intolerance

inability of the small intestine to metabolize a particular dietary constituent

Lactose

the disaccharide in cow's milk

Melena

the passage of black, tarry stools

Vomit

expel contents from the stomach, though the esophagus, and out the mouth

Abscess

a collection of pus

Canker sore (Aphthous ulcer)

nonmedical term for aphthous ulcer

Caries

bacterial destruction of teeth

Gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

Halitosis

bad odor of the breath

Leukoplakia

white patch on oral mucous membrane, often precancerous

Periodontics

branch of dentistry specializing in disorders of tissues around the teeth

Plaque

patch of abnormal tissue

Tarter

calcified deposit at the gingival margin of the teeth

Thrush

infection with Candida albicans

Ulcer

erosion of an area of skin or mucosa

Dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing

Esophagitis

inflammation of the lining of the esophagus

Esophageal varices

dilated, tortuous varicose veins of the esophagus

Gastroesophageal

pertaining to the stomach and esophagus

Hernia

protrusion of a structure through the tissue that normally

Hiatus

an opening through a structure

Reflux

backward flow

Regurgitation

expelling contents of the stomach into the mouth, short of vomiting

Varicose

characterized by or affected with varices

Anorexia

severe lack of appetite; or an aversion to food

Distend

to swell, stretch

Erosion

a shallow ulcer in the lining of a structure

Gastritis

inflammation of the lining of the stomach

Peptic

relating to the stomach and duodenum

Perforation

erosion that progresses to become a hole through the wall of a structure

Vagus (10th cranial nerve)

tenth (X) cranial nerve; supplies many different organs throughout the body

Celiac

relating to the abdominal cavity

Dehydration

process of losing body water

Diarrhea

abnormally frequent and loose stools

Dysentery

disease with diarrhea, bowel spasms, fever, and dehydration

Ileus (paralytic ileus)

disruption of the normal peristaltic ability of the small intestine

Appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

Bowel

another name for intestine

Colitis

inflammation of the colon

Diverticulosis

presence of a number of small pouches in the wall of the large intestine

Fissure

deep furrow or cleft

Fistula

abnormal passage

Hemorrhoid

dilated rectal vein producing painful anal swelling

Lumen

the interior space of a tubelike structure

Peritoneum

membrane that lines the abdominal cavity

Polyp

mass of tissue that projects into the lumen of a hollow organ

Precancerous

lesion from which a cancer can develop

Stool

matter expelled from a bowel movement

Ulcerative

marked by an ulcer or ulcers

Cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

Cirrhosis

extensive fibrotic liver disease

Hemochromatosis

dangerously high levels of iron in the body with deposition of iron pigments in tissues

Hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

Jaundice (Icterus)

yellow staining of tissues with bile pigments, including bilirubin