Week 1 Key Terms

Flashcards for exam review

Peristalsis

The coordinated, rhythmic contractions of the muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that move food and waste products through the digestive system.

Borborygmi

The rumbling or gurgling noise made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines.

Ascites

The accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, causing abdominal swelling, often associated with liver disease.

Jaundice

A yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, often due to liver dysfunction.

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver, which can be indicative of various diseases, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, or congestive heart failure.

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen, which can occur in conditions such as liver disease, infection, or hematologic disorders.

Ileus

A temporary and often painful lack of movement in the intestines that can cause bowel obstruction without any physical blockage.

Hernia

The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening, often occurring in the abdominal wall.

Colostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) from the colon to the surface of the abdomen to divert stool through the stoma instead of through the rectum.

Diverticulosis

The presence of small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract, particularly the colon.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

A chronic functional GI disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits without detectable organic disease.

Crohn's Disease

A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the GI tract, causing inflammation, ulcers, and other complications.

Ulcerative Colitis

A chronic inflammatory condition limited to the colon and rectum, characterized by ulcers and continuous inflammation of the colon lining.

Fistula

An abnormal connection or passageway between two organs or vessels that do not usually connect, often seen in Crohn's disease.

Toxic Megacolon

A potentially life-threatening complication of severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) where the colon rapidly dilates and becomes at risk of perforation.

Stricture

The narrowing of a section of the intestine due to chronic inflammation, leading to bowel obstruction, commonly associated with Crohn's disease.

Hematuria

The presence of blood in the urine, which can be a sign of urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney stones, or other urinary system disorders.

Pyuria

The presence of pus or white blood cells in the urine, often indicating an infection in the urinary tract.

Azotemia

An elevated level of nitrogenous waste products (like urea and creatinine) in the blood, often indicating impaired kidney function.

Oliguria

The production of abnormally small amounts of urine, which can be indicative of renal dysfunction or severe dehydration.

Proteinuria

The presence of abnormal amounts of protein in the urine, often a sign of kidney disease.

GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate)

A test that measures the level of kidney function and determines the stage of kidney disease.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder, commonly caused by a bacterial infection, leading to urinary frequency, urgency, and dysuria.

Pyelonephritis

A type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that involves the kidneys, often resulting in fever, back pain, and nausea.

Urolithiasis

The formation of stones (calculi) in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, or ureters.

Urinary Incontinence

The involuntary leakage of urine, which can result from a variety of causes, including weakened pelvic muscles or neurological conditions.

Hydronephrosis

Swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine, often caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can lead to urinary difficulties in older men.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland, which can cause pain, difficulty urinating, and other urinary symptoms.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance, often due to physical or psychological factors.

Hydrocele

A fluid-filled sac surrounding a testicle that causes swelling in the scrotum, often occurring in infants but also in adult men.

Testicular Torsion

A medical emergency where the spermatic cord twists, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle, leading to severe pain and potential loss of the testicle if not treated promptly.

Varicocele

An enlargement of the veins within the scrotum, similar to varicose veins, which can cause discomfort and affect fertility

Peritoneal Cavity

The space between the parietal peritoneum (the membrane that lines the abdominal wall) and the visceral peritoneum (the membrane that covers the abdominal organs).

Stoma

A surgically created opening in the abdominal wall through which waste or drainage can exit the body.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination.

Calculi

An abnormal concretion usually composed of mineral salts. Also known as stones.

Spermatic Cord

The cord-like structure in males formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring down into the scrotum.

Scrotum

A pouch of skin containing the testicles.

Ureters

The tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.