Chapt 15 WB

absorption

the transfer of nutrients from the intestines to the cells.

anatomy

the study of body structure.

biology

the study of all life forms.

body systems

groups of organs that perform specific functions in the human body.

bowel elimination

the physical process of releasing or emptying the colon or large intestine of solid waste, called stool or feces.

cells

the basic structural units of all organisms.

chyme

semi-liquid substance made as a result of the chemical breakdown of food in the stomach.

colon

the large intestine.

colostomy

surgically-created opening through the abdominal wall into the large intestine to allow feces to be expelled.

constipation

the inability to eliminate stool, or the infrequent, difficult, and often painful elimination of hard, dry stool.

Crohn's disease

a disease that causes the lining of the digestive tract to become inflamed (red, sore,and swollen).

defecation

the process of eliminating feces from the rectum through the anus.

diarrhea

frequent elimination of liquid or semi-liquid feces.

digestion

the process of converting food so that it can be absorbed into the blood and used by body tissues.

diverticulitis

inflammation of sacs that develop in the wall of the large intestine due to diverticulosis.

diverticulosis

a disorder in which sac-like pouchings develop in weakened areas of the wall of the large intestine (colon).

duodenum

the first part of the small intestine, where the common bile duct enters the small intestine.

elimination

the process of expelling wastes.

enema

a specific amount of water, with or without an additive, introduced into the colon to stimulate the elimination of stool.

fecal impaction

a mass of dry, hard stool that remains packed in the rectum and cannot be expelled.

fecal incontinence

an inability to control the muscles of the bowels, which leads to an involuntary passage of stool or gas.

feces

solid body waste excreted through the anus from the large intestine; also called stool.

physiology

the study of how body parts function. portable

Commode

A chair with a toilet seat and a removable container underneath that is used for elimination; also called bedside commode.

Electrolytes

chemical substances that are essential to maintaining fluid balance and homeostasis in the body.

flatulence

air in the intestine that is passed through the rectum; also called gas or flatus.

fracture pan

a bedpan that is flatter than a regular bedpan; used for small or thin people or those who cannot lift their buttocks onto a standard bedpan.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

a chronic condition in which the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus.

gastrointestinal tract

a continuous tube from the opening of the mouth all the way to the anus, where solid wastes are eliminated from the body.

heartburn

a condition that results from a weakening of the sphincter muscle that joins the esophagus and the stomach; also known as acid reflux.

hemorrhoids

enlarged veins in the rectum that can cause itching, burning, pain, and bleeding.

homeostasis

the condition in which all of the body's systems are balanced and are working at their best.

ileostomy

surgically-created opening into the end of the small intestine, the ileum, to allow feces to be expelled.

ingestion

the process of taking food or fluids into the body.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

a chronic condition of the large intestine that is worsened by stress.

malabsorption

a condition in which the body cannot absorb or digest a particular nutrient properly.

occult

hidden.

organ

a structural unit in the human body that performs a specific function.

ostomy

surgical creation of an opening from an area inside the body to the outside.

pathophysiology

the study of the disorders that occur in the body.

peristalsis

muscular contractions that push food through the gastrointestinal tract.

specimen

a sample, such as tissue, blood, urine, stool, or sputum, used for analysis and diagnosis.

stoma

an artificial opening in the body.

stool

solid body waste excreted through the anus from the large intestine; also called feces.

suppository

a medication given rectally to cause a bowel movement.

tissues

a group of cells that performs similar tasks.

ulcerative colitis

a chronic inflammatory disease of the large intestine.

ureterostomy

a type of urostomy in which a surgical creation of an opening from the ureter through the abdomen is made for urine to be eliminated.

urostomy

any surgical procedure that diverts the passage of urine by redirecting the ureters.