Diseases of the Digestive System

-al

pertaining to

a-

without or not

abdomin/o

abdomen

Abdominal computed tomography (CT)

radiographic procedure that produces a detailed crosssection of the tissue structure within the abdomen

abdominal ultrasound

noninvasive test used to visualize internal organs by using very high-frequency sound waves

abdominocentesis (paracentesis)

involves insertion of a needle or trochar into the abdominal cavity to remove excess fluid, with the person in a sitting position

Achalasia

Decreased mobility of the lower two-thirds of the esophagus along with constriction of the lower esophageal sphincter

achlorhydria

an abnormal condition characterized by the absence of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (trench mouth)

abnormal growth of bacteria in the mouth. As this condition progresses, the inflammation, bleeding, deep ulceration, and the death of gum tissue become more severe

aer/o

air

Aerophagia

the excessive swallowing of air while eating or drinking, and is a common cause of gas in the stomach

alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

hepatocellular enzyme released in elevated amounts due to liver dysfunction; also known as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase

alkaline phosphatase (ALP)

enzyme is found in the highest concentrations in the liver, biliary tract, and bone

an/o

anus

anal fissure

small crack-like sore in the skin of the anus that can cause severe pain during a bowel movement

Anal Fistula

abnormal tube-like passage from the surface around the anal opening directly into the rectum; An abnormal passageway in the skin surface near the anus usually connecting with the rectum

anastomosis

surgical connection between two hollow, or tubular, structures

anorexia

loss of appetite for food

Anorexia nervosa

characterized by a distorted body image, with an unwarranted fear of being overweight. Symptoms include trying to maintain a below-normal weight through starvation or too much exercise

anoscopy

the visual examination of the anal canal and lower rectum

Antacids

neutralize the acids in the stomach

anti-

against

antiemetic

medication that is administered to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting

aphagia

Inability to swallow; a condition characterized by the loss of the ability to swallow as a result of organic or psychologic causes

appendic/o

appendix

Appendectomy

Removal of the appendix

Appendicitis

inflammation of the vermiform appendix

aphthous stomatitis

Small inflammatory noninfectious ulcerated lesions occurring on the lips, tongue, and inside the cheeks of the mouth; also called canker sores

Aphthous ulcers

gray-white pits with a red border in the soft tissues lining the mouth; painful ulcers in the mouth of unknown origin; commonly called canker sores

ascites

accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The fluid contains large amounts of protein and electrolytes; accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Results from severe liver disease

Bariatric surgery

performed to treat morbid obesity by restricting the amount of food that can enter the stomach and be digested

barium swallow (upper GI series)

oral radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, which flows person swallows

Barrett's esophagus

cells in the epithelial tissue of the esophagus are damaged by chronic acid exposure

Bitewing X-ray

X-ray taken with part of the film holder positioned between and parallel to the teeth

BMI

Body Mass Index

body mass index (BMI)

measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women

borborygmus

abdominal sound produced by hyperactive intestinal peristalsis. They sound like rumbling, gurgling, and tinkling noises heard when listening with a stethoscope

Bowel incontinence

inability to control the excretion of feces; inability to control defecation

Bruxism

involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth

Bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications

Cachexia or wasting syndrome

A general state of ill health involving marked weight loss and muscle loss

capsule endoscopy

the use of a tiny video camera in a capsule that the patient swallows

Celiac disease

an inherited autoimmune disorder, also known as gluten intolerance; autoimmune condition affecting the small intestine; caused by reaction to eating gluten; symptoms include bloating, pain, diarrhea, and nutritional deficiencies

-centesis

surgical puncture

cheil

lips

cheil/o

lip

Cheiloplasty

Surgically correcting a defect of the lip

Cheilosis, cheilitis

disorder of the lips characterized by crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth

chlor/o

green

cholang

bile duct

cholangi/o

bile duct

Cholangiography

radiographic examination of the bile ducts with the use of a contrast medium

Cholangitis

acute inflammation of the bile duct characterized by pain in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice

chole

bile or gall

chol/e

bile

cholecyst

gallbladder

chole-

gallbladder

cholecystectomy

surgical removal of the gallbladder

Cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder, usually associated with gallstones; most commonly caused by gallstones

cholecystography (oral)

visualization of the gallbladder through X-ray following the oral ingestion of pills containing a radiopaque iodinated dye

Cholecystogram

X-ray image of the gallbladder

choledoch/o

common bile duct

choledocholithotomy

an incision into the common bile duct for the removal of a gallstone

Cholelithiasis

presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts; may or may not cause symptoms

cirrh

yellow or orange

Cirrhosis

chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by scarring; chronic liver disease; associated with failure of the liver to function properly (yellow)

Cleft lip or harelip

birth defect in which there is a deep groove of the lip running upward to the nose as a result of the failure of this portion of the lip to close during prenatal development; congenital anomaly in which the upper lip and jawbone fail to fuse in the midline, leaving a gap

Cleft palate

failure of the palate to close during the early development of the fetus. This opening can involve the upper lip, hard palate, and/or soft palate; congenital anomaly in which the roof of the mouth has a split or fissure

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

a germ (bacterium) that causes diarrhea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon)

col/o

colon

col

colon

colectomy

surgical removal of all or part of the colon

Colonoscope

instrument used to view inside the colon

Colonoscopy

direct visual examination of the inner surface of the entire colon from the rectum to the cecum; process of visually examining the colon by passing a colonoscope through the anus and rectum

Colorectal carcinoma or colon cancer

first manifests itself in polyps in the colon; cancerous tumor originating in the colon or rectum

colostomy

surgical creation of an artificial excretory opening between the colon and the body surface

colotomy

surgical incision into the colon

constipation

difficulty in passing stools or infrequent passage of hard stools

Crohn's disease (CD)

chronic autoimmune disorder that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract most often found in the ileum and in the colon; form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the ileum and/or colon; affects all layers of the bowel wall, resulting in scarring and thickening; aka regional ileitis

cyst

bladder

cyst/o

bladder, sac or cyst

de-

removal

Dehydration

condition in which fluid loss exceeds fluid intake and disrupts the body's normal electrolyte balance

Dental calculus or tartar

dental plaque that has calcified (hardened) on the teeth

Dental caries or tooth decay or cavity

infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroy the enamel and dentin of the tooth; decay and disintegration of teeth caused by bacteria; tooth cavity

Dental plaque

Build up of bacteria and bacterial by-products

dental prophylaxis

the professional cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus

di/a

through

diarrhea

frequent passage of loose, watery stools

diverticul

diverticulum

diverticulectomy

surgical removal of a diverticulum

Diverticulitis

which sometimes develops as a result of diverticulosis, is the inflammation or infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon; inflammation of a diverticulum, or outpouching of the gut; often results from food being trapped inside

Diverticulosis

the chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the colon; condition of having diverticula; may lead to diverticulitis

diverticulum or diverticula

small pouch, or sac, found in the lining or wall of a tubular organ such as the colon

duoden/o

duodenum

duoden

first part of the small intestine

Duodenal ulcers

peptic ulcers that occur in the upper part of the small intestine

dys-

bad, difficult, painful, disordered

dyspepsia

A vague feeling of epigastric discomfort after eating involves an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, heartburn, bloating and nausea

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing, commonly associated with obstructive or motor disorders of the esophagus