Chapter 9: The Digestive System Medical Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on medical roots, terms, conditions, procedures, and pharmacology associated with the digestive system.

Aliment-

Root element meaning nourishment or food.

Bari-

Root element meaning weight.

Laparo-

Root element meaning abdomen.

Mastication

The act of chewing.

Deglutition

The act of swallowing.

Peristalsis

Constricting wavelike movements that move food along the digestive tract.

Parotid

Salivary gland located beside the ear.

Hiatus

An opening through a structure.

Sphincter

A muscle around an opening.

Hydrochloric Acid

An acid secreted by stomach cells, represented as $HCl$.

Chyle

Fluid that is a result of fat digestion and absorption in the small intestine.

Emulsify

To break up into smaller particles.

Lacteal

Lymphatic vessel carrying chyle away from the intestine.

Bilirubin

Pigment formed in the liver from hemoglobin.

Reflux

Backward flow.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

Varix

A dilated, tortuous vein.

Asymptomatic

Without symptoms.

Emesis

Vomiting.

Anorexia

No appetite.

Stricture

Narrowing of a tube.

Dyspepsia

Upset stomach.

Crohn disease

An inflammatory disease of the digestive tract, also known as regional enteritis.

Adenocarcinoma

Cancer arising from glandular epithelial cells.

Dysentery

Disease with diarrhea, bowel spasms, fever, and dehydration.

Hematemesis

Vomiting of red blood or 'coffee ground' emesis.

Hematochezia

Passage of red, bloody stools.

Melena

Passage of black, tarry stools.

Occult blood

Hidden blood.

Intussusception

Telescoping bowel.

Volvulus

Intestinal twisting.

Proctitis

Rectal inflammation.

Diverticulum

Pouchlike opening.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

Choledocholithiasis

Condition of gallstones in the bile duct.

Enema

Instillation of fluid into the rectum and large intestine.

Stoma

Artificial opening.

Hernia

Protrusion of a structure through the tissue that normally contains it (cele).

Antiemetic

Agent that prevents vomiting.

Cachexia

Weight loss with wasting of the body.

Antimuscarinic

Drug that blocks acetylcholine receptors to reduce involuntary contractions.

Cannabinoid

Drug that increases appetite and treats nausea and vomiting.