Digestive System: Medical Terms

anal fissure

tear or crack in the lining of the anus

anus

opening through which feces passes

appendectomy (append/ectomy)

surgical removal of the appendix

appendicitis (appendic/itis)

inflammation of the appendix

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen

bile

yellowish-green liquid made by the liver that transports wastes into the feces and assists with fat digestion

bowel sounds

normal or abnormal sounds of the large intestine that can be heard with a stethoscope

cachexia

weakness and excessive thinness, as with cancer

cecum

first region of the large intestine

cholecystectomy (cholecyst/ectomy)

removal of the gallbladder

cholecystitis (cholecyst/itis)

inflammation of the gallbladder

cholelithiasis (chole/lith/iasis)

presence of gallstones (bilestones) in the gallbladder

cirrhosis

progressive scarring of the liver

colectomy (col/ectomy)

surgical removal of part of the colon

colonoscopy (colono/scopy)

visualization of the colon using an endoscope

colostomy (colo/stomy)

surgical creation of an opening between the ileum of the colon and the abdominal wall

common bile duct

structure that carries carries bile and pancreatic enzymes to the duodenum

constipation

infrequent passage of stool/feces, which is hard and dry

diarrhea

frequent passage of stool/feces, which is watery

digestion

breakdown of food and fluids into building block chemicals

diverticulitis

inflammation of pouches (diverticula) bulging from the large intestine wall

diverticulosis

abnormal presence of pouches (diverticula) bulging from the large intestine

duodenum

first region of the small intestine that food enters

dysphagia (dys/phag/ia)

difficult or painful swallowing

emesis

vomiting

endoscope

instrument used to visualize the inside of the body

endoscopy

process of visualizing the inside of the body

esophagitis (esophag/itis)

inflammation of the lining of the esophagus

esophagus

tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach

fecal incontinence

inability to control expulsion of feces

flatulance

intestinal gas

gallbladder

sac that stores bile

gastritis (gastr/itis)

inflammation of the stomach

gastroenteritis (gastro/enter/itis)

inflammation of the stomach and intestine

gastroesophageal (gastro/esophage/al) reflux

backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus

gastrointestinal tract, GI tract

continuous tube comprising the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum and anus

glossitis

inflammation of the tongue

guarding

moving away or flinching when a tender area of the abdomen is touched

heartburn

burning sensation in the esophagus due to reflux of stomach acid

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hemorrhoids

enlarged veins of the rectum and/or anus

hepatitis (hepat/itis)

inflammation of the liver

hepatomegaly (hepato/megaly)

enlarged liver

hiatal hernia

protrusion of the stomach into the thorax through an opening in the diaphragm

ileostomy (ileo/stomy)

surgical creation of an opening between the ileum of the small intestine and the abdominal wall

ileum

last portion of the small intestine

inguinal hernia

protrusion of the intestine through the abdominal wall at the groin area

irritable bowel syndrome

alternation between diarrhea and constipation

jejunum

middle portion of the small intestine

lactose intolerance

inability to digest milk sugar (lactose)

melena

black, tarry stools/feces, indicating upper GI bleeding

nausea

unpleasant feeling that typically comes before vomiting

palate

roof of the mouth

pancreas

organ that makes hormones and digestive enzymes

pancreatitis (pancreat/itis)

inflammation of the pancreas

peristalsis

involuntary muscle contractions that push food along the GI tract

rectum

last region of the large intestine

regurgitation

backflow of food or drinks into the mouth, without vomiting

salivary glands

glands that make saliva

steatorrhea (steato/rrhea)

excessive fat in the stool/feces

steatosis (steat/osis)

accumulation of fat in the liver; fatty liver disease

stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth

ultrasonography, sonography

use of ultrasound waves to evaluate internal structures

gastroenterology

medical specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the digestive system

gastroenterologist

physician (specialist) specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the digestive system

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

feces, stool

waste material eliminated from the rectum; "poop"