key terms

acute appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

adenocarcinoma

cancer originating in glandular tissue

appendicolith

a dense, calcified stone within the appendix

bezoars

masses of various ingested materials that may cause an intestinal obstruction

cervix sign

a sonographic sign associated with pyloric stenosis in the long axis

cinnamon-bun sign

a sonographic sign associated with the appearance of intussusception

compression sonography

operator-applied transducer pressure on a structure during a sonographic examination

Crohn disease

an autoimmune disease characterized by periods of inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract

direct groin hernia

• acquired inguinal hernia

• result from the weakening of the transversalis fascia

diverticulitis

the inflammation of a diverticulum or multiple diverticuli within the digestive tract, most often in the sigmoid colon

diverticulosis

the development of small outpouchings termed diverticuli in the digestive tract, most often in the sigmoid colon

doughnut sign

a sonographic sign associated with pyloric stenosis in the short axis

duodenal bulb

the proximal portion of the duodenum closest to the stomach

endometriosis

functional endometrial tissue located outside the uterus

fecalith

a stone that consists of feces

gastroesophageal junction

the junction between the stomach and the esophagus

gastroesophageal reflux

an abnormality in which fluid is allowed to reflux out of the stomach back into the esophagus

hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

a defect in the relaxation of the pyloric sphincter that leads to the enlargement of the pyloric muscles and closure of the pyloric sphincter

indirect groin hernia

occurs when the abdominal contents protrude through the deep inguinal ring, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels and anterior to the spermatic or round ligament

inflammatory bowel disease

chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract; used as an umbrella term for both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis

intussusception

the telescoping of one segment of bowel into another; most often the proximal segment of the bowel inserts into the distal segment

intussusceptum

the proximal segment of the bowel with intussusception

intussuscipiens

the distal segment of the bowel with intussusception

invaginate

to insert

keyboard sign

sign of small bowel obstruction representing the plicae circulares surrounded by fluid within distended loops of bowel

lactobezoar

a bezoar that consists of powdered milk

McBurney point

a point halfway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the umbilicus; the area of pain and rebound tenderness in patients suffering from acute appendicitis

mechanical obstruction

a situation in which bowel is physically blocked by something

Meckel diverticulum

a common congenital outpouching of the wall of the small intestine

midgut malrotation

abnormal rotation of the bowel that leads to a proximal small bowel obstruction

nonbilious

not containing bile

nonmechanical obstruction/paralytic ileus

a situation in which bowel is blocked because of the lack of normal peristalsis of a bowel segment or segments

olive sign

• when the pyloric sphincter muscle is enlarged and palpable on physical examination of the abdomen

• often indicative of pyloric stenosis

perienteric fat

fat around the intestines

plicase circulares

the mucus membrane folds within the inner wall of the small bowel

phytobezoars

a bezoar that consists of vegetable matter

pseudomyxoma peritonei

an intraperitoneal extension of mucin-secreting cells that result from the rupture of a malignant mucinous ovarian tumor or possibly a malignant tumor of the appendix

pylorospasm

a temporary spasm and thickening of the pyloric sphincter that can replicate the sonographic appearance of pyloric stenosis

rebound tenderness

• pain encountered after the removal of pressure

• a common clinical finding in patients suffering from acute appendicitis

red currant jelly stool

• feces that contains a mixture of mucus and blood

• a common clinical finding in patients suffering from intussusception

Rovsing sign

• pain elicited in the right lower quadrant after the left lower quadrant has been palpated

• associated with appendicitis

thyroid in the belly sign

the sonographic appearance of the hyperechoic edematous connective tissue that surrounds the inflamed appendix

trichobezoars

a bezoar that consists of matted hair

vermiform appendix

a blind-ended tube that is connected to the cecum of the colon

volvulus

a situation in which a loop of bowel twists upon itself