Medical Terminology Chp 3: Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Medical specialty focused on the anatomy and physiology of the Gastrointestinal (GI) system

Definition and Function of GI system

Begins at the mouth and ends at the anus, with the alimentary canal being where digestion occurs (Aliment is the term for nourishment). It performs food digestion, nutrient absorption, and the removal of waste from the body.

Mechanical Digestion

Breaking up food with physical force and movement. Three main forms:

1. Mastication: tearing, chewing, and grinding of food by the teeth

2. Deglutition; swallowing of food

3. Peristalsis: Movement of food via muscular contraction

Anorexia

Decreased appetite due to disease or GI side effects of certain drugs

Dysphagia

Difficult or painful swallowing and eating. Can be caused by tumors of the esophagus and in SLP work is diagnosed through a medical charcuterie board and/or a barium swallow

Polyphagia

Excessive overeating due to overactive thyroid, psychiatric illness, Diabetes mellitus (DM), or other underlying conditions

Glossitis

Inflammation or infection of the tongue. Can be caused by antibiotic ingestion or bacterial infection of the mouth

Sialolithiasis

A stone (sialolith) in a salivary gland

Stomatitis

Inflammation of the oral mucosa

Dyspepsia

Epigastric pain such as indigestion. Can be caused by excessive stomach acid, fatty or spicy foods, or GERD

Esophageal Varices

Swollen, protruding vein in the esophageal mucosa. Bleeding can occur with food irritation. Leads to hematemesis

Nausea & Vomiting (N&V)

An Unpleasant, queasy feeling in the stomach. Expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth can follow. Can be caused by stomach irritation or inner ear signals. Combining form -emesis means this

Hematemesis

Blood in the vomit or vomiting blood. Coffee ground consistency contains old, dark blood that has been partially digested

Gastritis

Acute or Chronic inflammation/infection of the stomach. Can be caused by spicy food, alcohol, bacterial or viral infections, or excessive stomach acid.

Gastroenteritis

Acute inflammation or infection of the stomach and intestines. Can be caused by a bacteria or virus

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Chronic irritation due to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Caused by failure of the esophageal sphincter to close, which can lead to conditions such as ulcers or cancer of the esophagus

Pyrosis

Commonly known as Hear burn. Temporary Irritation of the esophagus due to stomach acid reflux

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Chronic Irritation, burning pain, and erosion of mucosa due to an ulcer in the stomach, esophagus, or duodenum. Usually caused by H. Pylori, but can also be caused by HCl acid, stress, and drugs

Adenocarcinoma of the stomach (Stomach Cancer)

Starts in the glands that line the organ it is found in. Begins in gastric mucosal glands, often caused by H. pylori

Ileus

Not the same as Ileum. The Absence of normal peristalsis. Can be caused by mechanical obstruction, infection, postoperative, or trauma. the word means to roll. Also known as colic

Intussusception

The telescoping of one intestinal segment within another. Can lead to lack of blood flow to the segment, leading to necrosis of the tissue if untreated

Volvulus

The twisting or rotation of the small intestine around itself. Malrotation. Often caused by abdominal adhesion and/or weakening of the mesentery. Causes lack of blood flow to intestinal segments

Celiac Disease

Autoimmune disorder where parts of the small intestine’s villi are damaged due to the body’s toxic reaction to gluten. Also known as Gluten Sensitivity Enteropathy

Appendicitis

Inflammation and/or infection of the Vermiform appendix (at the start of the Large intestine) due to waste materials being trapped inside of it

Colon Cancer

Occurs when colonic polyps or ulcerative colitis becomes cancerous

Diverticulum

Weakness in the colon wall that forms a pouch.

Diverticulitis

Inflammation due to feces getting trapped in a diverticulum. Often caused by a low fiber diet.

Polyposis

A condition of numerous polyps (fleshy benign growths) in the mucosa of the large intestine

Inflammatory Bowel Disease(s)

Chronic inflammation of parts of the small and large intestine. Symptoms/signs include Diarrhea, Cramping, bloody stool

Types:

Crohn disease: affects ileum and colon

Ulcerative colitis: Affects colon & rectum. As the name suggests, can cause ulcers

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Cramping, pain, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and excessive mucus production without inflammation. Occurs in the colon. Suggested causes include Lactose intolerance and stress

Hemorrhoids

Swollen, protruding veins in the anus/rectum. Can be caused by straining due to constipation or increased abdominal pressure related to pregnancy. Can become irritated and bleed during defecation.

Proctitis

Inflammation of rectum due to radiation treatments for cancer, ulcers, or infection

Rectocele

the combining form of -cele means hernia. Hernia in the wall of the rectum that protrudes into the vaginal wall. Can only happen in women

Constipation

Failure to have regular bowel movements. Can be caused by a lack of dietary fiber, exercise, or due to the effect of certain drugs

Diarrhea

Abnormally frequent, loose, and watery feces. Involves increased peristalsis that moves the feces through the large intestine before water is absorbed

Flatulence

Excise amount of gas in the stomach or intestines; has many dietary causes

Hematochezia

Blood in the feces. Bright red feces means a lower GI bleed. Melena feces (dark sticky stool due to partially digested blood) indicates an esophagus or stomach bleed

Steatorrhea

Feces that contains undigested fat due to a lack of the enzyme lipase

Hernia(s)

Latin for rupture. Named according to location

Hiatal hernia: Bulging of stomach through the diaphragm

Inguinal hernia: Occurs in the groin

Peritonitis

Serious infection of the peritoneum that occurs when the stomach or duodenal wall breaks or the appendix ruptures. Contents of the stomach or appendix spill into the abdominal cavity. Surgery is necessary to clean out the abdominal cavity.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis virus. Most common type of chronic liver disease

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver due to numerous causes such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer. Enlargement is palpable on physical exam

Ascites

Fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity due to pressure in abdominal veins pushing fluid into the abdominopelvic cavity

Cirrhosis

Progressive inflammation and irreversible degeneration of the liver. Can be caused by viral hepatitis, alcoholism, or chronic obstruction of the bile duct. Can cause jaundice in skin and sclera

Hepatoma

Secondary cancer that metastasized to the liver

Cholangiocarcinoma

Cancer of the ducts of the gallbladder

Cholangitis

Inflammation of the bile ducts due to cirrhosis or gallstones

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder due to the blockage of cystic duct due to gallstones

Cholelithiasis

The formation of gallstones in the gallbladder

Choledocholithiasis

Gallstones in the common bile duct

Adenocarcinoma (Pancreatic cancer)

Most common in the ducts of the pancreas. Has the shortest life expectancy due to mostly being found in the late stages of progression

Pancreatitis

Inflammation or infection of the pancreas. Causes include alcoholism, blockage of ducts, bacterial or viral infection. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Blood test for liver function. Most common are:

Albumin: protein of the blood. Low levels indicate liver disease

Bilirubin: Involved in fat metabolism. High levels are indicative of liver disease or gallstones

Fecal occult blood test

Fecal test to determine whether non-visible blood is present in feces.

Culture and Sensitivity (C&S)

Fecal test for bacterial colonies to be identified and testing antibiotics on the culture

Ova and Parasites (O&P)

Fecal test to determine whether parasites are in the GI system by checking for worms and their eggs in the sample

Gastric Analysis

Nasogastric tube collects hydrochloric acid in the stomach for analysis