Chapter 6: Digestive System Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, definitions, combining forms, suffixes, prefixes, medical conditions, procedures, and abbreviations related to the digestive system, based on Chapters 6 lecture notes.

Papillae

Surface elevations of the tongue that perceive taste.

Bile

Produced in the liver.

Dentin

Structure that lies beneath the hard enamel surface of the tooth.

Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas

Organs that play a vital role in digestion.

Liver function

Maintain glucose levels in the blood.

Cecum

Section of the large intestine associated with the appendix.

Hepatic flexure

Section of the large intestine associated with the liver.

Pharynx

Structure that has respiratory and digestive functions.

Cardiac sphincter

Also known as the lower esophageal sphincter.

Villi

Fingerlike projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

Pancreas

An accessory organ of digestion.

Peristalsis

Progressive, wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in hollow tubes of the body.

Rugae

Mucosal folds in the stomach wall.

Prothrombin

A blood protein produced by the liver.

Common bile duct

Releases bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum for digestion.

Proct/o

Combining form meaning anus, rectum.

Cholecyst/o

Combining form meaning gallbladder.

Choledoch/o

Combining form meaning bile duct.

Col/o and Colon/o

Combining forms meaning colon.

Or/o and Stomat/o

Combining forms meaning mouth.

Odont/o

Combining form meaning teeth.

Cholangi/o

Combining form meaning bile vessel.

Chol/e

Combining form meaning bile, gall.

-emesis

Suffix meaning vomiting.

-prandial

Suffix meaning meal.

-pepsia

Suffix meaning digestion.

-orexia

Suffix meaning appetite.

-rrhea

Suffix meaning discharge, flow.

Dia-

Prefix meaning through, across.

Peri-

Prefix meaning around.

Congenital hernia

A hernia present at birth.

Strangulated hernia

A hernia where the blood supply to the herniated structure is cut off.

Perforated ulcer

An ulcer that produces a hole in the stomach wall.

Cachexia

General lack of nutrition and wasting occurring in the course of a chronic disease.

Halitosis

Foul-smelling breath.

Eupepsia

Normal digestion.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Also known as spastic colon.

Dysphagia

Difficult or painful swallowing.

Intussusception

Telescoping of the intestine.

Visceroptosis

Downward displacement of internal organs.

Hernia

Protrusion of an organ through the wall that normally contains it.

Volvulus

A life-threatening obstruction in which the bowel twists on itself.

Peptic ulcer

Also known as a gastric ulcer.

Anorexia

Loss of appetite.

Ascites

An accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity.

Choledocholithiasis

A condition of stones in the common bile duct.

Crohn disease

Chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.

Melena

Black, tarry stool.

Jaundice

Caused by excessive levels of bilirubin.

Rectostenosis

Stricture or narrowing of the rectum.

Regional enteritis

Another term for Crohn disease, a bowel disorder.

Hematemesis

Vomiting blood.

Hepatitis B

A disease transmitted by infected blood.

Cheilitis

Inflammation of the lips.

Proctorrhaphy

Suture of the rectum.

Anastomosis

Surgical connection of two tubular structures.

Bariatric surgery

A group of procedures used to treat morbid obesity.

Jejunorrhaphy

Suture of the second portion of the small intestine.

Liver disease

Condition where serum bilirubin is elevated.

Colonoscope

Instrument used to perform a lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy.

Upper GI tract endoscopy

Used to diagnose structural abnormalities of the esophagus.

Ultrasonography

Imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

Flexible, fiberoptic scope

Instrument used to perform a gastroscopy.

Cholecystography

Procedure that takes radiographic images of the gallbladder after administration of a contrast medium.

Enterologist

A specialist who treats diseases of the intestinal tract.

Cholangiography

Imaging technique that uses a contrast medium to reveal gallstones or another obstruction in the bile ducts.

Stool culture

Test that identifies microorganisms or parasites present in feces.

Gastroplasty

A type of surgery to treat obesity.

Stool guaiac

Test that detects the presence of occult (hidden) blood in feces.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

Hepatitis panel

Blood test used to confirm the specific virus causing hepatitis.

Lower GI endoscopy

Endoscopic procedure used to determine the presence of polyps in the colon.

Hernioplasty

Surgical procedure associated with congenital and strangulated hernias.

Periodontist

Physician who specializes in treatment of the gums.

Gastroenterology

Medical specialty concerned with digestive disorders.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

Noninvasive procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the biliary ducts.

Antacids

Medications like Rolaids and Tums that reduce stomach acid.

GI

Abbreviation meaning pertaining to the stomach and intestine.

Metamucil

Used to treat constipation.

Antiemetics

Medications prescribed to control nausea and vomiting.

NG (Nasogastric) tube

Route of nutrition or medication administered through a tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach.

Antispasmodics

Medications that help treat irritable bowel syndrome.

Antacid

Medication administered to control heartburn and acid reflux.

UGIS (Upper Gastrointestinal Series)

Abbreviation for a series of radiographic images of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.

MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography)

An MRI that visualizes the biliary and pancreatic ducts and gallbladder.

LFT (Liver Function Test)

Blood test that evaluates liver injury and function.