The Digestive System: Basic Glossary for Healthcare Interpreters

This collection of flashcards provides definitions and Spanish equivalents for key terms and word parts related to the digestive system, designed for healthcare interpreters.

Adhesion

The formation of scar tissue between organs and abdominal tissues, which causes them to fuse together (Spanish: Adherencia).

Anastomosis

Connecting two parts of the intestine, or other tubes or channels, after the removal of a piece of one of the structures (Spanish: Anastomosis).

Aphagia

The inability to swallow; also, a refusal to swallow foods or liquids (Spanish: Afagia).

Appendectomy

The surgical removal of the appendix; also known as appendicectomy (Spanish: Apendicectomía).

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix, which is usually accompanied by severe pain (Spanish: Apendicitis).

Ascites

Buildup of fluid in the cavity that surrounds the abdominal organs, leading to swelling (Spanish: Ascitis).

Atresia

A condition where a tubular body part, such as the esophagus or intestine, lacks a normal opening or is unable to allow material to pass through (Spanish: Atresia).

Barium enema

An X-ray exam of the abdominal cavity after the injection of barium contrast dye into the rectum; used to look for abnormalities in the large intestine. Also known as enema opaco (Spanish: Enema de bario).

Bile

Also known as gall, this is a dark green fluid made by the liver that helps with digestion; composed of water, bile salts, bilirubin, and cholesterol (Spanish: Bilis).

Bilirubin

A brownish yellow substance that forms during the normal breakdown of red blood cells, carried in plasma to the liver where it is excreted in the bile (Spanish: Bilirrubina).

Cholecystectomy

A surgical operation to remove the gallbladder, the organ located just under the liver (Spanish: Colecistectomía).

Cholelithiasis

The formation or presence of gallstones, which may block the bile duct and increase infection risk (Spanish: Colelitiasis).

Cirrhosis

A condition where healthy liver cells are replaced by scar tissue, impairing functionality; typically caused by hepatitis or chronic alcoholism (Spanish: Cirrosis).

Colon

Commonly known as the large intestine, composed of four parts: ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon (Spanish: Colon).

Colonoscopy

A noninvasive procedure involving insertion of a tube with a camera into the rectum to look for abnormalities in the large intestine (Spanish: Colonoscopia).

Colostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdominal wall to divert a piece of healthy colon (Spanish: Colostomía).

Crohn’s disease

A form of inflammatory bowel disease marked by digestive tract inflammation, severe pain, fatigue, diarrhea, malnutrition, and weight loss (Spanish: Enfermedad de Crohn).

Diverticulosis

A condition marked by multiple small pouches (diverticula) in the intestine, without inflammation (Spanish: Diverticulosis).

Diverticulum

A pouch or sac formed on the wall of the digestive tract at a weak point of tissue (Spanish: Divertículo).

Duodenum

The first and shortest part of the small intestine, which receives digested food from the stomach (Spanish: Duodeno).

Dyspepsia

Another word for indigestion, which is difficult or painful digestion leading to heartburn, reflux, vomiting, or bloating (Spanish: Dispepsia).

Dysphagia

Swallowing discomfort or difficulty, usually a symptom of another disease (Spanish: Disfagia).

Emesis

Vomiting (Spanish: Vómito).

Endoscopy

A procedure to look inside the body or organ using a surgical instrument called an endoscope (Spanish: Endoscopía).

Esophagus

The tube used for swallowing, connecting the throat to the stomach (Spanish: Esófago).

Esophageal

Relating to the esophagus, such as in esophageal cancer or esophageal atresia (Spanish: Esofágico).

Excise

To cut out or remove completely. Common translations include extraer, extirpar, sacar, or quitar (Spanish: Extraer).

Gallbladder

A pear-shaped hollow organ that receives, stores, and releases bile into the small intestine to aid fat digestion (Spanish: Vesícula biliar).

Gallstones

Stones formed by digestive fluids that settle in the gallbladder (Spanish: Cálculos biliares).

Gingivitis

Swelling or inflammation in the gums (Spanish: Gingivitis).

Heartburn

A burning sensation in the chest caused by acid regurgitation; also known as acidez estomacal, ardor de estómago, acidez gástrica, dispepsia, or pirosis (Spanish: Agruras).

Hemorrhoid

A swollen sac in the rectum or anus area resulting from vein swelling (Spanish: Hemorroide).

Hernia

A condition where an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue (Spanish: Hernia).

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, occurring in many types with various symptoms and causes (Spanish: Hepatitis).

IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome; a chronic condition causing pain, gas, and bloating without changing digestive tract tissues (Spanish: Síndrome de Intestino Irritable).

Ileum

The third portion of the small intestine, serving to absorb vitamin $B_{12}$, bile salts, and nutrients not absorbed by the jejunum (Spanish: Íleon).

Jejunum

The second or middle part of the small intestine, which absorbs most nutrients from digested food (Spanish: Yeyuno).

Laparoscopy

A procedure using a small tubular surgical instrument with a camera inserted into an incision to view organs (Spanish: Laparoscopia).

Paracentesis

Removal of fluid in the abdomen through a surgical needle puncture; also known as abdominocentesis (Spanish: Paracentesis).

Peptic ulcer

A break in the tissue lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or first part of the duodenum (Spanish: Úlcera péptica).

Peritoneal

Pertaining to the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity (Spanish: Peritoneal).

Polyp

A growth from the lining of a mucous membrane, typically having a stalk (Spanish: Pólipo).

Proctology

The study of the rectum and anus (Spanish: Proctología).

Reflux

Also known as acid reflux; the backflow of stomach acids into the esophagus creating heartburn and pain (Spanish: Reflujo).

Sigmoidoscopy

A procedure using a flexible tube to view the sigmoid, the lower portion of the large intestine (Spanish: Sigmoidoscopía).

Sphincter

A ring of muscle that acts as a guard for a tube, opening and closing to control passage (Spanish: Esfínter).

Steatosis

Fatty liver caused by malnutrition, alcoholism, or drug therapy (Spanish: Esteatosis).

Strictures

Abnormal narrowing of an opening or body cavity due to inflammation, scar tissue, or cancer (Spanish: Estrecheces).

Ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease marked by chronic ulcers and inflammation in the lining of the lower digestive tract (Spanish: Colitis ulcerosa).

Upper GI series

A radiographic study using contrast dye to look for abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine; GI stands for gastrointestinal (Spanish: Examen gastrointestinal superior).

cholicyst/o

Word part meaning gallbladder.

hepat/o

Word part meaning liver.

gastr/o

Word part meaning stomach.

-oscopy

Suffix meaning exam with a lighted instrument.

-ostomy

Suffix meaning an artificial opening into.

pept-

Word part meaning digest.

dys-

Prefix meaning bad, abnormal, or difficult.