chaper 9

chapter nine explains the digestive system, in depth.

nasogastric aspiration and lavage

the presence of bright red blood in the aspiration material indicates active upper GI bleeding; "coffee grounds" indicate the bleeding has slowed or stopped

nasogastric

pertaining to the nose and stomach

endoscopy

visual examination of a body cavity or canal using a specialized lighted instrument called an endoscope

gastroscopy

endoscopic examination of the stomach

enteroscopy

the examination of the lining of the digestive tract

panendoscopy

examination of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum using a flexible fiber-optic endoscope

colonoscopy

examination of the colon using a flexible colonoscope

sigmoidoscopy

visual examination of the sigmoid colon

digital rectal examination

finger palpation through the anal canal and rectum to examine the prostate gland

proctoscopy

examination of the rectum and anus with a proctoscope

anoscopy

the visual examination of the anal canal and lower rectum

barium swallow

radiographic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine after oral administration of barium sulfate

barium enema

series of radiographic images taken of the large intestine after the contrast agent barium has been administered rectally

Choleangiography

x-ray examination of the bile ducts with contrast

liver function tests (LFTs)

group of blood tests that evaluate liver injury, liver function, and conditions commonly associated with the biliary tract

liver proteins

proteins released by the liver in times of injury/inflammation

liver enzymes

ALT, AST; high levels may indicate damage

bilirubin

orange-yellow pigment in bile; formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin when red blood cells are destroyed

excision

process of cutting out

laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdominal cavity using an endoscope

ligate

to tie off

inguinal hernia

the protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in the lower abdominal wall or groin

lavage

irrigation of tissue with fluid

resection

removal of part or all of a structure, organ, or tissue

anastomosis

a surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures

ostomy

surgically create an opening

stoma

an opening

ileostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the ileum

colostomy

creation of an artificial opening into the colon

ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)

endoscopic procedure in which contrast is injected into the biliary tract

pancreas endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

a type of endoscopic examination that enables detailed imaging and analysis of the pancreas

antacids

drugs that neutralize the acids in the stomach

H2 blockers

block H2 receptors in the stomach to prevent the release of acid to treat heartburn, peptic ulcers, and GERD

antibiotics

Drugs that block the growth and reproduction of bacteria

H. pylori

Helicobacter pylori; bacteria that can cause gastric ulcers

antiemetics

drugs that reduce nausea and vomiting

Antihistamines

medicines that reduce the production of histamines

cachexia

loss of weight and generalized wasting that occurs during a chronic disease

laxatives

medications or foods given to stimulate bowel movements

stool softeners

drugs that cause the large intestine to retain more water in the stool to encourage passage

antidiarheal

compound which prevents or controls diarrhea

villi

Fingerlike extensions of the intestinal mucosa that increase the surface area for absorption

microvilli

Fingerlike extensions of plasma membrane of apical epithelial cells, increase surface area, aid in absorbtion, exist on every moist epithelia, but most dense in small intestine and kidney

hepatic portal vein

carries nutrient-rich blood from the capillaries of the villi to the liver, then to the heart

minerals

Elements found in food that are used by the body

Na

Sodium

K

potassium

Ca

Calcium

Mg

Magnesium

trypsin

an enzyme from the pancreas that digests proteins in the small intestine

emulsification

Breakdown of large fat globules into smaller, digestible particles.

lacteal

a lymph tubule located in the villus that absorbs fatty acids

lymphatic system

the network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissues into the blood.

chyle

white or pale yellow substance in lymph that contains fatty substances absorbed by the lacteals

starch

A storage polysaccharide in plants consisting entirely of glucose.

malabsorption

impaired digestion or intestinal absorption of nutrients

syndrome

A group of symptoms typical of a particular disease or condition

malnutrition

a state of poor nutrition

lactose intolerance

inability to digest lactose

lactase

enzyme that breaks down lactose

Chron disease

chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract usually affecting the ileum and colon; aka regional enteritis

regional enteritis

another name for Crohn's disease

Celiac disease

malabsorption syndrome caused by an auto-immune reaction to gluten

gluten

a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley

constipation

Hard, slow stools that are difficult to eliminate; often a result of too little fiber in the diet

gastroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and intestines; aka stomach flu

dysentery

an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea

electrolytes

minerals that help maintain the body's fluid balance

colon

another name for the large intestine

ileocecal valve

Valve at the junction of the small and large intestines

vermiform appendix

worm-like projection of lymphatic tissue hanging off the cecum with no digestive function; may help to resist infection

vermiform

worm-like

ascending colon

portion of the colon that extends upward from the cecum

transverse colon

portion of the colon that extends across from the ascending cecum

descending colon

travels down the left side of the abdominal cavity to the sigmoid colon

fiber

A tough complex carbohydrate that the body cannot digest

feces

solid wastes; stool

defecation

elimination of feces

colitis

inflammation of the colon (large intestine)

ulcerative colitis

chronic inflammation of the colon with presence of ulcers

colic

abdominal pain

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

appendectomy

surgical removal of the appendix

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneal cavity

peritoneal cavity

another name for abdominal cavity

diverticulosis

abnormal outpouchings in the intestinal wall of the colon

diverticulitis

inflammation of the diverticula

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

a common condition of unknown cause with symptoms that can include intermittent cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea

polyps

tumorlike growths that bud out from the lining of an organ

polyposis

abnormal condition of multiple polyps

polypectomy

surgical removal of polyps

proctitis

inflammation of the rectum and anus

hemorrhoids

swollen, twisted, varicose veins in the rectal region

hemorrhoidectomy

surgical removal of hemorrhoids

anal fissures

tears in the lining of the anal canal

anal fistula

abnormal opening between the rectum and the exterior perianal skin

fistulotomy

surgical procedure involving incision of a fistula

melena

black, tarry stools; feces containing digested blood

occult blood

blood present in such minute quantities that it cannot be detected with the unassisted eye

hemoccult test

a lab test for hidden blood in the stools