Chapter 5: The Language of Medicine (Study Terms)

absorption

Passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream.

amino acids

Small building blocks of proteins released when proteins are digested.

amylase

Enzyme secreted by the pancreas and salivary glands that digests starch.

anus

Terminal end or opening of the digestive tract to the outside of the body.

appendix

Blind pouch hanging from the cecum in the right lower quadrant (RLQ).

bile

Digestive juice made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder that emulsifies fats.

bilirubin

Pigment released by the liver in bile.

bowel

Intestine.

canine teeth

Pointed teeth next to the incisors; also called cuspids or eyeteeth.

cecum

First part of the large intestine.

colon

Portion of the large intestine consisting of the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid segments.

common bile duct

Duct that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum.

defecation

Elimination of feces from the digestive tract through the anus.

deglutition

Swallowing.

dentin

Primary material of a tooth, covered by enamel in the crown and cementum in the root.

digestion

Breakdown of complex foods into simpler forms.

duodenum

First part of the small intestine.

elimination

Removal of materials from the body; in the digestive system, removal of indigestible material as feces.

emulsification

Process of breaking large fat globules into smaller globules to aid digestion.

enamel

Hard, outermost layer of a tooth.

enzyme

Chemical that speeds up reactions; digestive enzymes break food into simpler substances.

esophagus

Tube connecting the throat to the stomach.

fatty acids

Substances produced when fats are digested.

feces

Solid waste; stool.

gallbladder

Small sac beneath the liver that stores bile.

glucose

Simple sugar.

glycogen

Storage form of glucose in liver cells.

hydrochloric acid

Strong acid produced by the stomach that aids digestion.

ileum

Third part of the small intestine.

incisor

One of the four front teeth in the dental arch.

insulin

Hormone produced by the pancreas that helps transport sugar into body cells.

jejunum

Second part of the small intestine.

lipase

Pancreatic enzyme that digests fats.

liver

Large organ that produces bile, stores nutrients, filters toxins, and makes blood proteins.

lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach; also called the cardiac sphincter.

mastication

Chewing.

molar teeth

Large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth used for grinding food.

palate

Roof of the mouth, consisting of the hard palate and soft palate.

pancreas

Organ behind the stomach that produces insulin and digestive enzymes.

papillae

Small projections on the tongue that contain taste buds.

parotid gland

Salivary gland located within the cheek, just in front of the ear.

peristalsis

Rhythmic contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

pharynx

Throat; common passageway for food and air.

portal vein

Large vein carrying blood from the intestines to the liver.

protease

Enzyme that digests protein.

pulp

Soft tissue inside a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

pyloric sphincter

Ring of muscle at the end of the stomach that opens into the duodenum.

pylorus

Distal region of the stomach opening into the duodenum.

rectum

Last section of the large intestine connecting the colon to the anus.

rugae

Ridges on the hard palate and the wall of the stomach.

saliva

Digestive fluid produced by the salivary glands that contains amylase.

salivary glands

Parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands that produce saliva.

sigmoid colon

S-shaped segment of the colon just before the rectum.

sphincter

Circular ring of muscle that constricts or closes a passage.

stomach

Muscular organ that receives food from the esophagus and begins digestion.

triglycerides

Fat molecules composed of three fatty acids and one glycerol.

uvula

Soft tissue hanging from the middle of the soft palate.

villi

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

anorexia

Lack of appetite.

ascites

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

borborygmi

Rumbling or gurgling noises produced by movement of gas and fluid in the gastrointestinal tract.

constipation

Difficulty passing stools (feces).

diarrhea

Frequent passage of loose, watery stools.

dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

eructation

Gas expelled from the stomach through the mouth; belching.

flatus

Gas expelled through the anus.

hematochezia

Passage of fresh, bright red blood from the rectum.

jaundice (icterus)

Yellow-orange discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by high levels of bilirubin.

melena

Black, tarry stools containing digested blood.

nausea

Unpleasant sensation in the stomach with a tendency to vomit.

steatorrhea

Fat in the feces.

aphthous stomatitis

Inflammation of the mouth with small, painful ulcers (canker sores).

dental caries

Tooth decay.

herpetic stomatitis

Inflammation of the mouth caused by herpesvirus infection.

oral leukoplakia

White plaques or patches on the mucosa of the mouth.

periodontal disease

Inflammation and degeneration of the gums, teeth, and surrounding bone.

achalasia

Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax.

esophageal cancer

Malignant tumor of the esophagus.

esophageal varices

Swollen varicose veins at the lower end of the esophagus.

gastric cancer

Malignant tumor of the stomach.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus; causes heartburn.

hernia

Protrusion of an organ or body part through the tissues and muscles that normally contain it.

peptic ulcer

Open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

anal fistula

Abnormal tube-like passageway near the anus.

colonic polyps

Benign growths protruding from the mucous membrane of the colon.

colorectal cancer

Adenocarcinoma of the colon, rectum, or both.

Crohn disease

Chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.

diverticulosis

Abnormal outpouchings (diverticula) in the intestinal wall of the colon.

dysentery

Painful inflammation of the intestines, usually caused by bacterial infection.

hemorrhoids

Swollen, twisted varicose veins in the rectal region.

ileus

Loss of peristalsis causing obstruction of the intestines.

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Chronic inflammation of the colon and/or small intestine, including Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

intussusception

Telescoping of one segment of the intestine into another.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Functional gastrointestinal disorder causing abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation without structural abnormalities.

ulcerative colitis

Chronic inflammation of the colon with the presence of ulcers.

volvulus

Twisting of the intestine on itself.

cholelithiasis

Gallstones in the gallbladder.

cirrhosis

Chronic degenerative disease of the liver with fibrosis and loss of function.

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Primary liver cancer.

pancreatic cancer

Malignant tumor of the pancreas.