Exploring Medical Language: Chapter 11

mouth

opening through which food passes into the body; breaks food into small particles by mastication (chewing) and mixing with saliva

tongue

consists mostly of skeletal muscle; attached in the posterior region of the mouth. It provides movement of food for mastication, directs food to the larynx for swallowing, and is a major organ for taste and speech

palate

separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity

soft palate

posterior portion, not supported by bone

hard palate

anterior portion, supported by bone

uvula

soft V-shaped structure that extends from the soft palate; directs food into the throat

pharynx, throat

performs the swallowing action that passes food from the mouth into the esophagus

esophagus

10inch (25cm) tube that is a passageway for food extending from the pharynx to the stomach. Peristalsis, involuntary wavelike movements that propel food along the digestive tract, begins in the esophagus

stomach

J-shaped sac that mixes and stores food. It secretes chemicals for digestion and hormones for local communication control

cardia

area around the opening of the esophagus

fundus

proximal domed portion of the stomach

body

central portion of the stomach, distal to the fundus

antrum

distal portion of the stomach

pylorus

portion of the stomach that connects to the small intestine

pyloric sphincter

ring of muscle that guards the opening between the stomach and the duodenum

small intestine

20-foot (6m) tube extending from the sphincter to the large intestine. Digestion is completed in the small intestine. Absorption, the passage of the nutrients (end products of digestion) from the small intestine to the bloodstream, takes place through the villi, tiny fingerlike projections that line the walls of the small intestine

duodenum

first 10-12 inches (25cm) of the small intestine

jejunum

second portion of the small intestine, approximately 8 feet

ileum

third portion of the small intestine, approximately 11ft (3.3m), which connects with the large intestine

large intestine

approximately 5feet (1.5m) long tube that extends from the ileum to the anus. Absorption of water and transit of the solid waste products of digestion take place in the large intestine

cecum

blind, U-shaped pouch that is the first portion of the large intestine

colon

next portion of the large intestine. The colon is divided into four parts: ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon

rectum

distal portion of the large intestine, approximately 8-10 inches (20cm) long, extending from the sigmoid colon to the anus

anus

sphincter muscle (ringlike band of muscle finer that keeps an opening tight) at the end of the digestive tract. Provides for elimination of solid waste products of digestion

salivary glands

produce saliva, which flows into the mouth

liver

produces bile, which is necessary for the digestion of fats. The liver performs many other functions concerned with digestion and metabolism

bile ducts

passageways that carry bile: the hepatic duct is a passageway for bile from the liver, and the cystic duct carries bile to and from the gall bladder. They join to form the common bile duct, which conveys bile to the duodenum. Collectively, these passageways are referred to as the biliary tract

gallbladder

small saclike structure that stores bile produced by the liver

pancreas

produces pancreatic juice, which helps digest all types of food and secretes insulin for carbohydrate metabolism

peritoneum

serous saclike lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavities

appendix

small pouch, which has no known function in digestion, attached to the cecum (AKA vermiform appendix)

abdomen

portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis

an/o

anus

antr/o

antrum

cec/o

cecum

col/o, colon/o

colon (large intestine)

duoden/o

duodenum

enter/o

intestine (small intestine)

esophag/o

esophagus

gastr/o

stomach

ile/o

ileum

jejun/o

jejunum

or/o, stomat/o

mouth

proct/o, rect/o

rectum

sigmoid/o

sigmoid colon

abdomin/o, celi/o, lapar/o

abdomen, abdominal cavity

append/o, appendic/o

appendix

cheil/o

lip

cholangi/o

bile duct

chol/e

gall, bile

choledoch/o

common bile duct

diverticul/o

diverticulum, or blind pouch, extending from a hollow organ (pl. diverticula)

gingiv/o

gum

gloss/o, lingu/o

tongue

hepat/o

liver

herni/o

hernia, or profusion of an organ through a membrane or cavity wall

palat/o

palate

pancreat/o

pancreas

peritone/o

peritoneum

polyp/o

polyp, small growth

pylor/o

pylorus, pyloric sphincter

sial/o

saliva, salivary gland

steal/o

fat

uvul/o

uvula

hemi-

half

-pepsia

digestion

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

cholangioma

tumor of the bile duct

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

choledocholithiasis

condition of stones in the common bile duct

cholelithiasis

condition of gall stones

colitis

inflammation of the colon

diverticulitis

inflammation of a diverticulum

diverticulosis

abnormal condition of having a diverticulum

esophagitis

inflammation of the esophagus

gastritis

inflammation of the stomach

gastroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and the intestines

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

glossitis

inflammation of the tongue

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

hepatoma

tumor of the liver

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

polyposis

abnormal condition of (multiple) polyps (in the mucous membrane of the intestine, especially the colon; high potential for malignancy if not removed when small)

rectocele

protrusion of the rectum

sialolith

stone in the salivary gland

steatohepatitis

inflammation of the liver associated with (excess) fat; often caused by alcohol abuse and obesity; over time may cause cirrhosis

uvulitis

inflammation of the uvula

adhesion

abnormal growing together of two peritoneal surfaces that normally are separated. This may occur after abdominal surgery. Surgery treatment is called adhesiolysis or adhesiotomy.

cirrhosis

chronic disease of the liver with gradual destruction of cells and formation of scar tissue; commonly caused by alcoholism and certain types of viral hepatitis

Crohn disease

chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract usually affecting the ileum and colon; characterized by cobblestone ulcerations and the formation of scar tissue that may lead to intestinal obstruction (AKA regional ileitis or regional enteritis)

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

abnormal backward flow of the gastrointestinal contents into the esophagus, causing heartburn and the gradual breakdown of the mucous barrier of the esophagus. The acidity of the regurgitated stomach contents causes irritation and inflammation of the esophagus (reflux esophagitis). Chronic GERD may cause cellular changes in the lower esophagus called Barrett esophagus which increases that risk of cancer.

hemochromatosis

iron metabolism disorder that occurs when too much iron is absorbed from food, resulting in excessive deposits of iron in the tissue; can cause heart failure, diabetes, cirrhosis, or cancer of the liver

hemorrhoids

swollen or distended veins in the rectal area, which may be internal or external, and can be a source of rectal bleeding and pain

ileus

non-mechanical obstruction of the intestine, often caused by failure of peristalsis

intussusception

hernia of part of the intestine inside the part next to it

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

periodic disturbances of bowel function, such as diarrhea and/or constipation, usually associated with abdominal pain. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy has provided relief of symptoms and improvement for quality of life

obesity

excess of body fat (not body weight). A condition in which the BMI (body mass index) is greater than 30kg/m-cubed. Morbid obesity is defined as BMI over 40kg/m-cubed.

peptic ulcer

erosion of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum associated with increased secretion of acid from the stomach, bacterial infection (H. pylori), or NSAIDs (AKA as gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer, depending on the location)

polyp

tumorlike growth extending outward from a mucous membrane; usually benign; common sites are in the nose, throat, and intestines