Word List 7

Digestive System

appendectomy

removal/excision of the appendix

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

ascites

accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

cholecystectomy

removal/excision of the gall bladder

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gall bladder

choledochotomy

incision of a bile duct

cholelithiasis

abnormal condition of a gall stone

cirrhosis

chronic degenerative liver disease

Crohn’s disease

a form of inflammatory bowel disease

colectomy

removal/excision of the colon

colonoscopy

visual examination of the colon

colostomy

forming an opening in the colon

diverticulosis

abnormal condition with small pouches (diverticula) in the intestinal wall

diverticulitis

inflammation/infection within diverticula

dysentry

inflammation of the intestine (especially the colon)

dyspepsia

bad/painful/difficult digestion

emesis

vomiting

endoscopy

visual examination of in/within (usually the esophagus, stomach, duodenum)

guarding

contraction of abdominal muscle/discomfort when pressure applied to abdomen

hematemesis

vomiting blood

hematochezia

passage of bright red blood in the stool

hemorrhoid

mass of enlarged varicose veins internal or external to the rectum

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

hypoglossal

pertaining to below/under the tongue

jaundice

yellow coloration of the skin due to increased bilirubin in the blood

laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdomen

melena

black “tarry” colored stool, a sign of GI bleeding

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

postprandial

after a meal

proctologist

specialist in the study of the anus/rectum

pyalism

overproduction of saliva

sialorrhea

discharge/flow of saliva

sublingual

below/under the tongue