Gastroenterology Medical Language Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, anatomical structures, digestive processes, pathologies, tests, and procedures from Chapter 4 Gastroenterology.

Gastroenterology

The medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal system.

Parotid glands

Salivary glands located on either side of the face, anterior to the ear.

Sublingual glands

Salivary glands located under the tongue.

Submandibular glands

Salivary glands located on either side of the neck, inferior to the mandible (lower jawbone).

Pharynx

The common passageway for inhaled air, exhaled air, and food, divided into the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx.

Cardia

The region where the stomach joins the esophagus.

Fundus

The rounded, upper portion of the stomach.

Pylorus

The narrow, last part of the stomach that joins the duodenum.

Rugae

Thick, deep folds of the gastric mucosa that expand as the stomach fills.

Chyme

A mixture of food, saliva, and digestive enzymes that leaves the stomach.

Lower esophageal sphincter

A muscular ring located between the esophagus and the stomach that keeps chyme in the stomach.

Pyloric sphincter

A muscular ring located between the stomach and the small intestine.

Duodenum

The C-shaped first segment of the small intestine, approximately 10 inches long.

Jejunum

The middle segment of the small intestine, approximately 8 feet long.

Ileum

The third segment of the small intestine, approximately 12 feet long.

Villi

Microscopic structures protruding into the intestinal lumen that increase surface area to maximize absorption of nutrients and water.

Haustra

Puckered pouches in the colon wall that expand to accommodate digested waste material.

Peritoneum

The membrane lining the abdominopelvic cavity that secretes peritoneal fluid and forms the omentum and mesentery.

Omentum

A fatty membrane formed by the peritoneum that supports the stomach and protects abdominal organs.

Mesentery

A peritoneal structure that supports the jejunum and ileum.

Mastication

The process of tearing, chewing, and grinding food with the teeth.

Deglutition

The process of swallowing food.

Peristalsis

The coordinated movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract via muscular contractions.

Emulsification

The process in which bile breaks down large fat droplets into smaller ones in the chyme.

Defecation

The process of eliminating solid waste (feces or stool) from the body.

Anorexia

Decreased appetite because of disease or the gastrointestinal side effect of a drug.

Dysphagia

Painful eating or difficulty swallowing.

Polyphagia

Excessive overeating due to an overactive thyroid, diabetes mellitus, or psychiatric illness.

Glossitis

Infection or inflammation of the tongue.

Sialolithiasis

The presence of a stone in a salivary gland that blocks saliva flow and causes swelling.

Dyspepsia

Temporary epigastric pain or indigestion.

Esophageal varix

A swollen, protruding vein in the esophageal mucosa.

Gastroenteritis

Acute infection or inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Chronic irritation due to the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus caused by sphincter failure.

Hematemesis

Vomiting of blood.

Ileus

Absence of normal peristalsis in the small and large intestines.

Intussusception

Telescoping of one intestinal segment inside another.

Volvulus

Twisting or rotating of the small intestine around itself; malrotation.

Appendicitis

Inflammation and infection of the appendix caused by trapped waste materials.

Diverticulum

A weakness in the colon wall that forms an outpouching.

Polyposis

An abnormal condition of numerous polyps, which are fleshy benign growths in the mucosa.

Hemorrhoids

Swollen, protruding veins in the rectum or around the anus.

Proctitis

Inflammation of the rectum and anus caused by ulcers or infection.

Rectocele

A hernia in the wall of the rectum that causes the rectal wall to protrude into the vaginal wall.

Hematochezia

Bright red blood in the feces originating from a lower gastrointestinal bleed.

Steatorrhea

Feces containing undigested fats due to a lack of the enzyme lipase.

Ascites

Accumulation of fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity due to increased pressure in abdominal veins.

Cirrhosis

Chronic, progressive inflammation and irreversible degeneration of the liver, accompanied by enlargement, nodules, and scarring.

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver due to cirrhosis, hepatitis, or cancer.

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera due to unconjugated bilirubin in the blood.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder due to blockage of the cystic duct by a gallstone.

Cholelithiasis

The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Choledocholithiasis

The presence of gallstones in the common bile duct.

Abdominocentesis

A surgical procedure to remove excess fluid from the abdominal cavity using an inserted needle.

Bariatric surgery

A surgical procedure to treat severe obesity by decreasing the size of the stomach.

Choledocholithotomy

A surgical procedure involving an incision into the common bile duct to remove a gallstone.

Colostomy

Surgical removal of a diseased part of the colon and creation of an abdominal wall opening (stoma) for feces to pass through.

Herniorrhaphy

A surgical procedure that uses sutures or mesh to close a defect in the abdominal muscle wall where a hernia exists.