Medical Language: Chapter 4 - Gastroenterology and the Gastrointestinal System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical terms, physiological mechanisms, clinical conditions, diagnostic tests, and surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal system.

Gastroenterology

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

Mastication

The tearing, chewing, and grinding of food by the teeth during mechanical digestion.

Deglutition

The process of swallowing food.

Peristalsis

Coordinated muscular contractions of the gastrointestinal tract walls that move food and waste material along.

Parotid Glands

Salivary glands located on either side of the face, anterior to the ear, that release saliva through ducts into the oral cavity.

Epiglottis

The structure that seals the opening of the larynx during swallowing to divert food into the esophagus and stomach.

Rugae

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

Chyme

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

Villi

Thousands of microscopic projections protruding into the intestinal lumen that increase surface area to maximize absorption of nutrients and water.

Haustra

Puckered pouches in the wall of the large intestine (colon) that expand to accommodate digested waste material.

Peritoneum

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

Mesentery

A structure formed by the peritoneum that supports and anchors the jejunum and ileum.

Omentum

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

Hepatocytes

Liver cells that continuously produce bile.

Biliary Tree

The branching system of bile ducts that drains bile from the liver into the common hepatic duct, cystic duct, and common bile duct.

Cholecystokinin

A hormone released by the duodenum that stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release bile and prompts the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes.

Emulsification

The process by which bile breaks down large globules of fats in chyme into smaller droplets.

Anorexia

Decreased appetite resulting from disease or as a gastrointestinal side effect of a drug.

Dysphagia

Painful eating or difficulty swallowing.

Polyphagia

Excessive overeating caused by 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 or duct that blocks salivary flow and causes swelling.

Dyspepsia

Temporary epigastric pain or indigestion caused by excess stomach acid, reflux, overeating, spicy foods, or stress.

Esophageal Varix

A swollen, protruding, dilated vein in the esophageal mucosa that can bleed when irritated by swallowed food.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Chronic irritation and inflammation of the esophagus caused by the backflow of stomach acid due to failure of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Hematemesis

The vomiting of blood.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Chronic irritation, burning pain, and mucosal erosion resulting in an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum.

Ileus

The absence of normal peristalsis in the small and large intestines, often caused by mechanical obstruction, trauma, infection, or surgery.

Intussusception

The telescoping of one intestinal segment inside the lumen of an adjacent segment, obstructing flow and impairing blood supply.

Volvulus

The twisting or rotating of a loop of intestine around itself, causing obstruction and compromised blood flow.

Diverticulum

An abnormal pouch formed by weakness in the muscular wall of the colon where feces can become trapped.

Diverticulitis

Infection and inflammation occurring in a diverticulum due to trapped fecal material.

Crohn Disease

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the ileum and colon, characterized by wall thickening, cobblestone appearance, and ulcers.

Polyposis

A condition characterized by numerous polyps, which are fleshy benign mucosal growths that can be sessile or pedunculated.

Hemorrhoids

Swollen, protruding veins in the rectum or anal canal.

Proctitis

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

Rectocele

A hernia of the wall of the rectum that protrudes into the adjacent vaginal wall.

Hematochezia

The passage of blood in feces; bright red blood indicates lower GI bleeding, whereas melena represents altered blood from the upper GI tract.

Steatorrhea

The passage of pale, greasy feces containing excessive undigested fats due to a lack of the pancreatic enzyme lipase.

Sliding Hernia

A reducible hernia in which the loop of intestine and peritoneum move freely in and out of the hernia sac.

Strangulated Hernia

A hernia where the intestinal loop becomes trapped and its blood supply is cut off, leading to tissue necrosis.

Omphalocele

An umbilical hernia present at birth in which abdominal contents protrude into the base of the umbilical cord.

Peritonitis

Severe inflammation and infection of the peritoneum caused by spillage of intestinal contents, bile, or bacteria following perforation of an ulcer, diverticulum, or appendix.

Ascites

The abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominopelvic cavity caused by elevated pressure in abdominal veins secondary to liver disease.

Cirrhosis

Chronic, progressive inflammation and irreversible degeneration of the liver tissue, resulting in nodules, scarring, and loss of function.

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (scleral icterus) caused by high levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood.

Cholangitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the bile ducts typically caused by cirrhosis or obstructing gallstones.

Cholecystitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by a gallstone blocking the cystic duct.

Cholelithiasis

The condition of having gallstones in the gallbladder.

Choledocholithiasis

The presence of one or more gallstones in the common bile duct.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation or infection of the pancreas caused by chronic alcoholism, bacterial or viral infection, or an obstructing gallstone.

Barium Enema (BE)

A radiologic procedure using liquid barium contrast medium inserted through the rectum to coat and visualize the colon and haustra on x-ray.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

A procedure in which an endoscope is advanced into the duodenum and a catheter injects contrast dye retrograde to visualize the biliary tree and pancreatic duct on x-rays.

Upper Gastrointestinal Series (UGI)

A fluoroscopic x-ray procedure in which a patient swallows liquid barium contrast medium to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

Nasogastric (NG) Tube

A flexible tube inserted through the nose into the stomach used to drain gastric secretions or administer liquid feedings and medications.

Abdominocentesis

A medical procedure that uses a needle inserted through the abdominal wall to withdraw accumulated fluid from the abdominal cavity.

Choledocholithotomy

A surgical incision into the common bile duct to remove an obstructing gallstone.

Colostomy

Surgical removal of diseased colon followed by creation of an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall through which feces exit into a collection pouch.

Herniorrhaphy

A surgical procedure that uses sutures or surgical mesh to repair and close a muscular defect in the abdominal wall where a hernia occurred.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tube

A permanent feeding tube inserted through the abdominal wall directly into the stomach using endoscopic guidance.