Digestive System Medical Terms: Anatomy, Procedures, and Conditions

Pertaining to the abdomen.

Abdominal

Surgical repair of the abdomen.

Abdominoplasty

A sac-like enlargement of a canal or duct.

Ampulla

Pertaining to the anus.

Anal

Excision of the appendix.

Appendectomy

Acute inflammation of the appendix.

Appendicitis

Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling.

Ascites

A by-product of the body's metabolism.

Bicarbonate

Molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are found in plant-based foods and dairy products and are an important fuel source.

Carbohydrates

Pertaining to the abdomen.

Celiac

Tumor of the bile duct.

Cholangioma

Radiographic imaging of the bile duct.

Cholangiography

Excision of the gallbladder.

Cholecystectomy

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

Cholecystitis

Condition of gallstones in the common bile duct.

Choledocholithiasis

Condition of gallstones.

Cholelithiasis

A type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.

Cirrhosis

Excision of the colon.

Colectomy

Inflammation of the colon.

Colitis

A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the colon.

Colonoscope

Examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, inserted into the rectum.

Colonoscopy

Pertaining to the colon or rectum.

Colorectal

An opening into the colon from the outside of the body.

Colostomy

A method to examine the inside of the colon by taking a series of x-rays.

CT colonography

A position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Distal

Inflammation of one or more pouches or sacs that bulge out from the wall of a hollow organ, such as the colon.

Diverticulitis

A condition marked by small sacs or pouches in the walls of a hollow organ, such as the colon.

Diverticulosis

Acute inflammation of the intestine presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.

Dysentery

Difficulty swallowing.

Dysphagia

Upset stomach.

Dyspepsia

Vomiting.

Emesis

The process of breaking down the fat into smaller blood cells which makes it easy for enzymes to function and digest food.

Emulsification

A thin tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body.

Endoscope

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body.

Endoscopy

Pertaining to the esophagus.

Esophageal

Inflammation of the esophagus.

Esophagitis

Examination of the esophagus using an esophagoscope.

Esophagoscopy

A gland whose secretions leave through a duct that opens directly, or indirectly, to the external environment.

Exocrine gland

Semisolid waste product of digestion.

Feces

Gas in the intestine.

Flatus

The part of a hollow organ that is across from or farthest away from the organ's opening.

Fundus

Stomach removal.

Gastrectomy

Pertaining to the stomach.

Gastric

Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the lining of the stomach and the intestines.

Gastroenteritis

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system.

Gastroenterologist

A subspecialty of internal medicine concerned with the study of the physiology and diseases of the digestive system and related structures.

Gastroenterology

A surgical procedure that connects part of the stomach to the jejunum.

Gastrojejunostomy

Surgical repair of the stomach.

Gastroplasty

A thin tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the stomach.

Gastroscope

Examination of the inside of the stomach using a gastroscope passed through the mouth and esophagus.

Gastroscopy

Creation of an artificial opening in the stomach.

Gastrostomy

Excision of the gums.

Gingivectomy

Inflammation of the gums.

Gingivitis

Inflammation of the tongue.

Glossitis

An enlarged or swollen blood vessel, usually located near the anus or the rectum.

Hemorrhoid

Disease of the liver causing inflammation.

Hepatitis

Tumor of the liver.

Hepatoma

Enlarged liver.

Hepatomegaly

Suturing of a hernia.

Herniorrhaphy

A procedure in which the ileum is brought through the abdominal wall.

Ileostomy

Lips of the mouth.

Labia

The lymphatic vessels of the small intestine which absorb digested fats.

Lacteals

A thin tube-like instrument used to look at tissues and organs inside the abdomen.

Laparoscope

A procedure that uses a laparoscope inserted through the abdominal wall to examine the inside of the abdomen.

Laparoscopy

A surgical incision made in the wall of the abdomen.

Laparotomy

Lymphoid tissue located at the base of the tongue.

Lingual tonsil

Referring to lymphocytes or tissue in which lymphocytes develop.

Lymphoid

Black tarry feces containing blood.

Melena

The inside of your nose.

Nasal cavity

Describes the passage from the nose to the stomach.

Nasogastric

A feeling of sickness or discomfort in the stomach that may come with an urge to vomit.

Nausea

A common chronic disease marked by an abnormally high unhealthy amount of body fat.

Obesity

A fold of the peritoneum (the thin tissue that lines the abdomen) that surrounds the stomach and other organs in the abdomen.

Omentum

By or pertaining to the mouth.

Oral

A pair of soft tissue masses located at the rear of the throat (pharynx).

Palatine tonsils

Examination by pressing on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissues underneath.

Palpation

Pertaining to the pancreas.

Pancreatic

Inflammation of the pancreas.

Pancreatitis

Having to do with the parietal peritoneum (the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and pelvic cavity) and visceral peritoneum (the tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdomen, including the intestines).

Peritoneal

Inflammation of the peritoneum.

Peritonitis

A growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane.

Polyp

Excision of polyps.

Polypectomy

The development of numerous polyps.

Polyposis

A thin, tube-like instrument used to look inside the anus and rectum.

Proctoscope

A procedure that uses a proctoscope to look inside the anus and rectum.

Proctoscopy

A position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Proximal

A band of smooth muscle at the junction between the pylorus of the stomach and the duodenum of the small intestine.

Pyloric sphincter

Incision into the pyloric muscle (used to correct pyloric stenosis).

Pyloromyotomy

By or pertaining to the rectum.

Rectal

Herniation of the rectum into the vagina.

Rectocele

The backward flow of liquid from the stomach into the esophagus.

Reflux

Stone in the salivary gland.

Sialolith

Examination of the lower colon using a sigmoidoscope, inserted into the rectum.

Sigmoidoscopy

Condition characterized by chronic fatty diarrhea.

Steatorrhea

A surgically-created opening from an area inside the body to the outside.

Stoma

Inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth.

Stomatitis

Cells arranged in layers upon a basal membrane.

Stratified squamous epithelium