The Digestive SystemChapter 1: Word Parts of the Digestive System

Anastomosis

Surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures

Ascending

Upward

Bariatrics

The field of medicine dealing with the treatment of obesity

Bowel

Intestine

Deglutition

Swallowing

Dentition

Condition of the teeth

Descending

Downward

Emesis

The act of vomiting

Eructation

Belching or burping

Fissure

Crack-like sore of the skin

Flares or Flare-ups

Intervals of intensification of active disease

Hernia

The protrusion of an organ or part through the tissues that normally contain it

Ligation

The tying off of blood vessels

Mastication

Chewing

Morbid obesity

A condition in which excess body fat adversely affects the person's health

Occult blood

Blood that is not visible and can be detected only by lab testing

Parenteral

Outside of or bypassing the digestive system

Prolapse

The slipping or dropping down of an organ or body part from its normal position

Reflux

Stomach contents flowing backward into the esophagus

Sphincter

A ring of muscles that function to close a body opening

Stricture

Abnormal narrowing of a bodily passage

Transverse

Across

Ulcer

Open lesion of the skin or mucous membrane

Varices

Enlarged and swollen veins