Gastroenterology: Digestive System Pathology, Diagnostic Tests, and Treatments

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering digestive system pathologies, diagnostic tests, and surgical and medical treatments in gastroenterology.

Ascites

Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity; named from the Latin word askos, meaning a bag, describing the swollen appearance of the abdomen.

Celiac disease

Autoimmune condition affecting the small intestine caused by a reaction to eating gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley); symptoms may include abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, and nutritional deficiencies.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease characterized by destructive nodules and scarring in the liver.

Colorectal cancer

Cancerous tumor originating in the lining of the colon or rectum.

Constipation

Difficulty passing a bowel movement (BM) or infrequent BMs.

Crohn disease

Chronic bowel disease with mucous membrane ulcers, most often found in the ileum; also called regional ileitis. Named for Burrill Crohn, the American gastroenterologist who first investigated it in 1932.

Diarrhea

Passing frequent, watery, or bloody bowel movements.

Dysentery

Acute intestinal condition with pain, diarrhea, and blood and mucus in stool; usually caused by bacterial or parasitic infection.

Emesis

To expel stomach contents through the mouth; commonly called vomiting (derived from the Latin word emein).

Esophageal atresia

Congenital lack of the connection between the esophagus and stomach, preventing food from entering the stomach.

Esophageal varices

Varicose veins in the esophagus that result in massive bleeding if they rupture; the singular form is varix.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Condition that occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.

Hematochezia

Presence of bright red blood in a bowel movement.

Hemorrhoids

Varicose veins in the rectum.

Hiatal hernia

Protrusion of a portion of the stomach through the diaphragm and into the thoracic cavity; also called diaphragmatic hernia. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common symptom.

Ileus

Obstruction of the intestine that occurs when muscular movements stop moving food or a blockage prevents food from moving through the digestive tract.

Inguinal hernia

Protrusion of a loop of the small intestine through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle wall and into the groin region; may become incarcerated (trapped) and strangulated if the muscle tightens around the loop and cuts off its blood supply.

Intussusception

Condition occurring when one section of the intestine slips or telescopes into another section of the intestine.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Disturbance in normal functioning of the bowel characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea, often associated with stress; also called spastic colon or functional bowel syndrome.

Jaundice

Yellow-colored skin and whites of the eyes associated with liver disease.

Melena

Very dark, tarry stool due to the presence of blood.

Nausea

Feeling the urge to vomit; term originates from the Latin word nausia, meaning seasickness.

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

Craterlike erosion occurring on the mucous membrane of the lower esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum; it is more dangerous if it eats into a blood vessel (bleeding ulcer) or eats through the stomach wall (perforated ulcer allowing stomach acids into the abdominal cavity).

Ulcerative colitis

Chronic bowel disease characterized by the formation of ulcers on the mucous membrane of the colon; also called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Volvulus

A length of bowel that becomes twisted around itself, cutting off blood circulation to the twisted loop.

Barium enema (BE, BaE)

X-ray examination of the large intestine using radiopaque barium sulfate liquid as contrast medium to outline the hollow GI tract; also known as a lower GI series.

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Clinical lab test for the presence of small, hidden amounts of blood in feces that are too small to perceive even with a microscope; also called hemoccult test or stool guaiac test.

Helicobacter pylori antibody test (H. pylori)

Blood test for the presence of antibodies to a bacterium known to cause gastric ulcers.

Ova and parasites (O&P)

Clinical lab test for the presence of parasites or their eggs in feces.

Paracentesis

Process of inserting a needle into the abdominal cavity to withdraw excess fluid (e.g., in a person with ascites) for testing for conditions such as cancer or infections; also called abdominocentesis.

Upper gastrointestinal series (UGI)

X-ray examination of the esophagus and stomach using barium as a contrast medium; also known as a barium swallow.

Antacid

Medication used to neutralize stomach acids.

Antidiarrheal

Medication used to control diarrhea.

Antiemetic

Medication to treat nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.

Bariatric surgery

Group of surgical procedures designed to treat extreme obesity by reducing the size of the stomach or diverting food from passing through a portion of the GI tract.

Gastric banding

A type of bariatric surgery where a restrictive band (lap-band) is placed around the stomach to prevent it from expanding to hold large amounts of food, resulting in smaller meals.

Gastric bypass

A type of bariatric surgery in which a major portion of the stomach is disconnected from the GI tract (not removed), leaving the esophagus emptying food into a small gastric pouch that empties into the duodenum; commonly called stomach stapling.

Gastric stapling

A type of bariatric surgery that closes off a large section of the stomach with rows of staples, resulting in a smaller stomach that cannot hold a large meal.

Gavage

Use of a nasogastric (NG) tube to place liquid nourishment directly into the stomach.

$$\text{H}_2\text{ inhibitors}$$

Medications that block $H_2$ receptors in the stomach lining to reduce the production of stomach acid, used to treat peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Laxative

Medication used to treat constipation; derived from the Latin word laxativus, meaning to relax.

Lavage

Use of a nasogastric (NG) tube to wash out the stomach, such as after the ingestion of a dangerous substance.

Nasogastric intubation (NG)

Procedure in which a flexible tube is placed through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach; can be used for gavage, lavage, or suctioning stomach fluids.

Proton pump inhibitors

Medications used to treat peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease by blocking the stomach's ability to secrete acid.

Stoma

A surgically created opening on the surface of the body connected to a section of the digestive (or urinary) system for the purpose of removing wastes.

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

Nutrient-complete solution given directly into the bloodstream when a person cannot eat by mouth.