Gastrointestinal Diseases and Conditions: Definitions and Key Terms

Achalasia

Failure of smooth muscle of alimentary canal to relax

Appendicitis

Inflammation of the appendix

Barrett Esophagus

Peptic ulcer of lower esophagus, often with stricture

Bezoar

Mass in the stomach formed by material that does not pass into the intestine

Biliary Stenosis

Narrowing of bile ducts

Calculus

Abnormal concentration of mineral salts, often called a stone

Carcinoma

Malignant new growth composed of epithelial cells

Celiac Disease or Sprue

Malabsorption disease caused by mucosal defect in the jejunum

Cholecystitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of gallbladder

Choledocholithiasis

Calculus in common bile duct

Cholelithiasis

Presence of gallstones

Colitis

Inflammation of the colon

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula in the alimentary canal

Diverticulosis

Diverticula in the colon without inflammation or symptoms

Diverticulum

Pouch created by herniation of the mucous membrane through the muscular coat

Esophageal Varices

Enlarged tortuous veins of lower esophagus, resulting from portal hypertension

Fistula

Abnormal connection between two internal organs or between an organ and through the body surface

Foreign Body

Foreign material in the airway

Gastritis

Inflammation of lining of stomach

Gastroesophageal reflux

Backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus

Hiatal Hernia

Protrusion of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm

Hirschsprung disease

Absence of parasympathetic ganglia, usually in the distal colon, resulting in the absence of peristalsis

Ileus

Failure of bowel peristalsis

Inguinal Hernia

Protrusion of the bowel into the groin

Intussusception

Prolapse of a portion of the bowel into the lumen of an adjacent part

Malabsorption Syndrome

Disorder in which subnormal absorption of dietary constituents occurs

Meckel Diverticulum

Diverticulum of the distal ileum, similar to the appendix

Pancreatic Pseudocyst

collection of debris, fluid, pancreatic enzymes, and blood as a complication of acute pancreatitis

Pancreatitis

Acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas

Polyp

Growth or mass protruding from a mucous membrane

Pyloric stenosis

Narrowing of pyloric canal, causing obstruction

Regional Enteritis (Crohn Disease)

Inflammatory bowel disease, most commonly involving the distal ileum

Salivary duct obstruction

Condition that prevents passage of saliva through the duct

Stenosis

Narrowing or contraction of a passage

Tumor

New tissue growth where cell proliferation is uncontrolled

Ulcer

Depressed lesion on the surface of the alimentary canal

Ulcerative Colitis

Recurrent disorder causing inflammatory ulceration in the colon

Vovlus

Twisting of a bowel loop on itself

Zenker Diverticulum

Diverticulum located just above the cardiac portion of the stomach

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