Med Terms - Chapter 11: Words Without Word Parts

mouth

opening through which food passes into the body; breaks food into small particles by mastication (chewing) and mixing with saliva

tongue

consists mostly of skeletal muscle; attached in the posterior region of the mouth. It provides movement of food for mastication, directs food to the pharynx for swallowing, and is a major organ for taste and speech.

palate

separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity

soft palate

posterior portion, not supported by bone

hard palate

anterior portion, supported by bone

uvula

soft V-shaped structure that extends from the soft palate; directs food into the throat

pharynx

performs the swallowing action that passes food from the mouth into the esophagus (also called the throat)

esophagus

10-inch tube that is a passageway for food extending from the pharynx to the stomach

peristalis

involuntary, wavelike movements that propel food along the gastrointestinal tract, begins in the esophagus.

stomach

J-shaped sac that mixes and stores food. It secretes chemicals for digestion and hormones for local communication control

cardia

area around the opening of the esophagus

fundus

proximal domed portion of the stomach

body

central portion of the stomach, distal to the fundus

antrum

distal portion of the stomach

pylorus

portion of the stomach that connects to the small intestine

pyloric sphincter

ring of muscle that guards the opening between the stomach and the duodenum

small intestine

20-foot tube extending from the pyloric sphincter to the large intestine. Digestion is completed in the small intestine. Absorption, the passage of the nutrients (end products of digestion) from the small intestine to the bloodstream, takes place through the villi, tiny fingerlike projections that line the walls of the small intestine

digestion

Breakdown of food substances into simpler forms that can be absorbed and used

absorption

The process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood

villi

Tiny fingerlike projections lining the small intestine, through which nutrients are absorbed into the blood.

duodenum

first 10 to 12 inches of the small intestine

jejunum

second portion of the small intestine, approximately 8 feet long

ileum

third portion of the small intestine, approximately 11 feet long, which connects with the large intestine

large intestine

approximately 5 feet long tube that extends from the ileum to the anus. Absorption of water and transit of the solid waste products of digestion take place in the large intestine

cecum

U-shaped pouch that is the first portion of the large intestine

colon

main portion of the large intestine. The colon is divided into four parts: ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon.

rectum

distal portion of the large intestine, approximately 8 to 10 inches long, extending from the sigmoid colon to the anus

anus

sphincter muscle (ringlike band of muscle fiber that keeps an opening tight) at the end of the gastrointestinal tract. Provides for elimination of solid waste products of digestion

elimination

act of removal of materials from the body; in the digestive system, the removal of indigestible materials as feces

salivary glands

produce saliva, which flows into the mouth

liver

produces bile, which is necessary for the digestion of fats. The liver performs many other functions concerned with digestion and metabolism

biliary tract

organs and ducts (passageways) that transport, store, and release bile (also called biliary system)

common bile duct

small, tubelike structure where the hepatic duct and cystic duct join; conveys bile to the duodenum to aid in the breakdown of fats

gallbladder

small, saclike structure that stores bile produced by the liver

pancreas

produces pancreatic juice, which helps digest all types of food and secretes insulin for carbohydrate metabolism

peritoneum

serous saclike lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavities

appendix

small pouch, which has no known function in digestion, attached to the cecum (also called vermiform appendix)

abdomen

portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis

adhesion

abnormal growing together of two peritoneal surfaces that normally are separated. This may occur after abdominal surgery. Surgical treatment is called adhesiolysis or adhesiotomy.

celiac disease

malabsorption syndrome caused by an immune reaction to gluten (a protein in wheat, rye, and barley), which may damage the lining of the small intestine. Considered a multisystem disorder. (also called gluten enteropathy)

cirrhosis

chronic disease of the liver with gradual destruction of cells and formation of scar tissue; commonly caused by alcoholism and certain types of viral hepatitis

crohn disease

chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract usually affecting the ileum and colon; characterized by cobblestone ulcerations and the formation of scar tissue that may lead to intestinal obstruction.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

abnormal backward flow of the gastrointestinal contents into the esophagus, causing heartburn and the gradual breakdown of the mucous barrier of the esophagus

hemochromatosis

iron metabolism disorder that occurs when too much iron is absorbed from food, resulting in excessive deposits of iron in the tissue; can cause heart failure, diabetes, cirrhosis, or cancer of the liver

hemorrhoids

swollen or distended veins in the rectum or anus, which are called internal or external, respectively, and can be a source of rectal bleeding and pain

ileus

nonmechanical obstruction of the intestine, caused by a lack of effective peristalsis (involuntary wavelike movements that propel food along the gastrointestinal tract)

intussusception

prolapse of one part of the intestine inside the part next to it. It is most in infants; symptoms may include intestinal blockage, abdominal pain with cramping, or a lump that can be felt from the outside

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

periodic disturbances of bowel function, such as diarrhea and/or constipation, usually associated with abdominal pain

obesity

excess of body fat, which increases body weight; a condition in which body mass index (BMI) is greater than 30 kg/m^2

overweight

defined as BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m^2

morbid obesity

defined as BMI over 40kg/m^2

peptic ulcer

erosion of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum associated with increased secretion of acid from the stomach, bacterial infection, or medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

polyp

tumorlike growth extending outward from a mucous membrane; usually benign; common sites are the nose, throat, and intestines

ulcerative colitis (UC)

disease characterized by inflammation of the colon with the formation of ulcers, which can cause bloody diarrhea. A proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy may become necessary if the patient doesn't respond to medical therapy

volvulus

twisting or kinking of the intestine, causing intestinal obstruction

abdominoperineal resection (APR)

removal of the distal colon, rectum, and anal sphincter through both abdominal and perineal approaches; performed to treat some colorectal cancers and inflammatory diseases of the lower large intestine.

anastomosis

connection created by surgically joining two structures, such as blood vessels or bowel segments

bariatric surgery

surgical reduction of gastric capacity to treat morbid obesity

hemorrhoidectomy

excision of hemorrhoids, the swollen or distended veins in the lower rectum and anus

vagotomy

cutting of certain branches of the vagus nerve, performed with gastric surgery to reduce the amount of gastric acid produced and thus reduce the recurrence of ulcers

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)

creation of a small gastric pouch with drainage of food to the rest of the gastrointestinal tract through a restricted stroma; the duodenum and part of the jejunum are bypassed. Restricts food intake and calorie absorption rate.

sleeve gastrecomy

the majority of the stomach is removed and a smaller tubular stomach is created. the capacity of the stomach is therefore significantly reduced

laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB)

creation of a small gastric pouch by the placement of a band around the upper portion of the stomach; the band can be adjusted to change the size of the stomach through a subcutaneous port

abdominal sonography

Ultrasound scanning of the abdominal cavity in which the size and structure of organs such as the aorta, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas can be visualized

barium enema (BE)

series of radiographic images taken of the large intestine after the contrast agent barium has been administered rectally (also called lower GI series)

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

procedure using an endoscope to visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts, introduce contrast agents, and record x-rays images (flouroscopy); used to evaluate OBSTRUCTIONS, STRICTURES, AND SOME DISEASES OF THE LIVER AND PANCREAS. STOME REMOVAL, BIOPSY, AND STENTING MAY BE PERFORMED DURING THE PROCEDURE FOR TREATMENT.

upper GI series

series of radiographic images taken of the stomach and duodenum after the contrast agent barium has been swallowed

fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

examination of a stool sample to detect blood not directly visible. Occult blood refers to blood that is present but can only be detected by chemical testing or by microscope. The test is used to screen for colon cancer or polyps.

helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stool antigen

chemical test on a fecal sample to determine the presence of the bacteria (H. pylori) that can cause peptic ulcers

ascites

abnormal collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity

diarrhea

frequent discharge of liquid stool

emesis

expelling matter from the stomach through the mouth (also called vomiting)

flatus

gas in the gastrointestinal tract or expelled through the anus (fart)

hematemesis

vomiting of blood

hematochezia

passage of visibly blood feces

malabsorption

impaired digestion or intestinal absorption of nutrients

melena

black, tarry stool that contains digested blood; usually a result of bleeding in the upper GI tract

nausea

urge to vomit

reflux

abnormal backward flow. In esophageal reflux, the stomach contents flow back into the esophagus

gastric lavage

wasting out of the stomach

feces

waste from the gastrointestinal tract expelled through the anus

palpate

to examine by hand; to feel

stoma

surgical opening between an organ and the surface of the body, such as the opening established in the abdominal wall by colostomy, ileostomy, or a similar operation. Stoma may also refer to an opening created between body structures or between portions of the intestines

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

UC

ulcerative colitis

BE

barium enema

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ERCP

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

visual examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum

EUS

endoscopic ultrasound

endoscopic ultrasound

procedure using an endoscope fitted with an ultrasound probe that provides images of layers of the intestinal wall

FIT

fecal immunochemical test

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

Use antibodies to detect blood in the stool
(detects human-globin protein)

FOBT

fecal occult blood test

APR

abdominalperineal resection

abdominalperineal resection (APR)

removal of the distal colon, rectum, and anal sphincter through both abdominal and perineal approaches

PEG

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)

feeding catheter inserted into the stomach through the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the abdomen

UPPP

uvulopalatopharyngoplasty