Chapter 9

aerophagia (ayr-oh-FAY-jee-ah)

excessive swallowing of air while eating or drinking and is a common cause of gas in the stomach.

anastomosis (ah-nas-toh-MOH-sis)

a surgical connection between two hollow, or tubular, structures.

antiemetic (an-tih-ee-MET-ick)

a medication that is administered to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.

ascites (ah-SIGH-teez)

an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

bariatrics (bayr-ee-AT-ricks)

the branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and management of obesity and associated diseases.

borborygmus (bor-boh-RIG-mus)

the rumbling noise caused by the movement of gas in the intestine.

cachexia (kah-KEKS-eeh-ah)

a condition of physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and muscle mass that occurs in patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS.

canker sores (KANE-ker)

also known as aphthous ulcers, are gray-white pits with a red border in the soft tissues lining the mouth.

celiac disease (SEE-lee-ak)

an autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe reaction to ingesting gluten.

cheilitis (kye-LITE-is)

also known as cheilosis, is inflammation of the lips characterized by crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth.

cholangiography (koh-LAN-jee-og-rah-fee)

a radiographic examination of the bile ducts with the use of a contrast medium.

cholangitis (koh-lan-JIGH-tis)

an acute inflammation of the bile duct characterized by pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice.

cholecystectomy (koh-luh-sis-TECK-toh-mee)

the surgical removal of the galbladder.

cholecystitis (koh-luh-sis-TYE-tis)

inflammation of the gallbladder, usually associated with gallstones blocking the flow of bile.

cholelithiasis (koh-luh-lih-THIGH-ah-sis)

the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

cirrhosis (sih-ROH-sis)

a chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by scarring.

colonoscopy (koh-lun-OSS-koh-pee)

the direct visual examination of the inner surface of the entire colon from the rectum to the cecum using a colonoscope.

colostomy (koh-LAHS-toh-mee)

the surgical creation of an artificial excretory opening between the colon and the body surface.

Crohn’s disease (KROHNZ)

a chronic autoimmune disorder that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract; however, it is most often found in the ileum and in the colon.

dental prophylaxis (proh-fih-LACK-sis)

the professional examining, cleaning, and polishing of the gums and teeth to remove plaque and tartar.

diverticulitis (dye-ver-tick-you-LYE-tis)

the inflammation or infection of one or more diverticulum in the colon.

diverticulosis (dye-ver-tick-you-LOH-sis)

the chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula, or sacs, formed in weak spots of the colon wall.

dyspepsia (dis-PEP-see-ah)

also known as indigestion, is pain or discomfort during the digestion process.

dysphagia (dis-FAY-jee-ah)

difficulty in swallowing.

endoscopy (en-DOS-koh-pee)

a visual examination of internal structures.

enema (EH-neh-ma)

the placement of a solution into the rectum and colon to empty the lower intestine through bowel activity.

enteritis (en-ter-EYE-tis)

an inflammation of the small intestine caused by ingesting substances contaminated with viral or bacterial pathogens which causes diarrhea.

eructation (eh-ruk-TAY-shun)

the act of belching or raising gas orally from the stomach.

esophageal varices (eh-sof-ah-JEE-al VAYR-ih-seez)

enlarged and swollen veins at the lower end of the esophagus.

esophagogastroduodenoscopy (eh-sof-ah-goh-gas-troh-dew-oh-deh-NOS-koh-pee)

(EGD) is an endoscopic procedure that allows direct visualization of the upper GI tract.

gastroduodenostomy (gas-troh-dew-oh-deh-NOS-toh-mee)

the establishment of an anastomosis between the upper portion of the stomach and the duodenum.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (gas-troh-eh-sof-ah-JEE-al REE-flucks)

also known as GERD, is the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

gastroparesis (gas-troh-pah-REE-sis)

a condition in which gastric motility slows down, causing delayed gastric emptying.

gastrostomy tube (gas-TROS-toh-mee)

a surgically placed feeding tube from the exterior of the body on the abdomen, directly into the stomach.

hematemesis (hee-mah-TEM-eh-sis)

the vomiting of coagulated blood.

Hemoccult test (HEE-moh-kult)

also known as the fecal occult blood test, is a laboratory test for hidden blood in stool.

hepatitis (hep-ah-TYE-tis)

an inflammation of the liver usually caused by a viral infection.

hiatal hernia (high-AY-tal HER-nee-ah)

an anatomical abnormality in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm.

hyperemesis (high-per-EM-eh-sis)

extreme, persistent vomiting that can cause dehydration.

ileus (ILL-ee-us)

the partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine.

inguinal hernia (ING-gwih-nal HER-nee-ah)

the protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in the lower abdominal wall or groin

jaundice (JAWN-dis)

a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes.

leukoplakia (loo-koh-PLAY-kee-ah)

an abnormal white, usually benign lesion (sore) that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek.

malocclusion (mal-oh-KLOO-zhun)

any deviation from the normal positioning of the upper teeth against the lower teeth.

melena (meh-LEE-nah)

the passage of black, tarry, foul-smelling stools.

nasogastric intubation (nay-zoh-GAS-trick in-too-BAY-shun)

the placement of a nasogastric feeding tube (NG tube) through the nose and into the stomach.

obesity (oh-BEE-sih-tee)

a complex, chronic disease characterized by excessive body fat that increases the risk of serious health problems

palatoplasty (PAL-ah-toh-plas-tee)

surgical repair of a cleft palate, also used to refer to the repair of a cleft lip.

peptic ulcer disease (UL-ser)

(PUD) is characterized by sores that affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system.

peristalsis (pehr-ih-STAL-sis)

a series of wave-like contractions of the smooth muscles in a single direction that moves the food forward into the digestive system.

polyp (POL-up)

a mushroom-like growth from the surface of a mucous membrane.

proctologist (prock-TOL-oh-jist)

a physician who specializes in disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.

regurgitation (ree-gur-jih-TAY-shun)

the return of swallowed food into the mouth.

salmonellosis (sal-moh-nel-LOH-sis)

also referred to as salmonella, is transmitted by feces, either through direct contact with animals, or by eating contaminated raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs or unpasteurized milk products.

sigmoidoscopy (sig-moi-DOS-koh-pee)

the endoscopic examination of the interior of the rectum, the sigmoid colon, and possibly a portion of the descending colon.

stomatitis (stoh-mah-TYE-tis)

an inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth.

trismus (TRIZ-mus)

also known as lockjaw, describes any restriction to the opening of the mouth caused by trauma, surgery, or radiation associated with the treatment of oral cancer.

ulcerative colitis (UL-ser-ay-tiv koh-LYE-tis)

a chronic condition of unknown cause in which repeated episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large intestine cause ulcers (lesions in the mucous membrane) and irritation.

volvulus (VOL-view-lus)

the twisting of the intestine on itself, causing an obstruction.

xerostomia (zeer-oh-STOH-mee-ah)

also known as dry mouth, is the lack of adequate saliva due to diminished secretions by the salivary glands.