Med Term Chapter 11 - Digestive System Terms

mouth

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

tongue

major organ for taste and speech; consists mostly of skeletal muscle and is attached in the posterior region of the mouth. The tongue moves food for mastication and directs it to the pharynx for swallowing.

palate

roof of the mouth; 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

food and air passageway. Chewed food enters the pharynx from the mouth and is swallowed, directing it into the esophagus. Air enters the pharynx from the nasal cavities or mouth and passes into the larynx. (also called throat)

esophagus

10-inch (25-cm) tube that is a passageway for food extending from the pharynx to the stomach. Peristalsis, 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 that act locally to control digestive system functions.

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 smooth muscle that guards the opening between the stomach and the duodenum

small intestine

20-foot (6-m) 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.

duodenum

first 10 to 12 inches (25 cm) of the small intestine

jejunum

second portion of the small intestine, approximately 8 feet (2.4 m) long

ileum

third portion of the small intestine, approximately 11 feet (3.3 m) long, which connects with the large intestine

large intestine

approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) 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 (20 cm) 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 voluntary elimination of solid waste products of digestion.

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)

bile ducts

passageways that carry bile.

The hepatic duct collects bile formed in the liver. The cystic duct transports bile to and from the gallbladder for storage.

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

glandular organ that produces pancreatic juice, which helps digest all types of food; secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar

peritoneum

serous saclike lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavities

appendix

small pouch attached to the cecum. While its function is not fully understood, the appendix may play a role in supporting the immune system and maintaining beneficial microbes in the intestines. (also called vermiform appendix)

abdomen

portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

cheilitis

inflammation of the lips

cholangioma

tumor of the bile duct

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

choledocholithiasis

(kō-led-o-kō-li-THĪ-a-sis)

condition of stones in the common bile duct

cholelithiasis

condition of gallstones

colitis

inflammation of the colon

diverticulitis

inflammation of a diverticulum

diverticulosis

abnormal condition of having diverticula

dysentery

painful intestines (disorder that involves inflammation of the intestines, usually the large intestine, associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea that is often bloody)

enteritis

inflammation of the intestines

enteropathy

disease of the intestines

esophagitis

inflammation of the esophagus

gastritis

inflammation of the stomach

gastroenteritis

inflammation of the stomach and intestines

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

glossitis

inflammation of the tongue

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

hepatoma

tumor of the liver

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

peritonitis

inflammation of the peritoneum

polyposis

abnormal condition of (multiple) polyps (in the mucous membrane of the intestine, especially the colon.)

proctitis

inflammation of the rectum

rectocele

hernia of the rectum

sialolith

stone in the salivary gland

steatohepatitis

inflammation of the liver associated with (excess) fat; (often caused by alcohol abuse and obesity; over time may lead to cirrhosis)

stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth (mucous membrane)

uvulitis

inflammation of the uvula

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 that is responsible for absorption of food into the bloodstream.

Celiac disease is considered a multisystem disorder with varying signs and symptoms, including abdominal bloating and pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation, steatorrhea (excessive fat in the stool), vomiting, weight loss, fatigue, and iron deficiency anemia. A pruritic skin rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis may be associated with celiac disease. (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 gastrointestinal tract, usually affecting the ileum and colon (but can occur anywhere between the mouth and anus); characterized by cobblestone ulcerations and the formation of scar tissue that may lead to intestinal obstruction (also called regional ileitis or regional enteritis)

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)