Medical Terminology for Gastrointestinal System and Diseases

an/o

anus, ring

chol/e

bile, gall

cholecyst/o

gallbladder

col/o

colon, large intestine

colon/o

colon, large intestine

-emesis

vomiting

enter/o

small intestine

esophag/o

esophagus

gastr/o

stomach, belly

hepat/o

liver

-lithiasis

presence of stones

-pepsia

digest, digestion

-phagia

eating, swallowing

proct/o

anus and rectum

rect/o

rectum, straight

sigmoid/o

sigmoid colon

aerophagia

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

anastomosis

a surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures.

antiemetic

medication administered to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.

ascites

an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

bariatrics

the branch of medicine for the prevention and management of obesity and associated diseases.

borborygmus

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

cachexia

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

canker sores

gray-white pits (aphthous ulcers) with a red border in the soft tissues lining the mouth.

celiac disease

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

cheilitis

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

cholangiography

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

cholangitis

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

cholecystectomy

surgical removal of the gallbladder.

cholecystitis

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

cholelithiasis

the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

cirrhosis

a chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by scarring.

colonoscopy

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

colostomy

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

Crohn's disease

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

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

diverticulitis

inflammation or infection of one or more diverticula, or sacs, formed in weak spots of the colon wall.

diverticulosis

the chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the wall of the colon.

dyspepsia

pain or discomfort in digestion.

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing.

endoscopy

a visual examination of internal structures.

enema

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

enteritis

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

eructation

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

esophageal varices

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

esophagogastroduodenoscopy

an endoscopic procedure that allows direct visualization of the upper GI tract.

gastroduodenostomy

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

gastroesophageal reflux disease

the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus.

gastroparesis

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

gastrostomy tube

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

hematemesis

the vomiting of coagulated blood.

Hemoccult test

a laboratory test for hidden blood in the stool.

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver usually caused by a viral infection.

hiatal hernia

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

hyperemesis

extreme, persistent vomiting that can cause dehydration.

ileus

partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine.

inguinal hernia

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

jaundice

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

leukoplakia

an abnormal white, usually benign lesion (sore) that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek, develop in response to chronic irritation in the mouth such as smoking, chewing tobacco, or constant rubbing against a broken tooth.

malocclusion

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

melena

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

nasogastric intubation

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

obesity

an excessive accumulation of fat in the body.

palatoplasty

surgical repair of a cleft palate or cleft lip.

peptic ulcer disease

a disease characterized by sores that affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system.

peristalsis

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

polyp

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

proctologist

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

regurgitation

the return of swallowed food into the mouth.

salmonellosis

an infectious disease 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

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

stomatitis

inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth.

trismus

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

ulcerative colitis

a chronic condition of unknown cause in which repeated episodes of inflammation of the rectum and large intestine cause ulcers and irritation.

volvulus

twisting of the intestine on itself, causing an obstruction.

xerostomia

the lack of adequate saliva due to diminished secretions by the salivary glands.

Gastroenteritis

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