Chapter 8 - GI

abdominal computed tomography (CT)

a radiographic procedure that produces a detailed cross-section of the tissue structure within the abdomen

abdominal ultrasound

a noninvasive test used to visualize internal organs by using very high frequency sound waves

absorption

the process by which completely digested nutrients are transported to the cells throughout the body

acid reducers

decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach

acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG)

caused by the abnormal growth of bacteria in the mouth

aerophagia

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

amebic dysentery

an intestinal disorder caused by a parasite

anabolism

the building up of body cells and substances from nutrients

anal fissure

a small crack-like sore in the skin of the anus that can cause severe pain during a bowel movement

anastomosis

a surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structures

anorexia

the loss of appetite for food, especially when caused by disease

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by a false perception of body appearance

anoscopy

the visual examination of the anal canal and lower rectum

antacids

neutralize the acids in the stomach

antiemetic

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

anus

the lower opening of the digestive tract

ascites

an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

bariatric surgery

performed to treat morbid obesity to restricting the amount of food that can enter the stomach and be digested

bariatrics

the branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and control of obesity and associated diseases

bile

a digestive juice secreted by the liver, aids in the digestion of fats

biliary tree

provides the channels through which bile is transported from the liver to the small intestine

bilirubin

yellow to green fluid, commonly known as bile. manufactured by the liver and is necessary for the digestion of fat.

body mass index (BMI)

a number that shows body weight adjusted for height

bolus

a mass of food that has been chewed and is ready to be swallowed

borborygmus

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

botulism

food poisoning characterized by paralysis and often death; caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum

bowel incontinence

the inability to control the excretion of feces

bruxism

the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth that usually occurs during sleep and is associated with tension or stress

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting

cachexia

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

capsule endoscopy

a tiny video camera in a capsule that the patient swallows

catabolism

the breaking down of body cells or substances, releasing energy and carbon dioxide

cecum

a pouch that lies on the right side of the abdomen

cheilosis

a disorder of the lips characterized by crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth

cholangiography

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

cholangitis

an acute infection of the bile duct

cholecystalgia

pain in the gallbladder

cholecystectomy

the surgical removal of the gallbladder

cholecystic

pertaining to the gallbladder

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder; usually associated with gallstones

choledocholithotomy

an incision into the common bile duct for the removal of gallstones

cholelithiasis

the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts

cholera

severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera

chyme

the semifluid mass of partly digested food that passes out of the stomach, through the pyloric sphincter, and into the small intestine

cirrhosis

a progressive degenerative disease of the liver

cleft lip

a birth defect in which there is a deep groove of the lip running upward to the nose as a result of the failure of this portion of the lip to close during prenatal development

cleft palate

the failure of the palate to close during the early development of the fetus

colectomy

the surgical removal of all, or part of, the colon

colon

the longest portion of the large intestine

colonoscopy

the direct visual examination of the inner surface of the entire colon from the rectum to the cecum

colorectal carcinoma

colon cancer

colostomy

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

constipation

having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week

Crohn's disease

a chronic autoimmune disorder that is most often found in the ileum and in the colon

defecation

the evacuation or emptying of the large intestine

dehydration

a condition in which fluid loss exceeds fluid intake and disrupts the body's normal electrolyte balance

dental calculus

dental plaque that has calcified (hardened) on the teeth

dental caries

an infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroy the enamel and dentin of the tooth; also known as tooth decay or a cavity

dental plaque

forms as soft deposits in sheltered areas near the gums and between the teeth

dental prophylaxis

the professional cleaning of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus

dentist

specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of teeth and tissues of the oral cavity

dentition

refers to the natural teeth arranged in the upper and lower jaws

descending colon

travels down the left side of the abdominal cavity to the sigmoid colon

diarrhea

an abnormal frequent flow of loose or watery stools that can lead to dehydration

digestion

the process by which complex foods are broken down into nutrients in a form the body can use

diverticulectomy

the surgical removal of a diverticulum

diverticulitis

the inflammation of one or more diverticula in the colon

diverticulosis

the presence of a number of diverticula in the colon

duodenum

the first portion of the small intestine; extends from the pylorus to the jejunum

dyspepsia

pain or discomfort in digestion; also known as indigestion

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing

edentulous

without teeth

emesis

the reflex ejection of the stomach contents through the mouth; also known as vomiting

endoscope

an instrument used for 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 eating or drinking substances contaminated with viral and bacterial pathogens

epiglottis

a lid-like structure that closes off the entrance to the trachea (windpipe) to prevent food and liquids from moving from the pharynx during swallowing

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 examination of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum

esophagus

the muscular tube through which ingested food passes from the pharynx to the stomach

feces

solid body wastes expelled through the rectum and anus

flatulence

the passage of gas out of the body through the rectum

gallbladder

a pear-shaped organ about the size of an egg located under the liver

gallstone

a hard deposit formed in the gallbladder and bile ducts due to the concretion of bile components

gastrectomy

the surgical removal of all or part of the stomach

gastritis

a common inflammation of the stomach lining

gastroduodenostomy

the removal of the pylorus of the stomach and the establishment of an anastomosis between the upper portion of the stomach and the duodenum

gastroenteritis

an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the stomach and intestines

gastroenterologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the stomach and intestines

gastroesophageal reflux disease

the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus

gastrointestinal tract

the structures of the digestive system

gastrorrhea

the excessive secretion of gastric juice or mucous in the stomach

gastrostomy tube

a surgically placed feeding tube from the exterior of the body into the stomach

gingiva

the specialized mucous membrane that surrounds the teeth, covers the bone of the dental arches, and lines the cheeks; also known as the gums

gingivectomy

the surgical removal or diseased gingival tissue

gingivitis

the earliest stage of periodontal disease, and the inflammation affects only the gums

halitosis

an unpleasant odor coming from the mouth that can be caused by dental diseases or respiratory or gastric disorders; also known as bad breath

hard palate

the bony anterior portion of the palate that is covered with specialized mucous membrane

hematemesis

vomiting blood