Chapter 9: Digestive System

Alimentary

Pertaining to the digestive tract

Anus

terminal opening of the digestive tract through which feces are discharged

Bariatric

treatment of obesity

Digestion

breakdown of food into elements suitable for cell metabolism

Esophagus

tube linking the pharynx and the stomach

Gastroenterology

medical specialty of the stomach and intestines

Intestine

the digestive tube from the stomach to the anus

Laparoscopy

examination of the components of abdomen using and endoscope

Laparoscope

instrument used for viewing abdominal contents

Nutrient

a substance in food required for normal physiologic function

Nutrition

the study of food and liquid requirements for normal function of the human body

Amylase

one of a group on enzymes that breaks down starch

Bolus

a single mass of a substance

Deglutition

the act of swallowing

Elimination

removal of waste material from the digestive tract

Enzyme

protein that induces changes in other substances

Lipase

enzyme that breaks down fat

Masticate

to chew

Peristalsis

waves of alternate contraction and relaxation of the intestinal wall to move along the digestive tract

Protease

group on enzymes that breaks down protein

Dentine

dense, ivory like substance located under the enamel of a tooth

Dentist

qualified practitioner in the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the oral-facial complex

Enamel

hard substance covering a tooth

Mouth

external opening of a cavity or canal

Nasopharynx

region of the pharynx at the back of the nose and the soft palate

Palate

roof of the mouth

Papilla

any small projection

Parotid

the salivary gland beside the ear

Pulp

the connective tissue in the cavity in the center of the tooth

Saliva

secretion in the mouth from salivary glands

Sublingual

underneath the tongue

Tongue

mobile muscle mass in the mouth; bears the taste buds

Uvula

fleshy projection of the soft palate

Aphthous

painful small oral ulcers (canker sores)

Caries

bacterial deconstruction of teeth

Gingiva

tissue surrounding the teeth and covering the jaw

Gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

Gingivectomy

surgical removal of diseased gum tissue

Halitosis

bad odor/bad breath

Periodontal

around a tooth

Periodontist

specialist in periodontics

Plaque

patch of abnormal tissue

Pyorrhea

purulent discharge

Stomatitis

inflammation of the mucous membrane in the mouth

Tartar

calcified deposit at the gingival margin of the teeth

Thrush

infection with candida albicans

Dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

Emesis

Vomit

Hematemesis

vomiting of red blood

Esophagus

tube linking pharynx to the stomach

Hernia

protrusion of a structure through the tissue that normally contains it

Herniorrhaphy

repair of a hernia

Hiatus

an opening through a structure

Reflux

backwards flow

Sphincter

a band of muscle that encircles an opening; when it contracts, the opening squeezes closed

Varix

Dilated, tortuous vein

What does the root -dent- mean

tooth

what does the root -or- mean

mouth

what does the root -halit- mean

breath

what is the meaning of the combining form enter/o

intestine

Chyme

semifluid, partially digested food passed from the stomach into the duodenum 

duodenum

the first part of the small intestine; approximately twelve finger breaths in lengths 

Gastrin

hormone secreted in the stomach that stimulated secretion and HCL and increases gastric motility 

Hydrochloric

the acid of gastric juice

Intrinsic Factor

makes the absorption of vitamin B12 happen

Mucus

sticky secretion of cells in mucous membranes  

Pepsin

enzyme produced by the stomach that breaks down protein 

Pylorus

exit area of the stomach

Cecum

blind pouch that is the first part of the large intestine

Dyspepsia

“upset stomach” epigastric pain, nausea, and gas

Ileum

third portion of the small intestine

Indigestion

symptoms resulting from difficulty in digesting food 

Jejunum

segment of small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum 

Peptic

relating to the stomach and duodenum

Perforation

a hold through the wall of a structure 

Celiac

relating to the abdominal cavity 

Giardia

parasite that can affect the small intestine 

Gluten

insoluble protein found in wheat, barley, and rye

Ileus

dynamic of mechanical obstruction of the small intestine

Intussusception

the slippage of one part of the bowel inside another, causing obstruction 

bile

fluid secreted by the liver into the duodenum

Bile Acids

steroids synthesized from cholesterol

Bilirubin

bile pigment formed in the liver from hemoglobin

Cirrhosis

extensive fibrotic liver disease

Glycogen

the body’s principal carbohydrate reserve, stored in the liver and skeletal muscle 

Hepatic

pertaining to the liver

Jaundice

yellow staining of tissues with bile pigments, including bilirubin 

Liver

body’s largest organ located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen

Pedal

pertaining to the foot

Cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder

Cholecystectomy

surgical removal of the gallbladder 

Choledocholithiasis

presence of a gallstone in the common bile duct 

Cholelithiasis

condition of having bile stones

Cholelithtomy

surgical removal of a gallstone

Endocrine

a gland that produces an internal or hormonal substance and secretes it into the bloodstream

Exocrine

a gland that secretes substances outwardly through excretory ducts 

Gallstone

hard mass of cholesterol, calcium, and bilirubin that can be formed in the gallbladder and bile duct 

Gallbladder

receptacle on the inferior surface of the liver for storing bile 

Glucagon

hormone that mobilizes glucose from body storage 

Insulin

pancreatic hormone that suppresses blood glucose levels and transports glucose into cells