GI Vocab

A

• Achalasia – A disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to relax, leading to difficulty swallowing and esophageal dilation.

• Ascites – Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, commonly due to portal hypertension or liver failure.

• Asterixis – A tremor of the hand when the wrist is extended; a flapping motion, often a sign of hepatic encephalopathy.

• Alcoholic Hepatitis – Inflammation of the liver caused by chronic alcohol use, leading to necrosis and potential progression to cirrhosis.

B

• Barrett’s Esophagus – A condition where chronic GERD leads to changes in the esophageal lining, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.

• Bilirubin – A yellow pigment formed from the breakdown of red blood cells, elevated in liver dysfunction leading to jaundice.

C

• Cirrhosis – Irreversible scarring of the liver due to long-term liver damage, often from alcohol, hepatitis, or fatty liver disease.

• Crohn’s Disease – A type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by patchy ("skip lesions") inflammation anywhere along the GI tract.

D

• Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing, possibly due to neurological, muscular, or structural issues.

• Diverticulitis – Inflammation or infection of diverticula (small bulges) in the colon, usually resulting in LLQ pain.

E

• Esophageal Varices – Swollen veins in the esophagus caused by portal hypertension, prone to rupture and serious bleeding.

• Esophagitis – Inflammation of the esophagus, often due to acid reflux or infection.

F

• Fatty Liver (Hepatic Steatosis) – Accumulation of fat in liver cells, often due to alcohol use or metabolic syndrome.

G

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) – A chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation.

• Gynecomastia – Enlargement of male breast tissue, which can occur in liver disease due to hormonal imbalances.

H

• Hepatic Encephalopathy – A decline in brain function due to severe liver disease, often associated with elevated ammonia levels.

• Hepatorenal Syndrome – Kidney failure secondary to severe liver disease, despite normal kidney structure.

• Hepatopulmonary Syndrome – Shortness of breath and hypoxemia due to liver disease-related vascular changes in the lungs.

I

• Icterus – Another term for jaundice; yellowing of the eyes and skin due to high bilirubin levels.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Chronic inflammation of the GI tract, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

J

• Jaundice – Yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera caused by increased bilirubin in the bloodstream.

L

• Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) – A muscular ring at the junction of the esophagus and stomach; its malfunction is linked to GERD.

M

• Melena – Black, tarry stool indicating an upper GI bleed.

• Mallory-Weiss Tear – A tear in the mucous membrane at the junction of the stomach and esophagus, often due to vomiting.

O

• Odynophagia – Painful swallowing, usually due to infection, inflammation, or ulcers.

P

• Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) – Erosion of the stomach or duodenal lining due to acid and pepsin, often caused by H. pylori or NSAIDs.

• Portal Hypertension – Increased pressure in the portal venous system, typically due to liver cirrhosis.

• Palmar Erythema – Redness of the palms associated with liver disease.

R

• Rectal Bleeding – Bright red blood from the rectum, suggesting lower GI pathology like hemorrhoids or diverticulosis.

S

• Spider Angiomas – Small, dilated blood vessels on the skin, commonly seen in chronic liver disease.

• Steatorrhea – Fatty, pale, foul-smelling stools due to malabsorption.

T

• Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) – A procedure to reduce portal hypertension by creating a channel between the portal and hepatic veins.

U

• Ulcerative Colitis – A form of IBD causing continuous inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum.

V

• Varices – Abnormally dilated veins; in the GI context, usually esophageal or gastric, linked to portal hypertension.