DIGESTION

anus - The distal opening of the digestive tract

- (root an/o)

appendix - An appendage

- usually means the narrow tube attached to the cecum, the vermiform (wormlike) appendix

bile - The fluid secreted by the liver that aids in the digestion and absorption of fats

- (roots chol/e, bili)

cecum - A blind pouch at the beginning of the large intestine

- (root cec/o)

colon - The major portion of the large intestine

- extends from the cecum to the rectum and is formed by ascending, transverse, and descending portions

- (root col/o, colon/o)

common bile duct - The duct that carries bile into the duodenum

- formed by the union of the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct

- (root choledoch/o)

duodenum - The first portion of the small intestine

- (root duoden/o)

esophagus - The muscular tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach

- The opening of the esophagus into the stomach is controlled by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

- (root esphag/o)

feces - The waste material eliminated from the intestine

- (adjective, fecal)

- stool

gallbladder - A sac on the undersurface of the liver that stores bile

- (root cholecyst/o)

hepatic portal system - A special pathway of the circulation that brings blood directly from the abdominal organs to the liver for processing (also called simply the portal system)

- The vessel that enters the liver is the hepatic portal vein (portal vein)

ileum - The terminal portion of the small intestine

- (root ile/o)

intestine - The portion of the digestive tract between the stomach and the anus

- It consists of the small intestine and large intestine

- It functions in digestion, absorption, and elimination of waste

- (root enter/o)

jejunum - The middle portion of the small intestine

- (root jejun/o)

liver - The large gland in the upper right part of the abdomen

- In addition to many other functions, it secretes bile for digestion of fats

- (root hepat/o)

mastication - Chewing

pancreas - A large, elongated gland behind the stomach

- It produces hormones that regulate sugar metabolism and also produces digestive enzymes

- (root pancreat/o)

palate - The roof of the mouth

- the partition between the mouth and nasal cavity

- consists of an anterior portion formed by bone, the hard palate, and a posterior portion formed of tissue, the soft palate

- (root palat/o)

peristalsis - Wavelike contractions of the walls of an organ

pylorus - The distal opening of the stomach into the duodenum

- The opening is controlled by a ring of muscle, the pyloric sphincter

- (root pylor/o)

rectum - The distal portion of the large intestine

- It stores and eliminates undigested waste

- (root rect/o, proct/o)

saliva - The clear secretion released into the mouth that moistens food and contains an enzyme that digests starch

- It is produced by three pairs of glands: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands

- (root sial/o)

stomach - A muscular saclike organ below the diaphragm that stores food and secretes juices that digest proteins

- (root gastr/o)

villi - Tiny projections in the lining of the small intestine that absorb digested foods into the circulation

- (singular, villus)

or/o - mouth

perioral - around the mouth

stoma, stomat/o - mouth

stomatitis - inflammation of the mouth

gnath/o - jaw

prognathous - having a projecting jaw

labi/o - lip

labiodental - pertaining to the lip and teeth

bucc/o - cheek

buccoversion - turning toward the cheek

dent/o, dent/i - tooth, teeth

dentifrice - a substance used to clean the teeth

odont/o - tooth, teeth

periodontist - dentist who treats the tissues around the teeth

gingiv/o - gum (gingiva)

gingivectomy - excision of gum tissue

lingu/o - tongue

sublingual - under the tongue

gloss/o - tongue

glossopharyngeal - pertaining to the tongue and pharynx

sial/o - saliva, salivary gland, salivary duct

sialogram - radiograph of the salivary glands and ducts

palat/o - palate

palatorrhaphy - suture of the palate

oral or stomal - pertaining to the mouth

dental - pertaining to the teeth

gingival - pertaining to the gums

lingual or glossal - pertaining to the tongue

buccal - pertaining to the cheek

labial - pertaining to the lip

Micrognathia - excessive smallness of the jaw

Hemiglossal - pertaining to one half of the tongue

Stomatosis - any disease condition of the mouth

The oropharynx is the part of the pharynx that is located behind the mouth

sialolith - a stone formed in a salivary gland or duct

Orthodontics - the branch of dentistry that deals with straightening (ortho-) of the teeth

Xerostomia - dryness of the mouth

orolingual - pertaining to the mouth and tongue

palatine - pertaining to the palate

gingivitis - inflammation of the gums

glossolabial - pertaining to the tongue and lip

extrabuccal - outside the cheek

esophag/o - esophagus

esophageal - pertaining to the esophagus

gastr/o - stomach

gastroparesis - partial paralysis of the stomach

pylor/o - pylorus

pylorostenosis - narrowing of the pylorus

enter/o - intestine

dysentery - infectious disease of the intestine

duoden/o - duodenum

duodenoscopy - endoscopic examination of the duodenum

jejun/o - jejunum

jejunotomy - incision of the jejunum

ile/o - ileum

ileectomy - excision of the ileum

cec/o - cecum

cecoptosis - downward displacement of the cecum

col/o, colon/o - colon

colocentesis - surgical puncture of the colon

sigmoid/o - sigmoid colon

sigmoidoscope - an endoscope for examining the sigmoid colon

rect/o - rectum

rectocele - hernia of the rectum

proct/o - rectum

proctopexy - surgical fixation of the rectum

an/o - anus

transanal - through the anus

enteric - pertaining to the intestine

gastric - pertaining to the stomach

colic or colonic - pertaining to the colon

pyloric - pertaining to the pylorus

duodenal - pertaining to the duodenum

cecal - pertaining to the cecum

jejunal - pertaining to the jejunum

ileal or ileac- pertaining to the ileum

rectal - pertaining to the rectum

anal - pertaining to the anus

gastropexy - surgical fixation of the stomach

esophagoscopy - endoscopic examination of the esophagus

pyloroplasty - plastic repair of the pylorus

ileitis - inflammation of the ileum

duodenostomy - surgical creation of an opening into the duodenum

ileostomy - surgical creation of an opening into the ileum

gastroenterology - study of the stomach and intestines

colitits - inflammation of the colon

colopexy - surgical fixation of the colon

colostomy - surgical creation of an opening into the colon

coloclysis - irrigation (-clysis) of the colon

colonopathy - any disease of the colon

colonoscopy - endoscopic examination of the colon

esophagogastrostomy - surgical creation of a passage between the esophagus and stomach

gastroenterostomy - surgical creation of a passage between the stomach and intestine

gastrojejunostomy - surgical creation of a passage between the stomach and the jejunum

duodenoileostomy - surgical creation of a passage between the duodenum and the ileum

pyloric stenosis splenomegaly sple -no -MEG-a-le ulcerative colitis UL-ser-a-tiv ko -LI _-tis volvulus- surgical creation of a passage between the sigmoid colon and the rectum (proct/o)

hepat/o - liver

hepatocyte - a liver cell

bili - bile

biliary - pertaining to the bile or bile ducts

chol/e, chol/o - bile, gall

cholelith - gallstone, biliary calculus

cholecyst/o - gallbladder

cholecystorrhaphy - suture of the gallbladder

cholangi/o - bile duct

cholangiogram - radiograph of the bile ducts

choledoch/o - common bile duct

choledochal - pertaining to the common bile duct

pancreat/o - pancreas

pancreatolysis - dissolving of the pancreas

hepatic - pertaining to the liver

cholecystic - pertaining to the gallbladder

pancreatic - pertaining to the pancreas

cholangiography - radiographic study of the bile ducts

hepatography - radiographic study of the liver

cholecystography - radiographic study of the gallbladder

pancreatography - radiographic study of the pancreas

choledocholithiasis - condition of having a stone in the common bile duct

pancreatolithiasis - condition of having a stone in the pancreas

biligenesis - the formation of bile

Choledochotomy - incision of the common bile duct

Hepatomegaly - enlargement of the liver

hepatitis - inflammation of the liver

Cholangitis - inflammation of a bile duct

appendicitis - Inflammation of the appendix

ascites - Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

- a form of edema

- May be caused by heart disease, lymphatic or venous obstruction, cirrhosis, or changes in plasma composition.

bilirubin - A pigment released in the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells

- mainly excreted by the liver in bile

cholecystitis - Inflammation of the gallbladder

cholelithiasis - The condition of having stones in the gallbladder

- also used to refer to stones in the common bile duct

cirrhosis - Chronic liver disease with degeneration of liver tissue

colic - Acute abdominal pain, such as biliary colic caused by gallstones in the bile ducts

Crohn disease - A chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract usually involving the ileum

diarrhea - The frequent passage of watery bowel movements

diverticulitis - Inflammation of diverticula (small pouches) in the wall of the digestive tract, especially in the colon

diverticulosis - The presence of diverticula, especially in the colon

dysphagia - Difficulty in swallowing

emesis - Vomiting

fistula - An abnormal passageway between two organs or from an organ to the body surface, such as between the rectum and anus (anorectal fistula)

gastroenteritis - Inflammation of the stomach and intestine

hemorrhoids - Varicose veins in the rectum associated with pain, bleeding, and sometimes prolapse of the rectum

hepatitis - Inflammation of the liver

hepatomegaly - Enlargement of the liver

hiatal hernia - A protrusion of the stomach through the opening (hiatus) in the diaphragm through which the esophagus passes

icterus - Jaundice

ileus - Intestinal obstruction

intussusception - Slipping of one part of the intestine into another part below it

- Occurs mainly in male infants in the ileocecal region

- May be fatal if untreated for more than 1 day.

jaundice - A yellowish color of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eye caused by bile pigments in the blood (from French jaune meaning “yellow”)

• The main pigment is bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells.

nausea - An unpleasant sensation in the upper abdomen that often precedes vomiting

occult blood - Blood present in such small amounts that it can be detected only microscopically or chemically

pancreatitis - Inflammation of the pancreas

peptic ulcer - A lesion in the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum caused by the action of gastric juice

peritonitis - Inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs

polyp - A tumor that grows on a stalk and bleeds easily

portal hypertension - An abnormal increase in pressure in the hepatic portal system

pyloric stenosis - Narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the duodenum

- pylorostenosis

splenomegaly - Enlargement of the spleen

ulcerative colitis - Chronic ulceration of the colon of unknown cause

volvulus - Twisting of the intestine resulting in obstruction

anastomosis - A passage or communication between two vessels or organs

- May be normal or pathologic, or may be created surgically

barium study - Use of barium sulfate as a liquid contrast medium for fluoroscopic or radiographic study of the digestive tract

cholecystectomy - Surgical removal of the gallbladder

Dukes classification - A system for staging colorectal cancer based on degree of penetration of the bowel wall and lymph node involvement

- severity is graded from A to C

endoscopy - Use of a fiberoptic endoscope for direct visual examination

ERCP - Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

- a technique for viewing the pancreatic and bile ducts and for performing certain techniques to relieve obstructions

- Contrast medium is injected into the biliary system from the duodenum and radiographs are taken

ostomy - An opening into the body

- generally refers to an opening created for elimination of body waste

stoma - A surgically created opening to the body surface or between two organs (literally “mouth”)

bolus - A mass, such as the rounded mass of food that is swallowed

cardia - The part of the stomach near the esophagus, named for its closeness to the heart

chyme - The semiliquid partially digested food that moves from the stomach into the small intestine

defecation - The evacuation of feces from the rectum

deglutition - Swallowing

duodenal bulb - The part of the duodenum near the pylorus

- the first bend (flexure) of the duodenum

duodenal papilla - The raised area where the common bile duct and pancreatic duct enter the duodenum

- papilla of Vater

greater omentum - A fold of the peritoneum that extends from the stomach over the abdominal organs

hepatic flexure - The right bend of the colon, forming the junction between the ascending colon and the transverse colon

ileocecal valve - A valvelike structure between the ileum of the small intestine and the cecum of the large intestine

mesentery - The portion of the peritoneum that folds over and supports the intestine

mesocolon - The portion of the peritoneum that folds over and supports the colon

peritoneum - The serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and supports the abdominal organs

rugae - The large folds in the lining of the stomach seen when the stomach is empty

sphincter of Oddi - The ring of muscle at the opening of the common bile duct into the duodenum

splenic flexure - The left bend of the colon, forming the junction between the trans verse colon and the descending colon

uvula - A hanging fleshy mass

- Usually means the mass that hangs from the soft palate

achalasia - Failure of a smooth muscle to relax, especially the lower esophageal sphincter, so that food is retained in the esophagus

achlorhydria - Lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach

- opposite is hyperchlorhydria

anorexia - Loss of appetite

• Anorexia nervosa - a psychologically induced refusal or inability to eat

  - (adjective, anorectic, anorexic)

aphagia - Refusal or inability to eat

- inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing

aphthous ulcer - A small ulcer in the mucous membrane of the mouth

bulimia - Excessive, insatiable appetite

- A disorder characterized by overeating followed by induced vomiting, diarrhea, or fasting

cachexia - Profound ill health, malnutrition, and wasting

caries - Tooth decay

celiac disease - A disease characterized by the inability to absorb foods containing gluten

cheilosis - Cracking at the corners of the mouth, often caused by B vitamin deficiency

- (root cheil/o means “lip”)

cholestasis - Stoppage of bile flow

constipation - Infrequency or difficulty in defecation and the passage of hard, dry feces

dyspepsia - Poor or painful digestion

eructation - Belching

familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) - A heredity condition in which multiple polyps form in the colon and rectum, predisposing to colorectal cancer

flatulence - Condition of having gas or air in the GI tract

flatus - Gas or air in the gastrointestinal tract

- gas or air expelled through the anus

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - Backflow of gastric contents into the esophagus

- May result in inflammation and damage to the esophagus; heartburn

hematemesis - Vomiting of blood

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - A chronic stress-related disease characterized by diarrhea, constipation, and pain associated with rhythmic contractions of the intestine

- Mucous colitis or spastic colon

megacolon - An extremely dilated colon

- Usually congenital but may occur in acute ulcerative colitis.

melena - Black tarry feces resulting from blood in the intestines

- Common in newborns

- May also be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding.

obstipation - Extreme constipation

pernicious anemia - A form of anemia caused by failure of the stomach to secrete a sub stance (intrinsic factor) needed for the absorption of vitamin B₁₂

pilonidal cyst - A dermal cyst in the region of the sacrum, usually at the top of the cleft between the buttocks

regurgitation - A backward flowing, such as the backflow of undigested food

appendectomy - Surgical removal of the appendix

Billroth operations - Gastrectomy with anastomosis of the stomach to the duodenum (Billroth I) or to the jejunum (Billroth II)

gavage - Process of feeding through a nasogastric tube into the stomach

lavage - Washing out of a cavity

- irrigation

manometry - Measurement of pressure; pertaining to the GI tract, measurement of pressure in the portal system as a sign of obstruction

Murphy sign - Inability to take a deep breath when fingers are pressed firmly below the right arch of the ribs (below the liver)

- Signifies gallbladder disease

nasogastric (NG) tube - Tube that is passed through the nose into the stomach

- May be used for emptying the stomach, administering medication, giving liquids, or sampling stomach contents.

parenteral hyperalimentation - Complete intravenous feeding for one who cannot take in food

- Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube - Tube inserted into the stomach for long-term feeding

vagotomy - Interruption of impulses from the vagus nerve to reduce stomach secretions in the treatment of gastric ulcer

antacid - Agent that counteracts acidity, usually gastric acidity

antidiarrheal - Treats or prevents diarrhea by reducing intestinal motility or absorb ing irritants and soothing the intestinal lining

antiemetic - Agent that relieves or prevents nausea and vomiting

antiflatulent - Agent that prevents or relieves flatulence

antispasmodic - Agent that relieves spasm, usually of smooth muscle

emetic - An agent that causes vomiting

histamine H₂ antagonist - Drug that decreases secretion of stomach acid by interfering with the action of histamine at H₂ receptors

- Used to treat ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems

laxative - Promotes elimination from the large intestine

- Types include stimulants, substances that retain water (hyperosmotics), stool softeners, and bulk-forming agents

ABBREVIATIONS

BE - Barium enema (for radiographic study of the colon)

BM - Bowel movement

CBD - Common bile duct

ERCP - Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography

FAP - Familial adenomatous polyposis

GERD - Gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI - Gastrointestinal

HAV - Hepatitis A virus

HBV - Hepatitis B virus

HCV - Hepatitis C virus

HDV - Hepatitis D virus

HEV - Hepatitis E virus

HCl - Hydrochloric acid

IBD - Inflammatory bowel disease

IBS - Inflammatory bowel syndrome

NG - Nasogastric (tube)

N & V - Nausea and vomiting

N/V/D - Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

ponv - Postoperative nausea and vomiting

TPN - Total parenteral nutrition

UGI - Upper gastrointestinal (radiograph series)