module 4 - word list

Abdominoplasty – A surgical procedure (tummy tuck) that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles.

Celiac – Relating to the abdomen; often refers to celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where ingestion of gluten damages the small intestine.

Colostomy – A surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall for the colon to pass stool outside the body.

Anorexia – Lack or loss of appetite; can also refer to anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by restrictive food intake and excessive weight loss.

Cholangiography – A radiographic (X-ray) examination of the bile ducts, often using contrast dye, to detect blockages or abnormalities.

Crohn Disease – A chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the lining of the digestive tract, often leading to pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition.

Appendectomy – Surgical removal of the appendix, usually performed due to appendicitis.

Etiology – The study or cause of a disease or medical condition.

Jaundice – Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels, often associated with liver disease or bile duct obstruction.

Postprandial – Occurring after a meal (e.g., postprandial glucose refers to blood sugar levels after eating).

Flatus – Gas in the digestive tract, commonly expelled as flatulence (passing gas).

Lower GI Series – A barium enema, a radiographic exam of the large intestine using contrast material to detect abnormalities.

Pyloric Sphincter – A ring of muscle at the junction between the stomach and small intestine, regulating the passage of food.

Gastrorrhagia – Bleeding from the stomach.

Mastication – The process of chewing food to aid digestion.

Stomatitis – Inflammation of the mouth, often due to infection, irritation, or autoimmune conditions.

Hematemesis – Vomiting of blood, indicating gastrointestinal bleeding.

Nasogastric Intubation – The insertion of a tube through the nose into the stomach for feeding, medication delivery, or gastric decompression.

Stool Guaiac – A test that detects hidden (occult) blood in stool, often used for diagnosing gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hemoptysis – Coughing up blood, typically from the lungs or airways.

Palatoplasty – Surgical repair of the palate, often done to correct cleft palate.

Sublingual – Located under the tongue; often refers to the administration of medication (e.g., sublingual tablets dissolve under the tongue for rapid absorption).

Hepatomegaly – Enlargement of the liver, often due to infection, liver disease, or congestion.

Paracentesis – A procedure in which fluid is removed from the peritoneal cavity (abdomen) using a needle, often for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Villi – Tiny finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Herniorrhaphy – Surgical repair of a hernia.

Parenteral – Administering substances (e.g., nutrition, medication) by injection rather than through the digestive tract (e.g., parenteral nutrition).

Upper GI Series – A radiographic examination of the upper digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and small intestine) using barium contrast.

Hiatal Hernia – A condition in which part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.

Peristalsis – The involuntary wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Volvulus – A twisting of the intestine that can cause obstruction and restrict blood flow, requiring emergency treatment.

Hypoglossal – Related to or beneath the tongue; also refers to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement.

Pharyngeal – Related to the pharynx (throat), which connects the mouth and nasal passages to the esophagus and larynx.

Idiopathic – A term used when a disease or condition arises spontaneously or has no known cause.

Polyphagia – Excessive hunger or eating, often associated with diabetes or metabolic disorders.

Cholecystectomy – Surgical removal of the gallbladder, often due to gallstones.

Duodenum – The first section of the small intestine, connecting the stomach to the jejunum.

Appendix – A small, tube-like structure attached to the large intestine; its function is not well understood, but it can become inflamed (appendicitis).

Choledochotomy – A surgical incision into the common bile duct, often performed to remove gallstones.

Ascites – Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often caused by liver disease or cancer.

Cholelithiasis – The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Dyspepsia – Indigestion; discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, often due to acid reflux or other digestive disorders.

Atresia – A congenital condition where a normal opening or passage in the body is absent or closed (e.g., esophageal atresia is when the esophagus does not form properly).

Cholestasis – Reduced or blocked bile flow from the liver, which can cause jaundice and digestive issues.

Appendectomy – A surgical removal of the appendix, usually performed due to appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix).

Etiology – The study of the cause or origin of a disease or medical condition.

Jaundice – A yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin in the blood, often related to liver disease or bile duct obstruction.

Postprandial – Occurring after a meal (e.g., postprandial glucose levels refer to blood sugar levels after eating).

Flatus – The medical term for gas in the digestive tract, commonly expelled as flatulence.

Lower GI Series – A radiographic (X-ray) examination of the large intestine (colon) using a contrast material, often barium, to detect abnormalities.

Pyloric Sphincter – A ring of muscle that controls the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

Gastrorrhagia – Excessive bleeding from the stomach.

Mastication – The process of chewing food to aid digestion.

Stomatitis – Inflammation of the mouth, which may result from infection, irritation, or medical conditions.

Hematemesis – The vomiting of blood, often indicating gastrointestinal bleeding.

Nasogastric Intubation – The insertion of a tube through the nose into the stomach, commonly used for feeding or removing stomach contents.

Stool Guaiac – A diagnostic test used to detect hidden (occult) blood in stool, often used for colon cancer screening.

Hemoptysis – The coughing up of blood, usually from the respiratory tract.

Palatoplasty – A surgical procedure to repair a cleft palate.

Sublingual – Located under the tongue; often refers to medications administered beneath the tongue for quick absorption.

Hepatomegaly – Enlargement of the liver, which can indicate liver disease or other medical conditions.

Paracentesis – A procedure to remove fluid from the abdominal cavity, often used to treat ascites (fluid buildup due to liver disease).

Villi – Small, finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Herniorrhaphy – Surgical repair of a hernia.

Parenteral – Administering nutrition or medication by routes other than the digestive tract (e.g., intravenous fluids).

Upper GI Series – A radiographic (X-ray) examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine using contrast material (barium) to detect abnormalities.

Hiatal Hernia – A condition where part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity, sometimes causing acid reflux.

Peristalsis – The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Volvulus – A twisting of the intestine, which can block blood flow and lead to a medical emergency.

Hypoglossal – Referring to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement.

Pharyngeal – Related to the pharynx, the throat area behind the mouth and nasal cavity.

Idiopathic – A term used when the cause of a disease is unknown.

Polyphagia – Excessive hunger or increased appetite, often associated with diabetes.

Cholecystectomy – Surgical removal of the gallbladder, often performed due to gallstones.

Duodenum – The first part of the small intestine, where most digestion occurs.

Appendix – A small pouch attached to the cecum (beginning of the large intestine) can become inflamed in appendicitis.

Choledochotomy – A surgical incision into the common bile duct, often to remove gallstones.

Ascites – The abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, often due to liver disease.

Cholelithiasis – The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder.

Dyspepsia – Indigestion or discomfort in the upper abdomen.

Atresia – A congenital condition where a body passage (such as the esophagus or bile duct) is abnormally closed or absent.

Cholestasis – A condition where bile flow from the liver is slowed or blocked, leading to jaundice.

Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing, which can be caused by neurological disorders or structural issues in the esophagus.

Bile – A digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which helps break down fats.

Cirrhosis – Chronic liver damage leading to scarring and impaired function, often caused by alcohol abuse or hepatitis.

Emulsification – The breakdown of large fat droplets into smaller ones, aided by bile, to facilitate digestion and absorption.