Medical terminology

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the functions of the digestive system:

    • Alimentation: The process of providing nourishment.

    • Ingestion: The intake of food.

    • Digestion: The breakdown of food into smaller components.

    • Absorption: The uptake of nutrients into the bloodstream.

    • Elimination: The removal of waste products from the body (defecation).

  • Recognize and write meanings of Chapter 9 word parts; use them to build and analyze terms.

  • Match structures of the digestive system with their descriptions.

  • Identify and match diagnostic terms and pathologies related to the digestive system with provided descriptions.

  • Recognize surgical and therapeutic interventions for the digestive system; match terms with descriptions, or write names when given descriptions.

  • Spell terms for the digestive system correctly.

Functions of the Digestive System

  • Key Functions:

    • Alimentation

    • Ingestion

    • Digestion

    • Absorption

    • Elimination (Defecation)

Enzymes and Sugars

  • Enzymes:

    • Lactase: Breaks down lactose into glucose.

    • Amylase: Breaks down starches into sugars.

    • Protease: Breaks down proteins into amino acids.

    • Proteinase: Functions similarly to protease.

    • Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

  • Sugars:

    • Lactose: Sugar found in milk.

    • Glucose: Simple sugar used by the body for energy.

Word Parts Related to Digestion

  • Common Prefixes and Suffixes:

    • -ation: denoting action or process.

    • bil/i: relating to bile.

    • chol/e: pertaining to bile.

    • cirrh/o: meaning orange-yellow.

    • de-: indicating down or removal.

    • glycos/o: relating to sugar.

Structures of the Digestive System

  1. Liver

  2. Tongue

  3. Tooth

  4. Salivary gland

  5. Gallbladder

  6. Appendix

  7. Rectum

  8. Spleen

  9. Pancreas

  10. Duodenum

  11. Ileum

  12. Jejunum

Combining Forms for Digestive System Structures

  • Intestinal Terms:

    • intestin/o: intestines

    • enter/o: intestines

    • duoden/o: duodenum

    • jejun/o: jejunum

    • ile/o: ileum

    • col/o: colon or large intestine

    • append/o, appendic/o: appendix

    • esophag/o: esophagus

    • gastr/o: stomach

Specialists in Digestion

  • Gastroenterologists: Specialists in gastrointestinal health; practice gastroenterology.

  • Proctologist: Focuses on the rectum and anus.

Accessory Organs of Digestion - Combining Forms

  • cholecyst/o: gallbladder

  • choledoch/o: common bile duct

  • hepat/o: liver

  • pancreat/o: pancreas

  • sial/o: salivary gland

Disorders of the Biliary Tract and Pancreas

  • Common Disorders:

    • Cholelithiasis: Gallstones in the gallbladder.

    • Choledocholithiasis: Gallstones in the common bile duct.

    • Pancreatolithiasis: Calculi in the pancreas.

    • Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas.

  • Procedures:

    • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Imaging technique to view the bile and pancreatic ducts.

Diseases: Insulin Dysfunctions of the Pancreas

  • Diabetes Mellitus Types:

    • Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin-dependent diabetes.

    • Type 2 Diabetes: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

    • Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes occurring during pregnancy.

  • Common Symptoms:

    • Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar.

    • Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar.

    • Polyuria: Frequent urination.

    • Polydipsia: Increased thirst.

    • Polyphagia: Increased hunger.

    • Glycosuria: Glucose in urine.

Diseases and Disorders: The Esophagus

  • Conditions:

    • Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing.

    • Esophageal varices: Swollen veins in the esophagus.

    • Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus.

    • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Acid reflux condition.

Diseases and Disorders: The Gallbladder

  • Conditions:

    • Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder.

    • Cholestasis: Impaired bile flow.

    • Cholangitis: Infection of the bile ducts.

  • Diagnostic Procedures:

    • Cholecystography: Imaging of the gallbladder.

    • Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

    • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Minimally invasive gallbladder surgery.

Causes of Upper GI Bleeding

  • Conditions contributing to upper GI bleeding include:

    • Esophageal varices

    • Esophageal cancer

    • Duodenal ulcer

    • Gastric ulcer

    • Gastric cancer

    • Gastritis

Biliary Lithotripsy

  • Procedure:

    • Uses ultrasound to break up gallstones in the gallbladder.

  • Components:

    • Gallbladder

    • Gallstones

    • Ultrasound probe

    • Lithotriptor: Device that applies shock waves.