vocabulary

Gastrointestinal Specialists

• Order diagnostics and procedures for GI tract conditions.

Specialized Physicians

• Gastroenterologist: Specializes in stomach and intestine disorders.
• Proctologist: Specializes in disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.

Diagnostic Techniques

• Imaging Studies:
  • CT scan of the abdomen.
  • Abdominal ultrasound.
  • X-ray of bile ducts.
• Endoscopy: Direct visualization of GI tract (anus, stomach, rectum).

Surgical Procedures

• Colectomy:
  • Partial colectomy: Removal of part of the colon.
  • Total colectomy: Complete removal of the colon.
• Ostomy: Surgical creation of an opening.
  • Colostomy: Opening between colon and skin; the opening is referred to as a stoma (from Greek "stoma" meaning mouth or opening).