5. Gastrointestinal System Flashcards
-al, -ary
pertaining to
-cele
herniation
-chalasia
condition of relaxation
-chezia
condition of stools
-gen
producing, produced by
-ose
full of, pertaining to
-plakia
condition of patches
-stalsis
contraction
-tresia
condition of an opening
abdomino, celio, laparo
abdomen
achalasia
ack uh LAY zsa
impairment of esophageal peristalsis along with the lower esophageal sphincter’s (LES) inability to relax
AKA cardiospasm, esophageal aperistalsis, and megaesophagus
acute peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum that most commonly occurs when an inflamed appendix ruptures
adenocarcinoma
ad den oh kar sin OH mah
a malignant tumor of epithelial origin that either originates from glandular tissue or has a glandular appearance
adenocarcinomas occur thorughout the GI tract, ut esp in esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and colon
alimento
nutrition
amylo
starch
anal fissure
cracklike lesion of the skin around the anus
anastomosis
ah nas tih MOH sis
new connection created between two usually hollow structures that did not previously exist
ano
anus
anorectal abscess
severe inflammation of the anus or rectum containing pus
aphthous stomatitis
AFF thus stoh mah TYE tis
recurring condition characterized by small ulcers which appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth
AKA canker sore
appendicitis
inflammation of the vermiform appendix
if the appendix is not removed in time, it can become gangrenous and burst
appendo, appendico
appendix
bariatric surgery
a variety of surgical procedures done to control morbid obesity by reducing the size of the stomach and/or by rerouting the small intestine to reduce the absorption of nutrients
these procedures include gastric stapling (gastroplasty), gastric banding, and gastric bypass
barium enema (BE)
introduction of a barium sulfate suspension through the rectum for imaging of the lower digestive tract to detect obstructions, tumors, and other abnormalities
barium swallow (BaS)
radiographic imaging done after the oral ingestion of a barium sulfate suspension
used to detect abnormalities of the esophagus and stomach
Barrett’s esophagus
condition caused by chronic reflux from the stomach
bile
yellowish green substance that contains cholesterol, acids, and pigments such as bilirubin
serves to emulsify fat or lipid globules into small enough parts for the enzymes to digest
travels through the hepatic duct → cystic duct → gallbladder where it is stored and concentrated → common bile duct after a meal
biliary colic
severe right upper quadrant pain
bilirubin
chief pigment in bile
product of normal hemoglobin breakdown
carried through the bloodstream to the liver, which conjugates with other substances to be added to bile so that it can enter the colon
biopsy
removal and examination of living tissue from the body for diagnostic purposes
BM
bowel movement
bucco
cheek
-carcinoma
cancerous tumor of epithelial growth
ceco
cecum, the first part of the large intestine connected to the ileum
“blind pouch”
cheilitis
kye LYE tis
inflammation of the lips
cheilosis
kye LOH sis
abnormal condition of the lips present in riboflavin (B vitamin) deficiency
cholangio
bile vessels
cholangiography
koh lan jee AH gruh fee
radiographic procedure that captures images of the common bile duct through the injection of a contrast medium into the bile duct, after which a series of digital images is taken
cholangitis
koh lan JYE tis
inflammation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts
chole, bili
bile
cholecystitis
koh lee sis tye TIS
inflammation of the gallbladder
cholecysto
gallbladder (GB)
cholecystography
koh lee sis TAH gruh fee
contrast study in which iodine is ingested orally, then the gallbladder is imaged at different time intervals to assess its functioning
used to diagnose cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, tumors, and other abnormalities of the gallbladder
choledocho
common bile duct
choledocholithiasis
koh lee doh koh lih THY ih sis
presence of stones in the common bile duct
cholelithiasis
koh lee lih THY ih sis
presence of stones (calculi) in the gallbladder, sometimes characterized by right upper quadrant pain (biliary colic) with nausea and vomiting
chyme
viscous, semifluid gruel-like material produced by gastric digestion of food
cirrhosis
chronic degenerative disease of the liver with gradual destruction of cells, most commonly associated with alcohol use
cleft palate
failure of the palate to close during embryonic development, which allows an opening in the roof of the mouth
often accompanied by a cleft lip
colitis
inflammation of the large intestine
colo, colono
colon
colostomy
koh LOSS toh mee
surgical redirection of the bowel to a stoma, an artificial opening, on the abdominal wall
computed tomography (CT) scan
radiographic technique that produces detailed images of “slices” or cross sections of the body
used in the digestive system to diagnose tumors or abnormal accumulations of fluid
Crohn disease
idiopathic autoimmune inflammation of the ileum or the ileum or colon
AKA regional enteritis
cystadenoma
glandular tumors that are filled with cysts
most common benign tumors in the pancreas
cystadenoma
glandular tumor of the pancreas filled with cysts
deglutition
DEE glu tih shun
process of swallowing
denti, odonto
teeth
dia-
through, complete
diverticulitis
inflammation occurring secondary to the occurrene of diverticulosis
diverticulosis
development of diverticula, pouches in the lining of the colon
duodenum
doo oh DE num
widest, shortest, and most fixed portion of the small intestine, taking an almost circular course from the pylorus to the jejunum
first 10-12 inches of small intestine, where most of the chemical digestion and absorption takes place
dyspepsia
feeling of epigastric discomfort that occurs shortly after eating
symptoms range from feeling of nausea, fullness, heartburn, and/or bloating
AKA indigestion
emesis
vomiting
endoscopy
general term for any internal visualization of the body using an instrument called an endoscope, which has its own fiberoptic light source
endoscope can enter the GI tract through the oral cavity (esophagogastroduodenoscopy - EGD),
through the anus (protoscopy, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy),
or through an incision in the abdominal wall (laparoscopy)
enema
method of introducing a solution into the rectum for therapeutic (relief of constipation) or hygienic (preparation for surgery) reasons
entero
small intestines
epiglottis
flap of tissue that moves to cover the trachea with each swallow
eructation
ee ruck TAY shun
release of air from the stomach through the mouth
may be caused by rapid eating or by swallowing air
AKA burping/belching
esophageal atresia
es soff uh JEE ul ah TREE zsa
congenital condition where the esophagus ends in a blind pouch and there is no opening into the stomach
esophago
esophagus
10-inch long tube between pharynx (throat) and stomach
feeding tubes
enteral nutrition: through a digestive structure
parenteral nutrition: introduced through a structure outside the digestive system, usually through IV (ex: total parenteral nutrition, or TPN)
femoral hernia
protrusion of a loop of intestine through the femoral canal into the groin
AKA crural hernia
hernia
protrusion or rupture of an organ through a body wall
fistula
an abnormal passage, usually between two internal organs or from an internal organ to the surface of the body
flatus
FLAY tus
passing gas
fluoroscopy
floor AH skuh pee
special kind of radiographic procedure that allows visualization of structures in real time directly on a monitor screen
fundus
the body of the stomach
AKA cardia
gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT)
blood test to detect increased enzymes that can indicate cirrhosis, hepatitis, acute pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis or nephrosis, and Helicobacter pylori antibodies
gastrectomy
surgical removal of all or part of the stomach
gastric bypass (Roux en-Y)
a type of bariatric surgery
gastric gavage
gah VAHZH
feeding through a tube in the stomach
gastritis
acute of chronic inflammation of the stomach that may be accompanied by anorexia, nausea and vomiting, or indigestion
gastro
stomach
gastrodynia, gastralgia
gass troh dih NEE AH
gass TRAL zsa
stomach pain
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
gass troh eh sah fah JEE ul
return of stomach contents to the esophagus, caused by an inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to contract normally
gradually breaks down the mucous barrier of the esophagus
characterized by pyrosis with or w/o regurgitation of stomach contents into mouth
gingivitis
inflammatory disease of the gums characterized by redness, swelling, and bleeding
gingivo
gums
gluco
sweet, sugar
glycogenolysis
gly co gen AHL ah sis
process of breaking down glycogen into glucose
hematochezia
hee mat oh KEE zee ah
bright red, frank lower GI bleeding from the rectum that may originate in the distal colon
bright red blood in stools
hemangioma
tumor of the blood vessels
most common type of benign tumor
hemorrhoid
varicose vein in the lower rectum or anus
hemorrhoidectomy
surgical excision of hemorrhoids
hepatitis
inflammatory disease of the liver that is caused by an increasing number of viruses, alcohol, and drugs
currently named by letter, hepatitis A-G, the means of viral transmission is not the same for each form
hepatitis A (HAV) and E
virus transmitted through direct contact with fecally contaminated food or water
hepatitis B (HBV)
virus transmitted through contamined blood or sexual contact
hepatitis C
transmitted through blood, sexual contact, or from sharing infected needles
hepatitis D
manifests only in patients who have acquired hepatitis
hepato
liver
produces bile
stores excess glucose as the starch glycogen and converts it back to glucose when blood sugar levels drop
converts proteins and fats into glucose when needed (gluconeogenesis)
manufactures blood proteins for clotting, releases bilirubin, and detoxifies the blood
hepatocellular carcinoma/hepatoma
malignant tumors of epithelial origin that originate in the liver cells
most common type of liver cancer worldwide
herniorrhaphy
hur nee OR rah fee
hernia repair
suture of a hernia
herpetic stomatitis
hur pET ick stoh mah TYE tis
inflammation of the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
AKA cold sore, fever blister
hiatal hernia
hye A tul
protrusion of a portion of the stomach through the diaphragm
AKA diaphragmatic hernia, diaphragmatocele (dye uh grag MAT oh seel)
hiato
opening
singultus
involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, followed by a rapid closure of the glottis (which causes the sound of a hiccup)
AKA hiccup
Hirschsprung disease
HERSH sprung
congenital absence of normal nervous function in part of the colon, which results in an absence of peristaltic movement, accumulation of feces, and enlarged colon
AKA congenital megacolon
hypopharynx (laryngopharynx)
most inferior part of the pharynx, directly below the oropharynx
ileo
ileum
11-foot-long third portion ofthe small intestine that attaches to the colon
ileocecal valve
valve between ileum (small intestine) and cecum (large intestine)
ileus
obstruction
incarcerated hernia
loop of bowel with ends occluded so that solids cannot pass; herniated bowel can become strangulated
AKA irreducible hernia
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
chronic inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the intestine, characterized by bleeding and diarrhea
inguinal hernia
IN gwin nul
protrusion of a loop of intestine into the inguinal canal
intestino
intestines
intussusception
in tuh suh SEP shun
inward telescoping of the intestines
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
abnormal increase in the activity of the small and large intestines, leading to diarrhea and flatus
jejuno
jejunum
8-foot-long middle section of the small intestine
labio, cheilo
lips
laparoscopic surgery
lap uh roh SCAH pick
surgery done through several small incisions in the abdominal wall with the aid of an instrument called a laparoscope
laparoscopy (lap)
lap uh RAH skuh pee
visual examination of the abdominal cavity
laparotomy
lap uh RAH tuh mee
any surgical incision in the abdominal wall for the purpose of an operative approach or for exploratory purposes
leiomyoma
lye oh my OH mah
smooth muscle tumor that may occur in the digestive tract
leukoplakia
loo koh PLAY kee ah
condition of white patches that may appear on the lips and buccal mucosa
ligation
tying off a blood vessel or duct
linguo, glosso
tongue
lipo
lipid
cholecysto
gallbladder
lobo
lobe
lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
pharynx –> esophagus –> ring-like muscle that controls the entry of food from the esophagus into the stomach
AKA gastroesophageal sphincter, cardiac sphincter
lysis of adhesions
surgical destruction of adhesions (scar tissue that binds two anatomic surfaces)
ex: in the peritoneal cavity
malocclusion
mal oh KLOO zhun
condition in which the teeth do not touch properly when the mouth is closed (abnormal bite)
mandibulo
lower jaw bone
manometry
mah NAH met tree
test that measures the motor function (muscle pressure) of the esophagus
maxillo
upper jaw bone
melena
mah LEE nah
black, tarry stools caused by the presence of partially digested blood
mesentery
fan-shaped fold of peritoneum that encloses the intestine while allowing some movement
metastatic carcinoma
most common form of liver cancer
liver is the most common site of all metastases
not a primary tumor, but one that has spread from another site
naso
nose
nasogastric intubation (NG tube)
placement of a tube fromthe nose, down the back of the throat, then into the stomach for the purpose of removing gastric contents
nasopharynx
most superior end of the pharynx, located behind the nasal cavity
NPO
nothing by mouth
obstipation
extreme constipation or intestinal obstruction
odontogenic tumor
oh don to JEH nik
benign tumors that arise around the teeth and jaw
omphalo, umbilico
umbilius
oro
oral cavity
oro, stomo, stomato
mouth
oropharynx
middle part of the pharynx, located directly adjacent to the oral cavity
oto
ear
palato
hard and soft palates
pancreato
pancreas
produces digestive enzymes (lipase and amylase) that pass through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum
also secretes insulin to help release sugar from the blood and carry the energy-producing glucose into the cells
paracentesis
procedure for withdrawing fluid from a body cavity, most commonly to remove fluid accumulated in the abdominal cavity
peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
erosion of the protective mucosal lining of the stomach (gastic ulcer) or duodenum (duodenal ulcer)
paralytic ileus
lack of peristaltic movement in the intestinal tract
AKA adynamic ileus
periodontal disease
pathologic condition of the tissues surrounding the teeth
peristalsis
rhythmic contraction
peri- = surrounding + -stalsis = contraction
peritoneo
peritoneum
peritoneum
serous membrane lining the abdominopelvic walls (parietal peritoneum) and reflecting over the contained viscera (visceral peritoneum)
phago
eat, swallow
pharyngo
pharanyx (throat)
5-inch long, mucus-lined, muscular tube serves as passageway for food and air
pharyngo
throat
plico
fold
plicae
PLY see
circular folds
polyp
benign growth that may occur in the intestines
polyp, adenomatous or hyperplastic
add en NOH mah tuss
adenomatous (growth that arises from glandular tissue, have potential to be malignant) or hyperplastic (generally, small growth that has no tendency to become malignant) tumor occurring throughout the digestive tract
polyps may be sessile (flat) or pedunculated (having a stalk)
proctitis
inflammation of the rectum and anus
AKA rectitis
procto
rectum and anus
pruritus ani
proo RYE tis A nye
common chronic condition of itching of the skin surrounding the anus
pyloric sphincter
ring of muscles that guards the opening between the stomach and the duodenum
ensures that food does not leave the stomach to enter the small intestine until it is chemically ready
pyloric stenosis
congenital narrowing of the muscle between the stomach and the duodenum
occurring in infants, it manifests itself with bouts of projectile vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration
pylorotomy
an incision of the pyloric sphincter to correct an obstruction, such as pyloric stenosis
pylorus
narrow distal opening of the stomach, surrounded by a thick band of circular muscle (the pyloric sphincter), through which the stomach contents are emptied into the duodenum
pyo
pus
pyrosis
painful burning sensation in esophagus, usually caused by reflux of stomach contents, hyperactivity, or peptic ulcer
AKA heartburn
pyorrhea
pye or REE yah
purulent discharge from the tissue surrounding the teeth
often seen with gingivitis
recto
rectum
retro-
behind
rugae
ROO-jee
ridges/wrinkles lining the stomach
salivary glands
parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity
sialadeno
salivary gland
sialo
saliva
sigmoido
sigmoid colon
squamous cell carcinoma
SKWAY muss
cancers that have a scalelike appearance
SCCs arise from the cells that cover the surfaces of the body
can occur throughout the digestive system
stool culture
fecal exam to test for microorganisms in the feces, such as worms, amoebae, bacteria, and protozoa
stool guaiac, hemoccult test
GWEYE ack
HEEM oh kult
fecal specimen exam to detect hidden blood, which may indicate GI bleeding
strangulation
constriction of a tubular structure, including intestines, leading to an impedance of circulation
total bilirubin
blood test to detect possible jaundice (yellowing of the skin), cirrhosis, or hepatitis
trachea
windpipe
ulcerative colitis
chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum manifesting itself with bouts of profuse watery diarrhea
ultrasonography
use of high-frequency sound waves to image deep structures of the body
used to detect gallstones and tumors in the digestive system
umbilical hernia
protrusion of the intestine and omentum thorugh a weakness in the abdominal wall
AKA omphalocele (UMF oh luh seel)
uvulo
uvula (little grape)
villi
VIL ai
tiny vascular projections in the small intestine
volvulus
VOL vyoo lus
twisting of the intestine
