Abdomen Flashcards
Aneurysm
a balloon-like swelling of the wall of an artery, vein, or heart; generally the result of a congenital defect in the wall or degenerative disease or infection (example atherosclerosis or syphilis); dissecting aneurysm is longitudinal splitting of the arterial wall from hemorrhage
Anorexia
loss of appetite
Ascites
abnormal intraperitoneal accumulation of serous fluid
Ballottement
a palpation technique used in detecting or examining a floating object in the body
Borborygmi
a gurgling, splashing sound heard over the large intestine; caused by passage of flatus through the intestine
Cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholelithiasis
stone formation in the gallbladder
Cirrhosis
a chronic disease of the liver characterized by fibrosis and alteration of normal liver architecture into structurally abnormal nodules
Colic
spasm in any hollow tubular soft organ accompanied by pain
Constipation
difficult defecation; infrequent defecation with passage of unduly hard dry fecal material; sluggish action of the bowels. Often this is defined as less than three bowel movements per week
Diarrhea
frequent liquid or loose stools lasting less than four weeks in duration
Dyschezia
painful or difficult bowel movement
Dyspepsia
imperfect digestion. Not a disease in itself but symptomatic of other diseases or disorders. Characterized by vague abdominal discomfort, a sense of fullness after eating, eructation, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite
Dysphagia
difficulty in swallowing
Fistula
an abnormal tube like passage from a normal cavity or tube to a free surface or to another cavity. May be congenital due to incomplete closure of parts or may result from abscesses, injuries, or inflammatory processes
Gastroesophageal reflux
burning gnawing pain in mid-epigastrium worsens with recumbency
Hematemesis
vomiting of blood
Hematochezia
passage of stool containing blood
Hernia
protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in the muscle wall
Icterus
pigmentation of the tissues, membranes, and secretions of the eye with bile pigment
Intussusception
prolapse or telescoping of one segment of intestine n into another, causing intestinal obstruction
Jaundice
a condition characterized by yellowness of the skin, mucous membranes, and body fluids due to deposition of bile pigment resulting from excess bilirubin in the blood
Kehr sign
abdominal pain radiating to the left shoulder, due to peritoneal irritation from blood or other irritants
Melena
evacuations resembling tar, due to action of intestinal juices on free blood
Peristalsis
the wavelike motion by which the alimentary tract propels its content
Pyloric stenosis
narrowing of the pyloric orifice. This may be due to excessive thickening of the circular muscle of the pylorus or hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mucosa and submucosa
Reflux
a return or backward flow
Striae
streaks or lines (with a silvery white or purple hue); skin striae result from weakening of the elastic tissue associated with pregnancy, weight gain, rapid growth periods, and high levels of corticosteroids
Tympany
a low pitched, resonant, drumlike sound heard while percussing the surface of a large, air containing body space
