chapter 12 vocab Flashcards
digestive system
absorption
The process in which nutrients enter the bloodstream after food molecules have been broken down during chemical digestion
adhesion
Scar tissue from disease or previous surgery that binds anatomical surfaces to each other
amino acids
Molecules that combine to form proteins
amylase
An enzyme, produced chiefly in the pancreas and salivary glands, that converts starch and glycogen into simple sugars
anal
Pertaining to the anus, the opening at the end of the digestive tract from which feces exit the body
anastomosis
A surgical connection between two tubes, vessels, or ducts
anus
The opening at the end of the digestive tract where feces leave the body
appendectomy
Surgical removal of the appendix
appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix
appendix
A tube-shaped sac attached to and opening into the lower end of the large intestine
ascending colon
The first part of the colon which travels upward on the right side of the abdomen
ascites
Abnormal fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, causing abdominal swelling, often due to liver disease or cancer
barium enema
An X-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon)
barium swallow
A test that checks for problems in the throat, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
bile
A bitter, greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion, secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
bilirubin
A yellowish pigment formed in the liver by the breakdown of red blood cells
bolus
A soft mass of food that is an appropriate size for swallowing
cecum
The first section of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens
celiac disease
A serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine
cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder
cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to a gallstone blocking the cystic duct
cholelithiasis
The formation of gallstones in the gallbladder
chyme
The pulpy acidic fluid that passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.
cirrhosis
A chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of tissue. It is often caused by alcoholism or hepatitis
colon cancer
A type of cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum, part of the large intestine, where malignant cells form in the tissues of the colon
colon polyps
Small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon, which can become cancerous over time
colon resection surgery
A surgical procedure to remove a section of the colon
colon resection with colostomy
A surgical procedure where part of the colon is removed and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal surface
colonoscopy
A test that allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon) using a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope
colorectal surgeon
A doctor who specializes in the surgical treatment of conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus
colostomy
A surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through the abdominal wall to carry stool out of the body
Crohn’s disease
A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract
defecation
The final step in digestion when undigested materials are expelled from the body as feces
descending colon
The part of the colon that travels downward on the left side of the abdomen
digestion
The process by which food is broken down into absorbable units
diverticula
Small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of the digestive system
diverticulitis
Inflammation or infection of one or more diverticula in the digestive tract
diverticulosis
The condition of having diverticula in the colon
duodenum
The first section of the small intestine, immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum
dysentery
An inflammatory disorder of the intestine, especially of the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing blood and mucus in the feces with fever, abdominal pain, and rectal tenesmus
dyspepsia
Indigestion or upset stomach, marked by epigastric pain, burning, and nausea
dysphagia
Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing
emesis
The act of vomiting or ejecting stomach contents through the mouth
endocrine
Relating to glands which secrete hormones or other products directly into the blood
endoscope
An instrument used for visual examination of the interior of a hollow body organ
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
A procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas
enzymes
Substances produced by a living organism that act as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction
epiglottis
A flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe
esophageal cancer
A type of cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long, hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach
esophageal varices
Abnormally swollen veins in the lower part of the esophagus, often associated with liver disease
esophagectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the esophagus
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
A diagnostic test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine
esophagus
The muscular tube that conveys food and liquids from the throat to the stomach
exocrine
Pertaining to the secretion of a substance out through a duct
fecal immunochemical test
A test that checks stool for tiny amounts of blood released by polyps or colorectal cancer
fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
A test that checks stool samples for hidden (occult) blood using a chemical called guaiac
feces
Waste matter discharged from the bowels after food has been digested
flatus
Gas in the gastrointestinal tract, expelled through the anus
gallbaldder
A small organ where bile is stored, before it is released into the small intestine
gallstone
A small, hard crystalline mass formed abnormally in the gallbladder or bile ducts from bile pigments, cholesterol, and calcium salts
gastric juice
A digestive fluid secreted by the stomach, containing hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and other enzymes
gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from bacterial toxins or viral infection and causing vomiting and diarrhea
gastroenterologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system
gastroenterology
The study of the digestive system and its disorders
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A chronic condition where stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe (esophagus) and irritates the lining
gingivitis
inflammation of the gums
glossitis
inflammation of the tongue
hard palate
The bony front part of the palate
hemorrhoid
A swollen vein or group of veins in the region of the anus
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection or liver toxins
hepatomegaly
an enlarge liver
hernia
A condition in which part of an organ is displaced and protrudes through the wall of the cavity containing it, often involving the intestine at a weak point in the abdominal wall
hiatal hernia
A type of hernia in which abdominal organs (typically the stomach) slip through the diaphragm into the middle compartment of the chest
hydrochloric acid
A component of gastric juice that helps create the acidic environment in the stomach
ileocecal valve
A sphincter muscle valve that separates the small intestine and the large intestine
ileostomy
A surgical opening constructed by bringing the end of the small intestine (the ileum) out onto the surface of the skin
ileum
The third portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the cecum of the large intestine
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A common disorder affecting the large intestine, causing cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation
jaundice
A medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment bilirubin
jejunum
The part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum
laparascopic
A thin tube with a camera and light at the end, used for viewing the interior of the abdominal or pelvic cavities
large bowel resection
Surgical removal of part of the large intestine
large intestine
The last part of the digestive system, absorbing water and electrolytes, forming and storing feces
lipase
An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats (lipids)
liver
A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen, involved in many metabolic processes
lower esophageal sphincter
A ring of muscle at the end of the esophagus where it meets the stomach, which acts as a valve to prevent the backflow of stomach contents
melena
Dark sticky feces containing partly digested blood, indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding
nausea
A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit
NPO
A commonly used medical abbreviation for “nil per os,” the Latin phrase that means “nothing by mouth.”
nutrients
Substances that provide nourishment to cells
obesity
A medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on health
oral cavity
The mouth area, encompassing the lips, cheeks, palate, and floor of the mouth
ostomy appliance
A device used to collect waste from a surgically diverted biological system (such as a colostomy, ileostomy)
palpate
Examine (a part of the body) by touch, especially for medical purposes
pancreas
A large gland behind the stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
paralytic ileus
A condition in which the intestine does not work properly and there is no movement of food or waste in the intestine
partial colectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part of the colon and is used to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon
peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
A condition where ulcers form on the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine, typically caused by inflammation due to H. pylori bacteria and the use of NSAIDs
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)
A medical procedure in which a tube is passed into a patient’s stomach through the abdominal wall, most commonly to provide a means of feeding when oral intake is not adequate
peristalsis
The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles in the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements that push the contents forward
peritoneum
A serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs
peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers and supports most of your abdominal organs
pharynx
The muscular tube extending from the back of the nasal cavities and the mouth to the esophagus, known as the throat
polypectomy
Surgical removal of polyps from the colon or rectum
probiotics
Live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system
proctocolectomy
Surgical removal of the rectum and all or part of the colon
proctologist
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the rectum and anus
proctoscope
An instrument for examining the rectum
pyloric sphincter
A ring of smooth muscle at the end of the stomach, regulating the flow of partially digested food into the small intestine
radiofrequency ablation
A medical procedure in which part of the electrical conduction system of a tumor or other dysfunctional tissue is ablated using the heat generated from high- frequency alternating current
rectum
The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus
reflux
The backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus or throat, causing heartburn or acid indigestion
salivary
Related to or producing saliva
sigmoid colon
The S-shaped last part of the colon, leading into the rectum
sigmoidoscopy
A medical examination of the sigmoid colon by means of a sigmoidoscope
small bowel resection
Surgical removal of part of the small intestine
small intestine
The part of the intestine where most of the digestion and absorption of food occurs, extending between the stomach and large intestine
soft palate
The fleshy, flexible part towards the back of the roof of the mouth
steatorrhea
The excretion of abnormal quantities of fat with the feces
stoma
An artificial opening made into a hollow organ, especially one on the surface of the body leading to the gut or trachea
stomach
A sac-like organ of the digestive system that mixes food with gastric juices to begin the digestion of proteins
stomatitis
inflammation of the mouth and lips
stool culture
A test to detect and identify bacteria that cause infections of the lower digestive tract
stool DNA test
A test that checks stool samples for certain DNA markers that cells from colorectal cancer or polyps shed into the stool
sublingual
underneth the tongue
tongue
A muscular organ in the mouth, aiding in tasting, swallowing, and speaking
transverse colon
The middle part of the colon which travels across the abdomen
ulcerative colitis
A chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract, specifically in the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum
upper gastrointestinal series
A series of X-rays of the patient’s esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
upper GI endoscopy
A procedure in which a thin scope with a light and camera at its tip is used to look inside the upper digestive tract — the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum
urea breath test
A diagnostic test for Helicobacter pylori using a special form of urea
uvula
A fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate that hangs above the throat
uvulitis
inflammation of the uvula
villi
Small, finger-like projections that protrude from the epithelial lining of the intestinal wall, increasing the surface area for absorption
visceral
Relating to the internal organs of the body, especially those in the abdomen
vomiting
Ejecting matter from the stomach through the mouth
xerostomia
Dry mouth, often due to a decrease in saliva production.
