chapter 12 vocab Flashcards
digestive system
1
Q
absorption
A
The process in which nutrients enter the bloodstream after food molecules have been broken down during chemical digestion
2
Q
adhesion
A
Scar tissue from disease or previous surgery that binds anatomical surfaces to each other
3
Q
amino acids
A
Molecules that combine to form proteins
4
Q
amylase
A
An enzyme, produced chiefly in the pancreas and salivary glands, that converts starch and glycogen into simple sugars
5
Q
anal
A
Pertaining to the anus, the opening at the end of the digestive tract from which feces exit the body
6
Q
anastomosis
A
A surgical connection between two tubes, vessels, or ducts
7
Q
anus
A
The opening at the end of the digestive tract where feces leave the body
8
Q
appendectomy
A
Surgical removal of the appendix
9
Q
appendicitis
A
Inflammation of the appendix
10
Q
appendix
A
A tube-shaped sac attached to and opening into the lower end of the large intestine
11
Q
ascending colon
A
The first part of the colon which travels upward on the right side of the abdomen
12
Q
ascites
A
Abnormal fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, causing abdominal swelling, often due to liver disease or cancer
13
Q
barium enema
A
An X-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon)
14
Q
barium swallow
A
A test that checks for problems in the throat, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
15
Q
bile
A
A bitter, greenish-brown alkaline fluid that aids digestion, secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder
16
Q
bilirubin
A
A yellowish pigment formed in the liver by the breakdown of red blood cells
17
Q
bolus
A
A soft mass of food that is an appropriate size for swallowing
18
Q
cecum
A
The first section of the large intestine, into which the ileum opens
19
Q
celiac disease
A
A serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine
20
Q
cholecystectomy
A
Surgical removal of the gallbladder
21
Q
cholecystitis
A
Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to a gallstone blocking the cystic duct
22
Q
cholelithiasis
A
The formation of gallstones in the gallbladder
23
Q
chyme
A
The pulpy acidic fluid that passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.
24
Q
cirrhosis
A
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
25
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
26
colon polyps
Small clumps of cells that form on the lining of the colon, which can become cancerous over time
27
colon resection surgery
A surgical procedure to remove a section of the colon
28
colon resection with colostomy
A surgical procedure where part of the colon is removed and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal surface
29
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
30
colorectal surgeon
A doctor who specializes in the surgical treatment of conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus
31
colostomy
A surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through the abdominal wall to carry stool out of the body
32
Crohn's disease
A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract
33
defecation
The final step in digestion when undigested materials are expelled from the body as feces
34
descending colon
The part of the colon that travels downward on the left side of the abdomen
35
digestion
The process by which food is broken down into absorbable units
36
diverticula
Small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of the digestive system
37
diverticulitis
Inflammation or infection of one or more diverticula in the digestive tract
38
diverticulosis
The condition of having diverticula in the colon
39
duodenum
The first section of the small intestine, immediately beyond the stomach, leading to the jejunum
40
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
41
dyspepsia
Indigestion or upset stomach, marked by epigastric pain, burning, and nausea
42
dysphagia
Difficulty or discomfort in swallowing
43
emesis
The act of vomiting or ejecting stomach contents through the mouth
44
endocrine
Relating to glands which secrete hormones or other products directly into the blood
45
endoscope
An instrument used for visual examination of the interior of a hollow body organ
46
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
A procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas
47
enzymes
Substances produced by a living organism that act as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction
48
epiglottis
A flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe
49
esophageal cancer
A type of cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long, hollow tube that runs from the throat to the stomach
50
esophageal varices
Abnormally swollen veins in the lower part of the esophagus, often associated with liver disease
51
esophagectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the esophagus
52
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
A diagnostic test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine
53
esophagus
The muscular tube that conveys food and liquids from the throat to the stomach
54
exocrine
Pertaining to the secretion of a substance out through a duct
55
fecal immunochemical test
A test that checks stool for tiny amounts of blood released by polyps or colorectal cancer
56
fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
A test that checks stool samples for hidden (occult) blood using a chemical called guaiac
57
feces
Waste matter discharged from the bowels after food has been digested
58
flatus
Gas in the gastrointestinal tract, expelled through the anus
59
gallbaldder
A small organ where bile is stored, before it is released into the small intestine
60
gallstone
A small, hard crystalline mass formed abnormally in the gallbladder or bile ducts from bile pigments, cholesterol, and calcium salts
61
gastric juice
A digestive fluid secreted by the stomach, containing hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and other enzymes
62
gastroenteritis
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from bacterial toxins or viral infection and causing vomiting and diarrhea
63
gastroenterologist
A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system
64
gastroenterology
The study of the digestive system and its disorders
65
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
A chronic condition where stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe (esophagus) and irritates the lining
66
gingivitis
inflammation of the gums
67
glossitis
inflammation of the tongue
68
hard palate
The bony front part of the palate
69
hemorrhoid
A swollen vein or group of veins in the region of the anus
70
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection or liver toxins
71
hepatomegaly
an enlarge liver
72
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
73
hiatal hernia
A type of hernia in which abdominal organs (typically the stomach) slip through the diaphragm into the middle compartment of the chest
74
hydrochloric acid
A component of gastric juice that helps create the acidic environment in the stomach
75
ileocecal valve
A sphincter muscle valve that separates the small intestine and the large intestine
76
ileostomy
A surgical opening constructed by bringing the end of the small intestine (the ileum) out onto the surface of the skin
77
ileum
The third portion of the small intestine, between the jejunum and the cecum of the large intestine
78
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A common disorder affecting the large intestine, causing cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation
79
jaundice
A medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment bilirubin
80
jejunum
The part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum
81
laparascopic
A thin tube with a camera and light at the end, used for viewing the interior of the abdominal or pelvic cavities
82
large bowel resection
Surgical removal of part of the large intestine
83
large intestine
The last part of the digestive system, absorbing water and electrolytes, forming and storing feces
84
lipase
An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats (lipids)
85
liver
A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen, involved in many metabolic processes
86
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
87
melena
Dark sticky feces containing partly digested blood, indicative of gastrointestinal bleeding
88
nausea
A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit
89
NPO
A commonly used medical abbreviation for “nil per os,” the Latin phrase that means “nothing by mouth.”
90
nutrients
Substances that provide nourishment to cells
91
obesity
A medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to an extent that it may have a negative effect on health
92
oral cavity
The mouth area, encompassing the lips, cheeks, palate, and floor of the mouth
93
ostomy appliance
A device used to collect waste from a surgically diverted biological system (such as a colostomy, ileostomy)
94
palpate
Examine (a part of the body) by touch, especially for medical purposes
95
pancreas
A large gland behind the stomach which secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum
96
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
97
paralytic ileus
A condition in which the intestine does not work properly and there is no movement of food or waste in the intestine
98
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
99
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
100
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
101
peristalsis
The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles in the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements that push the contents forward
102
peritoneum
A serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs
103
peritonitis
Inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers and supports most of your abdominal organs
104
pharynx
The muscular tube extending from the back of the nasal cavities and the mouth to the esophagus, known as the throat
105
polypectomy
Surgical removal of polyps from the colon or rectum
106
probiotics
Live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system
107
proctocolectomy
Surgical removal of the rectum and all or part of the colon
108
proctologist
A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the rectum and anus
109
proctoscope
An instrument for examining the rectum
110
pyloric sphincter
A ring of smooth muscle at the end of the stomach, regulating the flow of partially digested food into the small intestine
111
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
112
rectum
The final section of the large intestine, terminating at the anus
113
reflux
The backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus or throat, causing heartburn or acid indigestion
114
salivary
Related to or producing saliva
115
sigmoid colon
The S-shaped last part of the colon, leading into the rectum
116
sigmoidoscopy
A medical examination of the sigmoid colon by means of a sigmoidoscope
117
small bowel resection
Surgical removal of part of the small intestine
118
small intestine
The part of the intestine where most of the digestion and absorption of food occurs, extending between the stomach and large intestine
119
soft palate
The fleshy, flexible part towards the back of the roof of the mouth
120
steatorrhea
The excretion of abnormal quantities of fat with the feces
121
stoma
An artificial opening made into a hollow organ, especially one on the surface of the body leading to the gut or trachea
122
stomach
A sac-like organ of the digestive system that mixes food with gastric juices to begin the digestion of proteins
123
stomatitis
inflammation of the mouth and lips
124
stool culture
A test to detect and identify bacteria that cause infections of the lower digestive tract
125
stool DNA test
A test that checks stool samples for certain DNA markers that cells from colorectal cancer or polyps shed into the stool
126
sublingual
underneth the tongue
127
tongue
A muscular organ in the mouth, aiding in tasting, swallowing, and speaking
128
transverse colon
The middle part of the colon which travels across the abdomen
129
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
130
upper gastrointestinal series
A series of X-rays of the patient’s esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
131
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
132
urea breath test
A diagnostic test for Helicobacter pylori using a special form of urea
133
uvula
A fleshy extension at the back of the soft palate that hangs above the throat
134
uvulitis
inflammation of the uvula
135
villi
Small, finger-like projections that protrude from the epithelial lining of the intestinal wall, increasing the surface area for absorption
136
visceral
Relating to the internal organs of the body, especially those in the abdomen
137
vomiting
Ejecting matter from the stomach through the mouth
138
xerostomia
Dry mouth, often due to a decrease in saliva production.
