Chapter 17 - Digestive System Disorders

Question 1

autodigestion

Answer 1

abnormal destruction of tissues by activated digestive enzymes

Question 2

cholestasis

Answer 2

Cholestasis is a liver disease. It occurs when the flow of bile from your liver is reduced or blocked.

Question 3

fecalith

Answer 3

A fecalith is a stone made of feces. It is a hardening of feces into lumps of varying size and may occur anywhere in the intestinal tract but is typically found in the colon.

It is also called appendicolith when it occurs in the appendix and is sometimes concomitant with appendicitis.

They can also obstruct diverticula. It can possibly form secondary to fecal impaction.

Question 4

diverticulosis vs diverticulitis

diverticula

Answer 4

Diverticulosis is simply the presence of tiny bulges or pockets (diverticula) in the colon or another part of the digestive tract. They usually don’t cause any symptoms or need to be treated. However, diverticulosis can lead to diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis is inflammation (swelling) and infection in one or more diverticula. You may feel pain, nausea, fever and have other symptoms. This is a much more serious and potentially dangerous condition.

Question 5

fecal impaction

Answer 5

A solid, immobile bulk of feces that can develop in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation.

A related term is fecal loading which refers to a large volume of stool in the rectum of any consistency.

Fecal impaction is a common result of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and causes immense discomfort and pain.

Treatment of fecal impaction includes laxatives, enema, and pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE). Research shows that pulsed irrigation evacuation with the PIE MED device is successful in all tested patients in studies, making pulsed irrigation evacuation the most effective and reliable form of fecal impaction treatment.

(PIE MED is the name of the company).

Question 6

neurogenic bowel dysfunction

Answer 6

Also called neurogenic bowel.
The inability to control defecation due to a deterioration of or injury to the nervous system, resulting in fecal incontinence or constipation. It is common in people with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or spina bifida.

Question 7

enema

Answer 7

a procedure in which liquid or gas is injected into the rectum, typically to expel its contents, but also to introduce drugs or permit X-ray imaging

Question 8

Pulsed Irrigation Evacuation (PIE) device

Answer 8

A device that uses pulses of water to break up the stool in someone’s intestine. Water goes into the intestine from one tank and waste flows out into a second tank, making for a clean experience.

Question 9

suppository

Answer 9

A way to deliver a drug. It’s a small, round or cone-shaped object that you put in your body, often into your bottom. Once it’s inside, it melts or dissolves and releases its medication.

Question 10

hematemesis

Answer 10

the vomiting of blood

Question 11

icterus

Answer 11

the technical term for jaundice

Question 12

ileostomy

Answer 12

Ileostomy is a stoma (surgical opening) constructed by bringing the end or loop of small intestine (the ileum) out onto the surface of the skin, or the surgical procedure which creates this opening.

Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an external ostomy system which is placed next to the opening. Ileostomies are usually sited above the groin on the right hand side of the abdomen.

Question 13

ostomy pouching system

Answer 13

also called an ostomy system

Ostomy pouching systems collect waste that is output from a stoma. The pouching system allows the stoma to drain into a sealed collection pouch, while protecting the surrounding skin from contamination. They are used to maintain independence, so that a wearer can continue to lead an active lifestyle that can include all forms of sports and recreation.

Question 14

stoma

Answer 14

In anatomy, a stoma (plural: stomata or stomas) is any opening in the body. For example, a mouth, a nose, and an anus are natural stomata. Any hollow organ can be manipulated into an artificial stoma as necessary.

Surgical procedures that involve the creation of an artificial stoma have names that typically end with the suffix “-ostomy”, and the same names are also often used to refer to the stoma thus created. For example, the word “colostomy” often refers either to an artificial anus or the procedure that creates one. Accordingly, it is not unusual for a stoma to be called an ostomy (plural ostomies), as is the norm in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing.

Question 15

urostomy

Answer 15

A surgical procedure that creates a stoma (artificial opening) for the urinary system. A urostomy is made to avail for urinary diversion in cases where drainage of urine through the bladder and urethra is not possible, e.g. after extensive surgery or in case of obstruction.

Question 16

avail

Answer 16

to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)

Question 17

impaction (medical)

Answer 17

harmful lodgment of something (such as feces) in a body passage or cavity

Question 18

melena

Answer 18

The dark black, tarry feces that are associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The black color and characteristic strong odor are caused by hemoglobin in the blood being altered by digestive enzymes and intestinal bacteria.

Question 19

tar

Answer 19

A dark, thick, flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, resins, alcohols, and other compounds. It is used in roadmaking and for coating and preserving timber.

Question 20

resin

Answer 20

a sticky flammable organic substance, insoluble in water, exuded by some trees and other plants

Question 21

timber

Answer 21

wood prepared for use in building and carpentry

Question 22

multiparity

Answer 22

1. the production of two or more young at a birth

2. the condition of having borne a number of children

Question 23

parity

Answer 23

1. the state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay
2. the state or fact of having borne offspring or the number of children previously borne

Question 24

tenesmus

Answer 24

The feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping.

Question 25

ulcerogenic

Answer 25

tending to produce or develop into ulcers or ulceration

Question 26

cleft lip vs cleft palate

Answer 26

A cleft lip is an opening or split in the upper lip that occurs when developing facial structures in an unborn baby don’t close completely. It is a birth defect.

Cleft lip may be unilateral or bilateral.

A baby with a cleft lip may also experience a cleft in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate).

Question 27

cleft

Answer 27

a space or opening made by or as if by splitting

Question 28

canker sore

Answer 28

Also called: aphthous ulcer

A small, shallow sore inside the mouth or at the base of the gums.

Unlike a cold sore, a canker sore doesn’t occur on the lips and isn’t contagious.
The main symptom is a painful sore in the mouth that can make it hard to eat and talk.

Most canker sores clear on their own in one to two weeks. Treatments, if needed, include mouth rinses, pastes, and medication.

Question 29

cold sore

Answer 29

A cold sore is a group of tiny, painful blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). They’re also called fever blisters or herpes simplex labialis.

Question 30

hyperkeratosis

Answer 30

A condition marked by thickening of the outer layer of the skin, which is made of keratin (a tough, protective protein). It can result from normal use (corns, calluses), chronic inflammation (eczema), or some ichthyosis-related genetic disorders.

Question 31

ichthyosis

Answer 31

A group of skin disorders characterized by dry, scaly, or thickened skin.

Question 32

corn (skin)

Answer 32

a local hardening and thickening of epidermis (as on a toe)

Question 33

leukoplakia

Answer 33

Thick, white patches on the inside surfaces of your mouth. It has a number of possible causes, including repeated injury or irritation. It can also be a sign of precancerous changes in the mouth or mouth cancer.

Question 34

sialadenitis

Answer 34

A salivary gland infection is also called sialadenitis and is caused by bacteria or viruses. A salivary stone or other blockage of the salivary gland duct can contribute to an acute infection.

Question 35

salivary stones

Answer 35

Salivary stones, also sialoliths, are hardened mineral deposits that form in the salivary glands.

Sialolithiasis is the name for the formation of salivary stones.

Question 36

gastritis

Answer 36

An inflammation, irritation, or erosion of the lining of the stomach. It can occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).

Question 37

enteritis

Answer 37

the inflammation of your small intestine

Question 38

colitis

Answer 38

inflammation within the lining of the colon

Question 39

gastroenteritis

Answer 39

Colloquially called stomach flu.

Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.

Some of the causes of gastroenteritis include viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, particular chemicals and some drugs.

Good old-fashioned handwashing with soap and water is still the best defense against spreading the bug.

Question 40

colloquial

Answer 40

(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary

Question 41

Dumping syndrome

Answer 41

A medical condition in which your stomach empties its contents into the first part of your small intestine (the duodenum) faster than normal. Dumping syndrome is also known as rapid gastric emptying.

People with dumping syndrome experience symptoms like nausea and abdominal cramping.

Question 42

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Answer 42

Also called spastic colon.

An intestinal disorder causing pain in the belly, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.

The cause of irritable bowel syndrome isn’t well understood. A diagnosis is often made based on symptoms.

Question 43

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Answer 43

An umbrella term used to describe disorders that involve chronic inflammation of your digestive tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two examples.

Question 44

umbrella term

Answer 44

A term used to cover a broad category of things rather than a single specific item.

Synonyms: blanket term, hypernym

Question 45

hypernym vs hyponym

Answer 45

A hypernym is a word with a broad meaning that more specific words fall under. For example, color is a hypernym of red.

The subordinate words (e.g. red) are hyponyms.

Question 46

ulcerative colitis

Answer 46

An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in your digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis affects the innermost lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. Symptoms usually develop over time, rather than suddenly.