Chapter 22 terms

Question 1

Abdominal adhesions

Answer 1

scar tissue in the abdomen; inflammatory bands that connect opposite sides of serous surfaces after trauma or surgery

Question 2

Aneurysm

Answer 2

defect or sac formed by dilation in artery wall due to atherosclerosis, trauma, or congenital defect

Question 3

Anorexia

Answer 3

loss of appetite for food

Question 4

Ascites

Answer 4

abnormal accumulation of serous fluid within the peritoneal cavity, associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, cancer, or portal hypertension

Question 5

Borborygm

Answer 5

loud gurgling bowel sounds signalling increased motility or hyper-peristalsis; occur with early bowel obstruction, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, laxative use, and subsiding paralytic ileus

Question 6

Bruit

Answer 6

blowing, swooshing sound heard through a stethoscope when an artery is partially occluded; indicates turbulent blow flow

Question 7

Celiac disease

Answer 7

an inherited autoimmune condition in which intestinal tissue is damaged in response to eating gluten, which prevents nutrients from being properly absorbed

Question 8

Cholecystitis

Answer 8

inflammation of the gallbladder, resulting in biliary colic

Question 9

Costal margin

Answer 9

lower border of rib margin formed by the medial edges of the eighth, ninth, and tenth ribs

Question 10

Costovertebral angle (CVA)

Answer 10

angle formed by the twelfth rib and the vertebral column on the posterior thorax, overlying the kidney

Question 11

Diastasis Recti

Answer 11

midline longitudinal ridge in the abdomen, a separation of the abdominal rectus muscles

Question 12

Dysphagia

Answer 12

difficulty swallowing

Question 13

Epigastrium

Answer 13

name of abdominal region between the costal margins

Question 14

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

Answer 14

caused by genetic mutation that can be inherited; a risk factor for colon cancer

Question 15

Hematemesis

Answer 15

bloody vomitus, occurs with stomach or duodenal ulcers and esophageal varices

Question 16

Heptomegaly

Answer 16

abnormal enlargement of liver

Question 17

Hernia

Answer 17

protrusion of abdominal viscera through abnormal opening in muscle wall; depending on location, described as inguinal, umbilical, epigastric, or incisional

Question 18

Lactose Intolerance

Answer 18

a condition affecting certain individuals who have lower levels of lactase, the intestinal enzyme that digests lactose found in milk. and causing intolerance to milk and other dairy products

Question 19

Linea alba

Answer 19

midline tendinous seam joining the abdominal muscles

Question 20

Paralytic ileus

Answer 20

complete absence of peristaltic movement that may follow abdominal surgery or complete bowel obstruction.

Question 21

Peritoneal friction rub

Answer 21

rough, grating sound heard through the stethoscope over the site of peritoneal inflammation

Question 22

Peritonitis

Answer 22

inflammation of the peritoneum

Question 23

Pyloric stenosis

Answer 23

congenital narrowing of the pyloric sphincter, forming outflow obstruction of the stomach, usually seen in newborns within the first weeks of life

Question 24

Pyrosis

Answer 24

heartburn; burning sensation in upper abdomen, due to reflux of gastric acid

Question 25

Rectus abdominis muscle

Answer 25

midline abdominal muscle extending from rib cage to pubic bone; its edge is often palpable

Question 26

Scaphoid

Answer 26

abnormally sunken abdominal muscle having a “caved in” appearance, as with malnutrition or underweight

Question 27

Splenomegaly

Answer 27

abnormal enlargement of the spleen

Question 28

Striae

Answer 28

linea albicantes; silvery-white or pink scar tissue formed by stretching of abdominal skin, as with pregnancy or obesity

Question 29

Suprapubic

Answer 29

name of abdominal region just superior to pubic bone; also sometimes referred to as the hypogastric area

Question 30

Tympany

Answer 30

high-pitched, musical, drum-like percussion note heard when percussing ver the stomach and intestine

Question 31

Umbilicus

Answer 31

depression on abdomen marking site of entry of the umbilical cord; umbilical refers to the area surrounding the umbilicus

Question 32

Viscera

Answer 32

internal organs contained within the abdominal cavity’ referred to as either solid or hollow viscera, depending on the organ characteristics