Digestive System Flashcards
Removal of a small portion of tissue from the body for microscopic examination
biopsy
Pertains to the use of an endoscope (flexible fiberoptic tube with a light source and magnifying lens) to examine the interior of a hollow organ or body cavity, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; used for various medical purposes
endoscopic
The branch of medicine concerned with disorders of the digestive system and its accessory organs
Gastroenterology
Usually an internist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which usually includes its accessory organs, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas
Gastroenterologist
Consists of the digestive tract, also called the alimentary canal or GI tract, and the accessory organs of digestion
Digestive system
Made up of several distinct regions: mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus
Digestive tube
Consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach
Upper GI tract
Consists of the large intestines, rectum, and anus
Lower GI tract
Elimination of the indigestible remains after the absorption process
Defecation
dent/o; odont/o
teeth
gingiv/o
gums
gloss/o; lingu/o
tongue
or/o; stomat/o
mouth
ptyal/o
saliva
sial/o
saliva, salivary gland
esophag/o
esophagus
gastr/o
stomach
pharyng/o
pharynx (throat)
pylor/o
pylorus (sphincter in lower portion of stomach that opens into duodenum)
duoden/o
duodenum (first part of small intestine)
enter/o
intestine (usually small intestine)
jejun/o
jejunum (second part of small intestine)
ile/o
ileum (third part of the small intestine)
an/o
anus
append/o; appendic/o
appendix
col/o; colon/o
colon
proct/o
anus, rectum
rect/o
rectum
sigmoid/o
sigmoid colon
cholangi/o
bile vessel
chol/e
bile, gall
cholecyst/o
gallbladder
choledoch/o
bile duct
hepat/o
liver
pancreat/o
pancreas
-algia; -dynia
pain
-emesis
vomiting
-lasis
abnormal condition (produced by something specified)
-megaly
enlargement
-orexia
appetite
-osis
abnormal condition; increase (used primarily with blood cells)
-pepsia
digestion
-phagia
swallowing, eating
-prandial
meal
-rrhea
discharge, flow
endo-
in, within
hemat-
blood
hypo-
under, below, deficient
Inflammation of the appendix, typically an acute condition caused by blockage of the appendix followed by infection that is treated with surgical removal of the inflamed appendix and antibiotic therapy
appendicitis
Pathological buildup of fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity as a result of liver disease, cancer, heart failure, or kidney failure
ascites
Gurgling or rumbling sound heard over the large intestine that is caused by gas moving through the intestines
borborygmus
Chronic liver disease characterized by destruction of liver cells that eventually leads to ineffective liver function and jaundice
cirrhosis
Formation of bulging pouches (diverticula) throughout the colon but most commonly in the lower portion of the colon (includes diverticulosis, diverticular bleeding, and diverticulitis)
Diverticular disease
Inflammation of the intestine, especially of the colon, caused by chemical irritants, bacteria, or parasites and characterized by diarrhea, colitis, and abdominal cramps
dysentery
Abnormal tunnel connecting two body cavities, such as the rectum and the vagina (retrovaginal fistula), or a body cavity to the skin, such as the rectum to the outside of the body, caused by an injury, infection, or inflammation
fistula
Backflow (reflux) of gastric contents into the esophagus as a result of malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Passage of bright red, bloody stools (usually an indication that the colon is bleeding somewhere) commonly caused by diverticulitis or hemorrhoids but may be a symptom of cancer
hematochezia
Mass of enlarged, twisted varicose veins in the mucous membrane inside or just outside the rectum; also called piles
hemorrhoid
Protrusion or projection of an organ or a part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it
hernia
Hernia whose blood supply has been cut off, leading to necrosis with gangrene of the hernial sac and its contents; a condition that is life threatening and requires immediate surgery
strangulated
Disorder that causes inflammation of the intestines
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Chronic IBD that may affect any portion of the intestinal tract (usually the ilium) and is distinguished from closely related bowel disorders by its inflammatory pattern, which tends to be patchy or segmented; also called regional colitis
Crohn disease
Chronic IBD of the colon characterized by ulcers, constant diarrhea mixed with blood, and pain
ulcerative colitis
Common colon disorder characterized by constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating that does not cause permanent damage to the colon; also called spastic colon
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae of the eyes caused by excessive levels of bilirubin in the blood; also called hyperbilirubinemia
Jaundice
Condition in which body weight exceeds the range of normal or healthy, which is characterized as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25
obesity
More severe obesity in which a person has a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, which is generally 100 lb or more over ideal body weight
morbid obesity
Open sore that may result from a perforation or lesion of the skin or mucous membrane accompanied by sloughing or inflamed necrotic (pathological death of a cell) tissue
ulcer
Twisting of the bowel on itself, causing obstruction
volvulus
Radiographic examination of the rectum and colon after administration of barium sulfate (radiopaque contrast medium) into the rectum. Used for diagnosis of obstructions, tumors, or other abnormalities, such as ulcerative colitis
Barium enema (BE)
Radiographic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine after oral administration of barium sulfate (radiopaque contrast medium); also called upper GI series
barium swallow
Radiographic examination of the bile ducts with a contrast medium to reveal gallstones or other obstruction in the bile duct
cholangiography
Visual examination of the esophagus (esophagoscopy), stomach (gastroscopy), and duodenum (duodenoscopy) using an endoscope; also called upper GI endoscopy
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Test performed on feces using reagent gum guaiac to detect presence of blood in feces that is not apparent on visual inspections; also called Hemoccult test
stool guaiac
Any of a group of procedures used to treat morbid obesity
bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery in which the upper stomach near the esophagus is stapled vertically to reduce it to a small pouch and a band is inserted that restricts and delays food from leaving the pouch, causing a feeling of fullness
vertical banded gastroplasty
Bariatric surgery in which the stomach is first stapled to decrease it to a small pouch and then the jejunum is shortened and connected to the small stomach pouch, causing the base of the duodenum leading from the nonfunctioning portion of the stomach to form a Y configuration, which decreases the pathway of food through the intestine, reducing absorption of calories and fats
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
Excision of a diseased part of the colon and relocation of the remaining end of the healthy colon through the abdominal wall to divert fecal flow to a colostomy bag
colostomy
Eliminating a stone within the gallbladder or urinary system by crushing it surgically or using a noninvasive method, such as ultrasonic shock waves, to shatter it
lithotripsy
Use of shock waves as a noninvasive method to destroy stones in the gallbladder and biliary ducts
extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Insertion of a soft plastic nasogastric tube through the nostrils, past the pharynx, and down the esophagus into the stomach to remove substances from the stomach, deliver medication, food, or fluids; or obtain a specimen for laboratory analysis
nasogastric intubation
Excision of small, tumorlike, benign growths (polyps) that project from a mucous membrane surface
polypectomy
Neutralize acids in the stomach
antacids
Control loose stools and relieve diarrhea by absorbing excess water in the bowel or slowing peristalsis in the intestinal tract
antidiarrheals
Control nausea and vomiting by blocking nerve impulses to the vomiting center of the brain
antiemetics
Relieve constipation and facilitate passage of feces through the lower GI tract
laxatives
A common condition in which there is an abnormal presence of gallstones (choleliths) or calculi (cholelithiasis) that form in the bile
Cholelithiasis
When calculi, also called stones, are present in the common bile duct
choledocholithiasis
