Digestive System

Question 1

Gastr/o

Answer 1

Stomach

Question 2

Hepat/o

Answer 2

Liver

Question 3

Chol/e

Answer 3

Gall, bile

Question 4

Cyst/o

Answer 4

Bladder, sac

Question 5

Emes/o

Answer 5

Vomit

Question 6

Lith/o

Answer 6

Stone

Question 7

Lapar/o

Answer 7

Abdominal wall

Question 8

-centesis

Answer 8

To puncture

Question 9

-tripsy

Answer 9

To crush

Question 10

-rrhea

Answer 10

Flow, discharge

Question 11

-iasis

-osis

Answer 11

Abnormal condition

Question 12

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Answer 12

Severe “heartburn” in laymen’s language. Weakness of the valve between the esophagus and stomach may allow stomach acid to reflux (regurgitate, backup) into the esophagus and irritate and inflame the lining. This results in chest pain which can mimic that of angina (pain of cardiac ischemia or an MI).

Question 13

Jaundice

Answer 13

Literally means “yellow” in French. Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes from a backup of bile metabolic by-products from the blood into body tissues. May result from blockage of the ducts draining bile from the liver into the intestines or excessive breakdown of red blood cells. Hemoglobin from destroyed RBCs is broken down, and in part, ends up in bile secretions.

Question 14

Diverticulosis/diverticulitis

Answer 14

Small pouches may form along the walls of the large intestine called diverticuli which if symptomatic, causing discomfort to the patient, is called diverticulosis. These abnormal outpocketings may collect and not be able to empty fecal material which can lead to inflammation, diverticulitis.

Question 15

Cirrhosis

Answer 15

Literally, “orange-yellow” in Greek. A degenerative disease of the liver that often develops in chronic alcoholics, but can have other causes. The name refers to the gross appearance of the organ.

Question 16

Portal hypertension

Answer 16

A potential complication of chronic alcoholism resulting in liver damage and obstruction of venous blood flow through the liver. The rising blood pressure in the veins between the gastrointestinal tract and liver causes engorgement of veins around the umbilicus (navel). The characteristic radiating pattern of veins is called a “caput medusae” (head of Medusa). Medusa was the “snake-haired lady” in Greek mythology.

Question 17

Esophageal varices

Answer 17

bulging, engorged veins in the walls of the esophagus are often a complication of chronic alcoholism (see portal hypertension). The thin-walled, swollen veins are at risk of tearing resulting in severe, possibly fatal, bleeding.

Question 18

Dysphagia

Answer 18

Difficulty swallowing. May be related to GERD, esophageal tumor or other causes.

Question 19

Crohn’s Disease

Answer 19

a chronic inflammatory disease primarily of the bowel. Typical symptoms are abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea. There may also be rectal bleeding that can lead to anemia. Special X-rays and tests are needed to differentiate Crohn’s from other diseases with similar symptoms.

Question 20

Peritonitis

Answer 20

Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity. Before antibiotics, people would die from peritonitis if an inflamed appendix burst. Indications of peritonitis are called “peritoneal signs”: tender abdomen, rebound pain (pain when manual pressure released from examining abdomen), board-like rigidity of abdominal muscles, no bowel sounds (gurgles). The peritoneal membrane is very sensitive to exposure to foreign substances. Contact with blood, bile, urine, pus will cause peritoneal signs.

Question 21

Gastroenterologist

Answer 21

a physician specializing in diseases of the digestive system including esophagus, stomach and intestines. These specialists do not do surgery. Patients needing surgery are referred to a general surgeon.

Question 22

Proctologist

Answer 22

a physician specializing in diseases of the rectum and anus. Proctology is a surgical subspecialty.

Question 23

Guaiac test (Hemoccult, Fecult)

Answer 23

a special chemical test to identify blood in the stool (feces). Blood in the stool may have many causes including cancer and hemorrhoids.

Question 24

Upper GI series

Answer 24

a series of X-rays of the esophagus and stomach and small intestines having the patient swallow a “milkshake” of barium. The element barium is opaque, i.e. blocks , X-rays. This procedure may be used to identify problems with swallowing, stomach ulcers, twisting of the small intestines.

Question 25

Lower GI series

Answer 25

a series of X-rays using a barium enema to show the large intestine and rectum. This procedure can be used to identify problems such as diverticulitis/diverticulosis, and tumors.

Question 26

Endoscopy

Answer 26

use of a flexible fiberoptic instrument attached to a video camera that can be used to directly visualize the esophagus, stomach and large bowel. Special names may be used for each area explored such as colonoscopy.

Question 27

Ultrasonography (ultrasound)

Answer 27

a procedure using high frequency sound waves to visualize internal organs. Primarily used to visualize abdominal and pelvic organs, such as the pregnant uterus.