Digestive System Flashcards
Alimentary Organs
Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas
Digestive System
Processes and absorbs nutrients and eliminates non-absorbable waste products
Hiatal Hernia
The distal portion of the esophagus protrudes upward through the weakest opening in the muscular diaphragm
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Chronic reflux of gastric contents into distal esophagus
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Occurs in stomach and duodenum and caused by Helicobacter Pylori, a bacteria found in the lining of the stomach
Cirrhosis
A chronic inflammatory d/o in which the liver enlarges, then subsequently shrinks, leaving it scarred (fibrosed) nodular, and dense, w/ loss of its normal structure
Abscess
A localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissue
Absorption
The uptake of substances into or across tissues, as in the uptake from the intestinal lumen of fluids, solutes, proteins, fats, and other nutrients, into intestinal epithelial cells, blood, lump, or interstitial fluids of the intestine (mostly in small intestine)
Albumin
A blood plasma protein that is produced in the liver. It forms a large proportion of all plasma. Albumin helps maintain oncotic pressure and transports hormones, fatty acids, and bilirubin
Alimentary Canal
A tube that extends throughout the length of the torso; also known as the digestive tract, or gastrointestinal tract.
Anastomosis
1) a communication between two vessels by collateral channels
2) An opening created by surgical traumatic, or pathological means between two normally distinct spaces or organs
Anemia
A reduction below normal in the number of erythrocytes per cu. mm, in the quantity of hemoglobin, or in the volume of packed red cells per 100 ml. Of blood. Anemia occurs when the equilibrium between blood loss (through bleeding or destruction) and blood production is distributed
Anorexia
Lack of desire for food, especially as the result of disease
Ascites
Effusion and accumulation of serous fluids in the abdominal cavity
Atresia
Absence or closure of a normal orifice or passage
Barium
(Barium Sulphate) a bulky, fine, white powder, without odor or taste, used as a contrast medium in x-rays
Bile
A brownish or greenish-yellow, bitter, alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and emptied into the small intestine through the gallbladder and bile ducts; functions to neutralize the acidity of the upper small intestine and to act as a detergent, dissolving cholesterol and the products of fat digestion
Biliary
Pertaining to the bile ducts or gallbladder
Bilirubin
A bile pigment. It is a breakdown of the iron constituent of hemoglobin, mainly formed from the degradation of red blood cells. Bilirubin normally circulates in plasma and is taken up by the liver to form bile pigment. Causes Jaundice
Cardiac Sphincter
The ring-like muscle surrounding the esophagus where it opens into the stomach.
Cecum
The first part of the ascending colon the forms a dilated pouch into which open the ileum and the appendix.
Cholecystectomy
Surgical removal of the gallbladder
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Cholelithiasis
The presence of gallstones
Chronic Liver disease
Any of a variety of liver disorders that have persisted for a long time; e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis, generally over 6 mo.
Colectomy
Excision of a portion of the colon (partial colectomy) or of the entire colon (complete or total colectomy)
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon
Colon
The part of the large intestine which extends from the cecum to the rectum
Colon, ascending
Portion of the colon between the cecum and the right colic flexure (the bend in the colon at which the ascending colon becomes the traverse colon)
Colon, descending
Portion of the colon between the left colic flexure and the sigmoid colon (the bending the colon at which the transverse colon becomes descending colon)
Colon, sigmoid
The part of the colon, largely in the pelvis, that extends from the descending colon to the rectum
Crohn’s disease
Full thickness inflammation of any portion of the GI with ulceration and scarring of unknown etiology
Dilatation
The condition, as in an orifice or tubular structure, of being expanded or stretched beyond normal dimensions
Distention
Expansion or enlargement of an organ or structure
Diverticulum
A sac or pouch in the walls of a canal or organ, especially the colon
Duodenum
The first portion of the small intestine
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing
Encephalopathy
Any disease of the brain that affects consciousness. Hepatic encephalopathy - A condition usually occurring secondary to advanced disease of the liver, but also seen in the course of any severe disease. It is marked by distrubances of behavior and consciousness and psychiatric changes, which may progress to deep coma (Hepatic coma) Flapping tremor (asterexis) is typical of hepatic encephalopathy.