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.
Endoscopy
Procedure for examining the interior of a hollow organ, such as the esophagus, stomach and proximal colon (duodenum)
Enterocolitis
Inflammation involving both the small intestine and the colon
Fistula
An abnormal passage or communication, usually between two internal organs or leading from an internal organ to the surface of the body
Fundus of stomach
Enlarged portion of stomach to the left, located above the level of the cardiac orifice
Gallbladder
A pear-shaped, muscular sac located under the right lobe of the liver, in which bile secreted by the liver is stored.
Gastrectomy
Excision of the whole (total gastrectomy) or part of subtotal gastrectomy, partial gastrectomy, gastric resection) the stomach
Gastrointestinal
Pertaining to the digestive tract
Gastroscopy
Direct visual examination of the interior of the stomach by means of a gastroscope (an endoscope)
Guaiac Test
A test for blood in the stool
Helicobacter pylori (H-Pylori)
A bacterium that survives in the acid environment of the stomach and is associated with ulcer disease and, possibly, coronary artery disease
Hematemesis
The vomiting of blood
Hemorrhage
The escape of blood from the vessels; bleeding. Small hemorrhages are classified by size as: petechiae (very small); purpura (up to one cm.), and ecchymoses (larger; bruises, black eye, etc). Accumulation of blood within a tissue is called a hematoma
Hepatic
Pertaining to the liver
Hernia
The protrusion of a loop or knuckle of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening
Hypoalbuminemia
An abnormally low content of albumin in the blood
Icteric
Relating to jaundice
Ileostomy
The surgical creation of an opening into the ileum, usually by establishing an ideal stoma on the abdominal wall
Ileum
The distal portion of the small intestine, extending from the jejunum to the cecum
Interferon
Proteins produced by the cells of the immune system in response to a challenge by foreign agents (viruses, bacteria, etc.) Interferons are an important component of anti-viral response and interferon-alpha is used in the treatment of Hepatitis C. Pegylated interferon is interferon-alpha to which polyethylene glycol is added to make the interferon last longer in the body
Intestine
Bowel, the digestive tube passing from the stomach to the anus. It is divided primarily into the small and large intestine
Intractable
Resistant to cure, relief, or control
Iritis
Inflammation of the iris, usually marked by pain congestion of the ciliary region, photophobia, contraction of the pupil, and discoloration of the iris
Jaundice
A syndrome characterized by deposition of bile pigment in the skin and mucous membranes with resulting yellow appearance of the patient
Jejunum
That small portion of the small intestine, which extends from the duodenum to the ileum
Laparoscopic Surgery
Surgery done through small incisions, using cameras and video monitors to guide the surgical instruments
Liver
The body’s largest organ. It is located under the diaphragm and has multiple functions in production, storage, and detoxification
Malabsorption
Imperfect absorption of nutritive material
Maldigestion
Altered digestion function usually of the pancrease
Mollary-Weiss Tear
A tear in the lower end of the esophagus, caused by severe vomiting common in alcoholics
Malnutrition
Any disorder of nutrition; it may be due to unbalanced or insufficient diet or to defective assimilation or utilization of food
Melena
The passing of dark (thick and tarry) stools stained with blood pigments, a sign of bleeding in the GI tract
Oncotic Pressure
In blood plasma, the dissolved compounds have an osmotic pressure. A small portion of this pressure is related to the presence of large protein molecules (particularly albumin). The presence of these large proteins prevents fluids from leaking through capillary walls. If plasma proteins are reduced, edema can result. Hence, edema is seen in liver disease due to the low levels of serum albumin.
Paracentesis
Needle puncture of the abdominal cavity in order to aspirate fluid
Peptic
Pertaining to pepsin or to digestion; related to the action of gastric juice
Peristalsis
The serial contraction of the muscles of the digestive tract, each contraction following the other in a wave action that moves the food mass forward
Pharynx
A cavity that serves as a common passageway for both the respiratory and digestive tracts
Portal
Pertaining to an entrance, particularly to the hepatic portal the transverse fissure on the surface of the liver where the portal vein and the hepatic artery enter the liver and the hepatic ducts exit
Prothrombin
A coagulation factor; a protein present in the blood plasma, which, in the presence of the other factors, converts to thrombin, which converts fibrinogen to fibrin, which forms the essential portion of a blood clot. Liver function tests may report Prothrombin time (PT)
Pyloroplasty
An operation on the pylori to relieve obstruction or to accelerate gastric emptying
Pylorus
The distal opening of the stomach, surrounded by a strong band of muscle, through which the stomach contents are emptied into the duodenum
Resection
Excision of a portion of an organ or other structure. Gastric resection- Partial gastrectomy. Wedge resection- removal of a triangular wedge of tissue
Ribavirin
An anti-viral agent drug active against a number of DNA and RNA viruses, such as Hepatitis B & Hep C. Trade names; Copegus and Rebetol
Serum Bilirubin
Bilirubin in the blood serum
Sigmoidoscopy
Inspection of the sigmoid flexure with an endoscope (sigmoidoscope)
Sphincter
A series of muscles capable of contracting or expanding to close or allow a passageway to open
Steatorrhea
Passage of excessive fat in stool
Stenosis
Narrowing or stricture
Stoma
An opening entrance into an organ or structure, particularly one surgically created in the abdominal wall by colostomy, ileostomy, etc.; also the opening between two portions of the intestine in an anastomosis
Stricture
Decrease in the caliber of a canal, duct, or other passage. (Can happen when scar tissue is present)
Systemic manifestations
Those signs, symptoms, and findings which indicate that a disease or disorder is affecting the body as a whole
TIPS
Transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt- a Shunt procedure used to reduce portal hypertension and usually done for bleeding esophageal varies or intractable ascites. (relieves pressure from portal vein)
Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic recurrent ulceration in the colon. (superficial)
Upper GI study
X-ray study of upper GI tract, using barium as a contrast medium
Vagotomy, complete
Transection of all vagal secretory fibers, sufficient to prevent increased flow or acidity of gastric secretion
Varices
(Pleural of varix) Enlarged and tortuous veins, arteries, or lymphatic vessels. Esophageal varices- Varicosities of the veins, which join with tributaries of the portal vein in the lower esophagus, occurring in patients with portal hypertension
Viscus
Any large interior organ in any one of the three great cavities of the body, Especially in the abdomen
Wilson’s disease
Hepatolenticular Degeneration; a hereditary disease characterized by degenerative changes in the brain and cirrhosis of the liver, caused by abdominal accumulation of serum copper
Three great cavities of the body
Thoracic cavity, Abdominal Cavity, and the pelvic cavity
