Digestive System-Terminology

Question 1

appendectomy

Answer 1

removal/excision of the appendix

Question 2

appendicitis

Answer 2

inflammation of the appendix

Question 3

ascites

Answer 3

accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity

Question 4

cholecystectomy

Answer 4

removal/excision of the gallbladder

Question 5

cholecystitis

Answer 5

inflammation of the gallbladder

Question 6

choledochotomy

Answer 6

incision of a bile vessel

Question 7

cholelithiasis

Answer 7

abnormal condition of a gall stone

Question 8

cirrhosis

Answer 8

chronic degenerative liver disease

Question 9

Crohn’s Disease

Answer 9

a form of inflammatory bowel disease

Question 10

colectomy

Answer 10

removal/excision of the colon

Question 11

colonoscopy

Answer 11

visual examination of the colon

Question 12

colostomy

Answer 12

forming and opening in the colon

Question 13

diverticulosis

Answer 13

abnormal condition with small pouches (diverticula) in the intestinal wall

Question 14

diverticulitis

Answer 14

inflammation/infection within diverticula (small pouches in the intestinal wall)

Question 15

dysentery

Answer 15

inflammation of the intestine (especially the colon)

Question 16

dysphagia

Answer 16

bad/painful/difficult swallowing

Question 17

emesis

Answer 17

vomiting

Question 18

endoscopy

Answer 18

visual examination of in/within (usually the esophagus, stomach, duodenum)

Question 19

guarding

Answer 19

contraction of abdominal muscles/discomfort when pressure applied to abdomen

Question 20

hematemesis

Answer 20

vomiting blood

Question 21

hematochezia

Answer 21

passage of bright red blood in the stool

Question 22

hemorrhoid

Answer 22

mass of enlarge varicose veins internal or external to the rectum

Question 23

hepatitis

Answer 23

inflammation of the liver

Question 24

hepatomegaly

Answer 24

enlargement of the liver

Question 25

hypoglossal

Answer 25

pertaining to below/under the tongue

Question 26

jaundice

Answer 26

yellow coloration of the skin due to increased bilirubin in the blood

Question 27

laparoscopy

Answer 27

visual examination of the abdomen

Question 28

melena

Answer 28

black “tarry” colored stool, a sign of GI bleeding

Question 29

pancreatitis

Answer 29

inflammation of the pancreas

Question 30

postprandial

Answer 30

after a meal

Question 31

proctologist

Answer 31

specialist in the study of the anus/rectum

Question 32

ptyalism

Answer 32

overproduction of saliva

Question 33

sialorrhea

Answer 33

discharge/flow of saliva

Question 34

sublingual

Answer 34

below/under the tongue