Gastroenterology Vocabulary

Question 1

Visceral Pain

Answer 1

Dull, poorly localized pain that originates in the walls of hollow organs.

Question 2

Peritonitis

Answer 2

Inflammation of the peritoneum, which lines the abdominal cavity

Question 3

Somatic pain

Answer 3

Sharp, localized pain that originates in walls of the body such as skeletal muscles.

Question 4

Referred pain

Answer 4

Pain that originates in a region other than where it is felt.

Question 5

Cullen’s Sign

Answer 5

Ecchymosis in the periumbilical area

Question 6

Grey Turner’s Sign

Answer 6

Acchymosis in the flank

Question 7

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Answer 7

Bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract proximal to the ligament of Treitz

Question 8

Ligament of Treitz

Answer 8

Ligament that supports the duodenojejunal junction.

Question 9

Mallord-Weiss tear

Answer 9

Esophageal laceration, usually secondary to vomiting.

Question 10

Sengstaken-Blakemore tube

Answer 10

Three-lumen tube used in treating esophageal bleeding

Question 11

Portal

Answer 11

Pertaining to the flow of blood into the liver

Question 12

Cirrhosis

Answer 12

Degenerative disease of the liver

Question 13

Acute Gastroenteritis

Answer 13

Sudden onset of inflammation of the stomach and intestines

Question 14

Chronic Gastroenteritis

Answer 14

Non-acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa

Question 15

Peptic Ulcer

Answer 15

Erosion caused by gastric acid.

Question 16

Zollinger-Ellison syndrom

Answer 16

Condition that causes the stomach to secrete excessive amounts of hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

Question 17

Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Answer 17

Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract distal to the ligament of Treitz.

Question 18

Pancolitis

Answer 18

Ulcerative colitis spread throughout the entire colon

Question 19

Procitis

Answer 19

Ulcerative colitis limited to the rectum

Question 20

Colic

Answer 20

Acute pain associated with cramping and spasms in the abdominal organs

Question 21

Diverticulitis

Answer 21

Inflammation of diverticula

Question 22

Diverticulosis

Answer 22

Presence of diverticula, with or without associated bleeding

Question 23

Diverticula

Answer 23

Small outpouchings in the mucosal lining of the intestinal tract.

Question 24

Hemorrhoid

Answer 24

Small mass of swollen veins in the anus or rectum

Question 25

Bowel obstruction

Answer 25

Blockage of the hollow space within the intestines

Question 26

Hernia

Answer 26

Protrusion of an organ through its protective sheath.

Question 27

Intussusception

Answer 27

Condition that occurs when part of an intestine slips into the part just distal to itself.

Question 28

Adhesion

Answer 28

Union of normally separate tissue surface by a fibrous band of new tissue

Question 29

Volvulus

Answer 29

Twisting of the intestine on itself

Question 30

Infarction

Answer 30

Are of dead tissue caused by lack of blood.

Question 31

Appendicitis

Answer 31

Inflammation of the vermiform appendix at the juncture of the large and small intestines.

Question 32

McBurney’s point

Answer 32

Common site of pain appendicitis, 1-2 inches above the anterior iliac crest in a direct line with the umbilicus.

Question 33

Murphy’s Sign

Answer 33

Pain cause when an inflamed gallbladder is palpated by pressing under the right costal margin.