Gastroenterology Vocabulary

Question 1

ascites

Answer 1

Accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity

Question 2

barium enema (BE)

Answer 2

X-ray examination of intestine and colon using barium as contrast medium;

Question 3

cirrhosis

Answer 3

Chronic liver disease

Question 4

crohn disease

Answer 4

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease with mucous membrane ulcers;

Question 5

dysentery

Answer 5

Acute intestinal condition with pain, diarrhea, and blood and mucus in stools;

Question 6

esophageal atresia

Answer 6

Congenital lack of the connection between esophagus and stomach;

Question 7

esophageal varices

Answer 7

Varicose veins in esophagus;

Question 8

gastric bypass

Answer 8

Surgical treatment for obesity;

Question 9

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Answer 9

Occurs when stomach acid backs up into esophagus

Question 10

helicobacter pylori antibody test

Answer 10

Clinical lab test for presence of bacteria known to cause gastric ulcers

Question 11

hemorrhoids

Answer 11

Varicose veins in rectum

Question 12

ileus

Answer 12

Obstruction of intestine that occurs when muscular movements stop moving food or blockage prevents food from moving through digestive tract

Question 13

intussusception

Answer 13

Occurs when one section of intestine slips or telescopes into another section of intestine

Question 14

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Answer 14

Disturbance in normal functioning of bowel characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea;

Question 15

jaundice

Answer 15

Yellow-colored skin and whites of eyes associated with liver disease

Question 16

melena

Answer 16

Very dark, tarry stools due to presence of blood

Question 17

nausea

Answer 17

Feeling of urge to vomit

Question 18

ova and parasites (O&P)

Answer 18

Clinical lab test for presence of parasites or their eggs in feces

Question 19

peptic ulcer disease

Answer 19

Craterlike erosion occurring on mucous membrane of lower esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum;

Question 20

ulcerative colitis

Answer 20

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by formation of ulcers on mucous membrane of colon.

Question 21

upper gastrointestinal series

Answer 21

X-ray examination of esophagus and stomach using barium as contrast medium;

Question 22

volvulus

Answer 22

Length of bowel that becomes twisted around itself

Question 23

vomit

Answer 23

Forceful return of stomach contents out of mouth

Question 24

BM

Answer 24

bowel movement

Question 25

GERD

Answer 25

gastroesophageal reflux disease

Question 26

GI

Answer 26

gastrointestinal

Question 27

IBS

Answer 27

irritable bowel syndrome