Module 11 - Disease of the GI Tract

Question 1

Absorption

Answer 1

the process of taking up nutrients and other materials from the external environment of the gastrointestinal tract into the internal environment of the body.

Question 2

Adhesion

Answer 2

a fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate anatomical structures.

Question 3

appendicitis

Answer 3

acute inflammation of the appendix which may lead to perforation of the appendix wall and subsequent peritonitis.

Question 4

Crohn’s disease

Answer 4

a transmural inflammatory disease that can affect any portion of the digestive tract but principally affects the small intestine and occasionally the colon.

Question 5

digestion

Answer 5

the process of breaking foods down into smaller constituent parts.

Question 6

diverticulum

Answer 6

a pouch or sac branching out from a hollow organ or structure, such as the intestine. The presence of diverticula is often referred to as diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of diverticula often causing pain, and stagnation of fecal matter.

Question 7

dysphagia

Answer 7

difficulty swallowing.

Question 8

fistula

Answer 8

an abnormal duct or passage connecting an abscess, cavity or hollow organ to the body surface or to another hollow organ.

Question 9

Helicobacter pylori

Answer 9

a type of bacteria that appear as small curved rods and are commonly found in the surface mucosal layer of epithelial cells in individuals affected by peptic ulcer disease; thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Question 10

hematemesis

Answer 10

vomiting of blood.

Question 11

hematochezia

Answer 11

red blood in the stool; the source of blood is from the lower GI tract (distal small intestine, colon or rectum).

Question 12

hernia

Answer 12

the protrusion of an organ or other structure through the wall of the cavity normally containing it.

Question 13

inflammatory bowel disease

Answer 13

includes both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and is characterized by inflammation of the bowel, an unknown casual agent, a pattern of familial inheritance and systemic manifestations.

Question 14

intussusception

Answer 14

when a segment of small bowel becomes telescoped into the immediately distal bowel.

Question 15

melena

Answer 15

black blood in the stool; the source of blood is typically from the stomach or duodenum and is thus acted upon by digestive enzymes creating its black appearance.

Question 16

occult bleeding

Answer 16

blood in stools that is not visible to the naked eye.

Question 17

peptic ulcer

Answer 17

a break in the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract produced by the action of gastric secretions (i.e. acid and pepsin). Most peptic ulcers are in the stomach and duodenum.

Question 18

perforation

Answer 18

abnormal opening in a hollow organ ex. bowel perforation in the digestive tract.

Question 19

peritonitis

Answer 19

inflammation of the peritoneum; peritoneum = the membrane lining the walls of the abdominal and pelvic cavities and surrounding the contained organs.

Question 20

peristalsis

Answer 20

a wave of contractions and relaxations of the digestive tract propelling its contents towards the anus.

Question 21

polyp

Answer 21

a general term used to describe any mass of tissue that projects outwards from a normally smooth surface. These masses may be neoplasms, inflammatory lesions, malformations, and other lesions as well.

Question 22

stricture

Answer 22

a narrowing of a tubular structure, usually consisting of a contracture or deposition of abnormal tissue (may result from infection, trauma, muscular spasm or mechanical or chemical irritation).

Question 23

ulcerative colitis

Answer 23

an inflammatory disease of the colon which commonly presents with chronic diarrhea and rectal bleeding.

Question 24

volvulus

Answer 24

a twisting of the intestine causing an obstruction and often impairing blood supply resulting in infarction.