The Digestive System Pathology Flashcards
Dentistry
Branch of healthcare involved with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions involving the teeth, jaw, and mouth. Practitioner is a ‘dentist.’
Gastroenterology
Branch of medicine involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system. Physician is a ‘gastroenterologist.’
Oral Surgery
Branch of dentistry that uses surgical means to treat dental conditions. Specialist is an ‘oral surgeon.’
Orthodontics
Branch of dentistry concerned with correction of problems with tooth alignment. Specialist is an ‘orthodontist.’
Periodontics
Branch of dentistry concerned with treating conditions involving the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth. Specialist is a ‘periodontist.’
Proctology
Branch of medicine involved in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the anus and rectum. Physician is a ‘proctologist.’
Anorexia
General term meaning loss of appetite that may accompany other conditions. Also used to refer to ‘anorexia nervosa,’ which is an eating disorder involving the refusal to eat
Aphagia
Being unable to swallow or eat
Ascites
Collection or accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
Bradypepsia
Having a slow digestive system
Cachexia
Loss of weight and generalized wasting that occurs during a chronic disease
Cholecystalgia
Having gallbladder pain
Constipation
Experiencing difficulty in defecation or infrequent defecation
Dentalgia
Tooth pain
Diarrhea
Passing of frequent, watery, or bloody bowel movements. Usually accompanies gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
Dysorexia
Abnormal appetite; usually a diminished appetite
Dyspepsia
‘Upset stomach’; indigestion
Emesis
Vomiting
Gastralgia
Stomach pain
Hematemesis
Vomiting blood
Hematochezia
Passing bright red blood in the stools
Hyperemesis
Excessive vomiting
Jaundice
Yellow cast to the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes caused by the deposit of bile pigment from too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product produced when worn-out red blood cells are broken down. May be a symptom of a disorder such as gallstones blocking the common bile duct or carcinoma of the liver. Also called ‘icterus.’
Melena
Passage of dark tarry stools. Color is the result of digestive enzymes working on blood in the gastrointestinal tract
Nausea
Urge to vomit
Obesity
Body weight that is above a healthy level. A person whose weight interferes with normal activity and body function has ‘morbid obesity.’
Polyphagia
Excessive eating; eating too much
Postprandial
After a meal
Pyrosis
Pain and burning sensation usually caused by stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus, Commonly called ‘heartburn.’
Regurgitation
Return of fluids and solids from the stomach into the mouth
Aphthous Ulcers
Painful ulcers in the mouth of unknown cause. Commonly called ‘canker sores.’
Cleft Lip (CLEFT)
Congenital anomaly in which the upper lip and jaw bone fail to fuse in the midline, leaving an open gap. Often seen along with a cleft palate. Corrected with surgery
Cleft Palate
Congenital anomaly in which the roof of the mouth has a split or fissure. Corrected with surgery
Dental Caries
Gradual decay and disintegration of teeth caused by bacteria; may lead to abscessed teeth. Commonly called a ‘tooth cavity.’
Gingivitis
Inflammation of the gums
Herpes Labialis
Infection of the lip by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Also called ‘fever blisters’ or ‘cold sores.’
Periodontal Disease
Disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums and bones; the most common cause of tooth loss
Sialadenitis
Inflammation of a salivary gland
Esophageal Varices
Enlarged and swollen varicose veins in the lower end of the esophagus. If these rupture, serious hemorrhage results; often related to liver disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acid from the stomach flows backward up into the esophagus causing inflammation and pain
Pharyngoplegia
Paralysis of the throat muscles
Gastric Carcinoma
Cancerous tumor in the stomach
Gastritis
Stomach inflammation
Gastroenteritis
Inflammation of stomach and small intestine
Hiatal Hernia
Protrusion of the stomach through the diaphragm (also called a ‘diaphragmatocele’) and extending into the thoracic cavity; gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common symptom
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Ulcer occurring in the lower portion of the esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum; thought to be caused by the acid of gastric juices. Initial damage to the protective lining of the stomach may be caused by a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection. If the ulcer extends all the way through the wall of the stomach, it is called a ‘perforated ulcer,’ which requires immediate surgery to repair
Anal Fistula
Abnormal tube-like passage from the surface around the anal opening directly into the rectum
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix; may require an ‘appendectomy.’
Bowel Incontinence
Inability to control defecation
Colorectal Carcinoma
Cancerous tumor originating in the colon or rectum
Crohn’s Disease
Form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting primarily the ileum and/or colon. Also called ‘regional ileitis.’ This autoimmune condition affects all the layers of the bowel wall and results in scarring and thickening of the gut wall
Diverticulitis
Inflammation of a diverticulum (an out-pouching off the gut), especially in the colon. Inflammation often results when food becomes within the pouch
Diverticulosis
Condition of having diverticula (outpouches off the gut). May lead to diverticulitis if one becomes inflamed
Dysentery
Disease characterized by diarrhea, often with mucus and blood, sever abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration. Caused by ingesting food or water contaminated by chemicals, bacteria, protozoans, or parasites
Enteritis
Inflammation of the small intestines
Hemorrhoids
Varicose veins in the rectum and anus
Ileus
Severe abdominal pain, inability to pass stools, vomiting, and abdominal distension as a result of an intestinal blockage. The blockage can be a physical block such as a tumor or the failure of bowel contents to move forward due to loss of peristalsis (a nonmechanical blockage). May require surgery to reverse the blockage
Inguinal Hernia
Hernia or protrusion of a loop of small intestines into the inguinal (groin) region through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle wall that develops into a hole. May become incarcerated or strangulated if the muscle tightens down around the loop of intestines and cuts off its blood flow
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Disturbance in the functions of the intestine from unknown causes. Symptoms generally include abdominal discomfort and an alteration in bowel activity. Also called ‘spastic colon’ or ‘functional bowel syndrome.’
Polyp
Small tumor with pedicle or stem attachment; commonly found in vascular organs such as nose, uterus, and rectum
Polyposis
Presence of small tumors, called “polyps,” containing a pedicle or stemlike attachment in the mucous membranes of the large intestine (colon); may be precancerous
Proctoptosis
Prolapsed or drooping rectum
Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic inflammatory condition resulting in numerous ulcers formed on the mucous membrane lining of the colon; the cause is unknown. Also known as ‘inflammatory bowel disease’ (IBD)
Volvulus
Condition in which the bowel twists upon itself causing an obstruction; painful and requires immediate surgery
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder; most commonly caused by gallstones in the gallbladder or common bile duct that block the flow of bile
Cholelithiasis
Presence of gallstones; may or may not cause symptoms such as ‘cholecystalgia.’
Cirrhosis
Chronic disease of the liver associated with failure of the liver to function properly
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, usually due to a viral infection. Different viruses are transmitted by different routes, such as sexual contact or from exposure to blood or fecally contaminated water or food
Hepatoma
Liver tumor
Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas
