The Digestive System: Supplementary Terms Flashcards
cardia
the part of the stomach near the esophagus, named for its closeness to the heart
chyme
the semiliquid partially digested food that moves from the stomach into the small intestine
defecation
the evacuation of feces from the rectum
deglutition
swallowing
duodenal bulb
the part of the duodenum near the pylorus; the first bend (flexure) of the duodenum
duodenal papilla
the raised area where the common bile duct and pancreatic duct ender the duodenum; papilla of Vater
greater omentum
a fold of the peritoneum that extends from the stomach over the abdominal region
hepatic fleuxure
the right bend of the colon, forming the junction between the ascending colon and the transverse colon
ileocecal valve
a valve-like structure between the ileum of the small intestine and the cecum of the large intestine
mesentery
the portion of the peritoneum that folds over and supports the intestine
mesocolon
the portion of the peritoneum that folds over and supports the colon
rugae
the large folds in the stomach’s lining seen when the stomach is empty
sphincter of Oddi
the muscular ring at the opening of the common bile duct into the duodenum
splenic flexure
the left bend of the colon, forming the junction between the transverse colon and the descending colon
achalasia
failure of smooth muscle to relax, especially the lower esophageal sphincter, so that food is retained in the esophagus
achlorhydria
lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach; opposite is hyperchlorhydria
anorexia
loss of appetite. Anorexia nervosa is a psychologically induced refusal or inability to eat
aphagia
inability to swallow or difficulty in swallowing; refusal or inability to eat
aphthous ulcer
an ulcer in a mucous membrane, as in the mouth
bruxism
clenching and grinding of the teeth, usually in deep sleep
bulimia
excessive, insatiable appetite. A disorder characterized by overeating followed by induced vomiting, diarrhea, or fasting
cachexia
profound ill health, malnutrition, and wasting
cheilosis
cracking at the corners of the mouth, often caused by B vitamin deficiency
cholestasis
stoppage of bile flow
constipation
infrequency or difficulty in defecation and the passage of hard, dry feces
dyspepsia
poor or painful digestion
eructation
belching
familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
a heredity condition in which multiple polyps form in the colon and rectum, predisposing to colorectal cancer
flatulence
condition of having gas or air in the GI tract
flatus
gas or air in the GI tract; gas or air expelled through the anus
hematemesis
vomiting of blood
IBS
irritable bowel syndrome : a chronic stress-related disease characterized by diarrhea, constipation, and pain associated with rhythmic intestinal contractions. Mucous colitis; spastic colon
megacolon
an extremely dilated colon. Usually congenital but may occur acute ulcerative colitis
melena
black tarry feces resulting from blood in the intestines. Common in newborns. May also be a sign of GI bleeding
obstipation
extreme constipation
pernicious anemia
a form of anemia caused by the stomach
s failure to secrete intrinsic factor, a substance needed for the absorption of vitamin B12
pilonidal cyst
a dermal cyst in the sacral region, usually at the top of the cleft between the buttocks. May become infected and begin to drain
thrush
fungal infection of the mouth or throat caused by Candida; appears as mucosal white patches or ulcers
Vincent disease
severe gingivitis with necrosis associated with the bacterium Treponema Vincentii ; necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis; trench mouth
appendectomy
surgical removal of the appendix
briatrics
the branch of medicine concerned with prevention and control of obesity and associated diseases
bariatric surgery
surgery to reduce the size of the stomach and reduce nutrient absorption in the treatment of morbid obesity. Most common: gastric bypass surgery, which involved division of the stomach and anastomosis of its upper part to the small intestine (jejunum). Other methods: gastric stapling, partitioning of the stomach with rows of staples and gastric binding, which involves a laparoscopic placement of an adjustable loop (Lap-band) that reduces stomach capacity
Billroth operations
Gastrectomy with anastomosis of the stomach to the duodenum (Billroth I) or to the jejunum (Billroth II)
gavage
process of feeding through a nasogastric tube into the stomach
lavage
washing out of a cavity; irrigation
manometry
measurement of pressure; pertaining to the GI tract, measurement of pressure in the portal system as a sign of obstruction
Murphy sign
inability to take a deep breath when fingers are pressed firmly below the RT arch of the ribs (below the liver). Signifies gallbladder disease
NG tube
nasogastric tube: tube that is passed through the nose into the stomach. May be used for emptying the stomach, administering medication, giving liquids, or sampling stomach contents
parenteral hyperalimentation
complete intravenous feeding for one who cannot take in food. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube
tube inserted into the stomach for long -term feeding
vagotomy
interruption of vagal nerve impulses to reduce stomach secretions in the treatment of a gastric ulcer. Originally done surgically but may also be done with drugs
antacid
agent that counteracts acidity, usually gastric acidity
antidiarrheal
drug that treats or prevents diarrhea by reducing intestinal motility or absorbing irritants and soothing the intestinal lining
antiemetic
agent that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting
antiflatulent
agent that relieves or prevents flatulence
antispasmodic
agent that relieves spasms, usually of smooth muscle
emetic
an agent that causes vomiting
histamine H2 antagonist
drug that decreases secretion of stomach acid by interfering with action of histamine at H2 receptors. Used to treat ulcers and other GI problems. H2 - receptor- blocking agent.
laxative
agent that promotes elimination from the large intestine. Types include stimulants, substances that retain water (hyperosmotics), stool softeners, and bulk- forming agents.
proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
agent that inhibits gastric acid by blocking the transport of hydrogen ions (protons) into the stomach
bolus
a mass, such as the rounded mass of food that is swallowed
