unit 8 (digestive system) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
abdominal ultrasound
a method of using sound waves to generate an image of abdominal organs; often used to diagnose liver cysts, gallstones, tissue abscesses, and abdominal organ enlargement
absorption
the process by which valuable nutrients leave the digestive tract and enter the blood supply
acid blocker
a group of drugs that block acid production in the stomach
amylase
an enzyme that acids in the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates
amylase blood test
a blood test used to detect elevated levels of an enzyme common in pancreatic disorders
anal fistula
an abnormal, tube-like passageway that forms between the anus and the skin near the anus
anorexia
lack of or no appetite
anorexia nervosa
a condition involving self-deprivation of food and pathological weight loss
antibiotic
a drug that fights or prevents bacterial infection
antiemetic
a drug that prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting
antiviral
a drug used to treat viral infections
anus
the opening at the lower end of the digestive tract, through which fecal waste is eliminated
appendicitis
inflammation of the appendix; caused by a blockage that results in infection
appendix
an organ that hangs from the lowest part of the cecum and which has no known function within the digestive system
ascending colon
the part of the colon that extends upward from the cecum
ascites
the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen
bariatric surgery
a term that encompasses the surgical treatments available for morbid obesity, including lap bands, gastric bypasses, and other similar procedures to reduce the size of the stomach or digestive tract
barium enema; lower gastrointestinal (LGI) series
a special X-ray of the large intestine, including the rectum, using barium as a contrast medium
bile
a yellowish-brown or green fluid secreted by the liver to break down fatty foods
borborygmus
the movement of gas and/or fluid through the digestive tract, producing grumbling noises
bulimia nervosa
an eating disorder characterized by binge eating that is followed by induced vomiting, use of laxatives, and/or excessive exercise; often abbreviated to bulimia
capsule endoscopy
the visual examination in which a tiny, wireless camera is used to take pictures of the digestive tract
cardiac sphincter
a ring-like muscle at the end of the esophagus that controls that flow of substances between the esophagus and the stomach
cecum
a pouch that connects to the ileum and forms the first part of the colon
celiac disease
a malabsorption syndrome (condition of faulty absorption) characterized by weight loss and diarrhea; thought to be caused by foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat
cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
cholelithiasis
abnormal condition of stones in the gallbladder
chyme
a pulpy substance that results when acidic gastric juices mix with partially digested food in the stomach
cirrhosis
scarring of the liver due to alcohol, drugs, or a virus such as hepatitis
colon
the large intestine, which connects to the ileum and continues to the anus
colon cancer
malignant tumor of the glandular tissues in the colon, the rectum, or both
colonoscopy
the visual examination of the colon (large intestine) using a scope
complete blood count (CBC)
a routine test that involves counting the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood
constipation
the difficult elimination of stools
Crohn’s disease
a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the digestive tract
crown
the part of a tooth that protrudes above the gum line
deglutition
the act of swallowing
dehydration
a condition in which fluid loss exceeds fluid intake
dental caries
tooth decay or cavity; an infection that destroys the enamel or dentin of the tooth
dental hygienist
a healthcare worker who works under the supervision of a dentist; is licensed to clean and remove stains from teeth, take and develop X-rays, give fluoride treatments, and educate patients about oral hygiene
dentin
the bone-like material of a tooth
dentist
a healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of conditions and diseases of the mouth and gums
descending colon
the part of the colon that extends along the left side of the abdominal cavity
diarrhea
a condition characterized by abnormally frequent elimination of loose or watery stools
diet therapy
a diet specially prescribed to treat a health condition through gradual elimination and/or integration of specific foods
digestion
the process by which food is broken down into smaller components
digestive system
the body system that takes in food, breaks it down physically and chemically into nutrients, and then draws nutrients from the food into the bloodstream; also known as the gastrointestinal tract
duodenum
the first section of the small intestine, which receives food from the stomach, bile from the liver and gallbladder, and pancreatic juice from the pancreas
dyspepsia
painful or difficult digestion, also known as indigestion
dysphagia
painful or difficult swallowing
elimination
the discharge of waste from the body
emesis
vomiting
enamel
the hard covering on a tooth
endoscopy
the examination of body organs or cavities through the use of a scope
enteritis
inflammation of the intestines; characterized by diarrhea
eructation
the release of gas from the stomach through the mouth; commonly known as belching (burp)
esophageal varices
swollen, twisted veins in the distal portion of the esophagus or upper part of the stomach
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
the visual examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a scope
esophagus
the mucous membrane-lines muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach
flatus
gas expelled through the anus
fluoroscopy
an X-ray procedure that uses a fluoroscope to provide real-time moving images of the interior of the body; for example, to examine the swallowing mechanism
gallbladder
a sac-like organ located on the posterior side of the liver that stores bile and releases bile when the body needs it for digestion
gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach and intestines that is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; also called a “stomach bug”
gastroenterologist
a physician who specializes in diseases and conditions of the digestive system
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
the backward flow of stomach acids into the esophagus
gastroscopy
the visual examination of the stomach using a scope
gingiva
the soft tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth; commonly known as the gums
halitosis
bad breath; may be caused by dental, digestive, or respiratory disease
hard palate
the anterior of the roof of the mouth
hematemesis
vomiting of blood
hematochezia
bright red blood (fresh) discharged from the anus
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection
hepatitis A
an acute form of hepatitis usually spread through food contaminated by the feces of a person infected with the virus
hepatitis B
chronic, potentially life-threatening form of hepatitis that is transmitted by blood or other bodily fluids, usually during sexual contact or during childbirth
hepatitis C
chronic hepatitis transmitted by blood or other bodily fluids, usually through blood transfusion or through the use of illegal drug needles; potentially life-threatening
hernia
the protrusion of an organ or structure through the muscle that normally contains it
hiatal hernia
a hernia in which the upper part of the stomach protrudes through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm
ileocecal valve
a sphincter muscle that prevents the backflow of contents from the cecum
ileum
the last section of the small intestine, which is the site of vitamin B12 absorption
ileus
a temporary stoppage of intestinal peristalsis, commonly seen 24 to 72 hours after abdominal surgery, which can result in pain, vomiting, fever, abdominal distention, and absence of stool formation
ingestion
the intake of food and liquids into the body
inguinal hernia
a hernia in which a portion of the intestines protrudes through a weakened part of the lower abdominal wall or groin
insulin
a hormone that aids in the absorption of sugar
intestinal adhesions
fibrous bands of tissue that abnormally bind the intestines together; may result from trauma or inflammation
intestinal obstruction
a partial or complete stoppage of digested food in the intestinal tract
intussusception
the folding of one part of the intestine into the opening of an adjacent section
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
a group of symptoms that includes diarrhea, bloating, cramping, and constipation associated with stress and tension
jaundice
yellow discoloration of the skin and other tissues due to high blood levels of bilirubin, a yellow substance in bile
jejunum
the middle section of the small intestine, in which nutrients from digested food are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine
laparoscopy
the noninvasive visual examination of any internal organ by placing a small scope, called a laparoscope, through the abdominal wall
laxative
a drug that stimulates bowel movements
lipase
an enzyme that aids in the chemical breakdown of fats
liver
a vital organ that converts a carbohydrate called glycogen into glucose when the body’s cells need energy
liver profile
a blood test that measures the different enzymes involved in liver functions and the waste products that are produced as a result
mastication
the process of physical or mechanical digestion that is performed with the teeth and tongue; commonly known as chewing
mouth
the opening of the oral cavity
nausea
an unpleasant sensation the stomach that causes an urge to vomit
occult blood test
a test used to detect hidden blood in the feces
oral cavity
the region consisting of the mouth, tongue, teeth, salivary glands, and pharynx
pancreas
an organ that is responsible for producing many different enzymes that aid in the digestion process
pancreatitis
inflammation of the pancreas
papillae
small, nipple-like protuberances (bumps) that contain taste buds
peptic ulcer
a gastric or duodenal ulcer (open sore) caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) bacterium
periodontal disease
inflammation and degeneration of the gums, teeth, and surrounding bone
peristalsis
a propulsive muscular action that moves food down the pharynx
peritonitis
inflammation of the abdominal cavity caused by bacterial infection; occurs after rupture of an abdominal organ or trauma to the abdominal region
proctoscopy
the visual examination of the rectum using a scope
protease
an enzyme that aids in the chemical breakdown of proteins
pulp
blood vessels and nerve tissue contained in a tooth
pulp cavity
the cavity of a tooth that contains connective tissue
pyloric sphincter
a thick ring of muscular tissue that controls the flow of chyme from the stomach to the small intestine
pylorus
a narrow, muscular passageway that connects the stomach to the small intestine
rectum
the last section of the colon, which functions as a storage area for solid waste until defecation can occur
registered dietitian (RD)
a healthcare worker who supervises the preparation and serving of food in any of a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and schools
regurgitation
the return of swallowed food from the stomach
root
the part of a tooth that is embedded below the gum line
root canal
the chamber of dental pulp lying within the root portion of a tooth
rugae
folds in the lining of the stomach that produce gastric fluids that aid in digestion and provide a protective lining for the stomach
salivary glands
several glands contained in the oral cavity, which excrete saliva
serology test
a test that helps diagnose an infection by seeking a common antigen/antibody reaction through the use of a known antigen or antibody
sigmoid colon
the part of the colon that is connected to the distal end of the descending colon and leads to the rectum
sigmoidoscopy
the visual examination of the sigmoid colon using a scope
small intestine
the longest section of the digestive system, averaging 17 to 20 feet in an adult, in which the absorption of nutrients begins; includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
soft palate
the posterior of the roof of the mouth
stomach
a sac-like organ composed of three major areas, the fundus (upper, rounded portion), the body (the main section), and the antrum (the lower section
strangulating obstruction
a condition in which blood flow to a segment of the intestines is blocked, potentially leading to necrosis (tissue death), gangrene, and perforation
taste receptors
structures contained in taste buds that enable a person to perceive the different tastes in foods
tongue
a muscular organ attached to the floor of the mouth that aids in mastication
transverse colon
the longest part of the colon, which horizontally crosses the abdomen
ulcer
an open sore or lesion of the mucous lining in a gastric organ, such as the stomach or esophagus
ulcerative colitis
chronic inflammation of the colon with ulcers
upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series
a series of X-rays taken of the stomach and duodenum after a patient has swallowed a barium contrast agent
uvula
a finger-like projection of tissue that hangs from the soft palate; covers the nasopharynx during swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the nasal cavity
volvulus
an abnormal twisting of the intestine
