Biliary and Digestive System

Fatty foods Foods containing a large amount of fat (=a natural oily or greasy substance

Alimentos grasos

Sickle cell anemia A genetic blood disorder caused by the presence of an abnormal form of hemoglobin because of which the red blood cells become shaped like a crescent and less able to carry oxygen. It is a chronic disease and occurs most frequently in people of African descent.

Anemia falciforme Drepanocitosis

Gallbladder sludge Syn. Biliary sludge Crystallization (sand-like substance) within bile without stone formation

Barro/lodo biliar

Bilirubin A yellowish substance (pigment) found in bile which is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells.

Bilirrubina

Bile A greenish-yellow fluid that is essential for digesting fats and for eliminating worn-out red blood cells and certain toxins from the body. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Bilis

Hartmann's pouch Syn. Pelvis of gallbladder A sphere- or cone-shaped pocket-like area at the junction of the neck of the gallbladder and the cystic duct.

Bolsa de Hartmann Sin. El infundíbulo

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES®) An experimental surgical procedure when an endoscope is passed through a natural orifice (mouth, urethra, anus, etc.) then through an internal incision in the stomach, vagina, bladder or colon, to the abdominal peritoneal cavity.

Cirugía endoscópica transluminal a través de orificios naturales (NOTES®)

Elective surgery A planned, non-emergency surgical procedure. The procedure is beneficial to the patient but does not need be done at a particular time, as opposed to urgent or emergency surgery.

Cirugía programada

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) A special type of MRI exam that produces detailed images of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems, including the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct.

Colangeopancreatografía por resonancia magnética (CPRM)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) A special type of MRI exam that produces detailed images of the biliary system, including bile ducts and pancreatic duct. A technique in which an endoscope, with a camera on its end, is passed down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the duodenum (small intestine). The entrance of the common bile duct into the duodenum can be viewed through the endoscope. Next, the surgeon can pass a special instrument on the end of the endoscope into the common bile duct as it enters the duodenum. Dye is injected through this instrument into the common bile duct; this allows for the visualization of gallstones by X-ray.

Colangeopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE)

Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) A special type of MRI exam that produces detailed images of the biliary system, including bile ducts and pancreatic duct.

Colangiografía por resonancia magnética (CRM)

Intraoperative cholangiogram A procedure done during gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy), when a catheter (small tube) is placed into the cystic duct to drain bile from the gallbladder into the common bile duct. A dye that blocks X-rays is injected into the common bile duct, and then you will have X-rays taken.

Colangiograma intraoperativo

Cholangitis An infection of the common bile duct, the tube that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestines. It is most often caused by a bacterial infection which can be caused by a blocked duct.

Colangitis

Cholecystectomy Syn. Removal of the gallbladder A surgery when the gallbladder is removed.

Colecistectomía Sin. Extracción de la vesicular biliar

Transoral cholecystectomy using NOTES® An experimental surgery when the gallbladder is removed through the mouth. An endoscope is inserted into the esophagus and a small incision is made in the stomach wall to gain access to the abdominal peritoneal cavity and take the gallbladder out by the same route.

Colecistectomía transoral usando la técnica NOTES®

Cholecystitis Inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly because of obstruction of the duct with gallstones.

Colecistitis

Acute Cholecystitis Syn. Gallbladder attack (Colloq.) A sudden swelling and irritation of the gallbladder, with severe pain, usually caused by a gallstone blocking the cystic duct.

Colecistitis aguda Sinónimo Ataque a la vesícula (coloquial)

Choledocholithiasis A condition when at least one gallstone is present in the common bile duct.

Coledocolitiasis

Cholelithiasis Syn. (Colloq.) Gallstone disease A condition when gallstones are present in the gallbladder.

Colelitiasis Sin. Enfermedad biliar o de la vesícula o litiasis biliar

Endoscopic biliary stenting A procedure done to open a blocked bile duct. During the procedure, a stent is placed into the blocked bile duct.

Colocación de stent biliar

Castor oil packs A piece of cloth soaked in castor oil which is placed on the skin in the area of the affected organ. Alternative practitioners use it to improve liver function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and to improve digestion

Compresas de aceite de ricino

Duct A tube or vessel, a passageway.

Conducto

Common bile duct A duct formed by the union of the cystic and hepatic ducts, which carries bile to the duodenum (small intestine).

Conducto biliar común

Comman Hepatic Duct The duct formed by the junction of the right hepatic duct (which drains bile from the right half of the liver) and the left hepatic duct (which drains bile from the left half of the liver). The common hepatic duct then joins the cystic duct coming from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct.

Conducto hepático común

Cystic Duct The short duct that joins the gallbladder to the common bile duct.

Conducto o canal colédoco

Pancreatic duct A duct joining the pancreas to the duodenum (small intestine).

Conducto pancreático

Neck of the gallbladder The narrow portion between the body of the gallbladder and beginning of the cystic duct.

Cuello de la vesícula biliar

Gallstone A piece of solid crystal material that forms in the gallbladder.

Cálculo biliar o piedra en la vesícula

Cholesterol gallstones Usually yellow-green colored stones consisting of cholesterol; may develop as a result of too much cholesterol in the bile or the inability of the gallbladder to empty properly.

Cálculos biliares de colesterol

Pigment gallstones Brown-to-black colored stones made up of bilirubin. Pigment stones are more common in people with certain medical conditions, such as cirrhosis or blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia.

Cálculos biliares pigmentarios

Gallbladder cancer Cancer originated in the gallbladder.

Cáncer de la vesicula

Biliary colic A steady or intermittent ache in the upper abdomen, usually under the right side of the rib cage. It happens when something blocks the normal flow of bile from the gallbladder. Gallstones are the most common reason for biliary colic.

Cólico biliar

Low-fat diet The food prescribed for a person that limits the amount of fat eaten each day.

Dieta baja en grasas

Digestion

Digestión

Gallbladder dyskinesia Syn. Gallbladder (Biliary) dysmotilityA disease that occurs when there is incomplete or uncoordinated emptying of the gallbladder.

Disquinesia de la vesicular biliar Sin. Dismotilidad de la vesícula biliar

Distended Enlarged, swollen due to pressure from inside; bloated.

Distendido

Duodenum The first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach.

Duodeno

Abdominal ultrasound A diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the organs in the abdomen, including gallbladder, bile duct, and their contents.

Ecografía abdominal (Sonograma abdominal- coloquial)

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) A diagnostic procedure when the ultrasound probe is passed down the throat or up the rectum and into the digestive tract. It is used to examine the esophageal and stomach linings as well as the walls of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, and other organs that are near the gastrointestinal tract, including the lungs, liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

Ecografía endoscópica (EUS , siglas en inglés) (Sonograma endoscópico - coloquial)

Endoscopy Visual examination of the interior of a body cavity or a hollow organ by means of an instrument called endoscope.

Endoscopia

Endoscope A lighted tube that is inserted through a natural orifice of the body to view the interior of a body cavity or a hollow organ.

Endoscopio

Endoscopist A medical specialist trained in endoscopy

Endoscopista

Gallbladder disease A general term referring to either of the two conditions: having gallstones (Cholelithiasis) or inflammation of the gallbladder (Cholecystitis).

Enfermedad de la vesícula biliar

HIDA scan (Hydroxy Iminodiacetic Acid) Syn. Cholescintigraphy; Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy; Gallbladder scan (Colloq.)A diagnostic imaging procedure done by nuclear medicine physicians to diagnose obstruction of the bile ducts, disease of the gallbladder, and bile leaks. It uses a radioactive chemical injected in an arm and traced by a special (gamma) camera to produce a two-dimensional picture. The name HIDA comes from an early tracer used for the scan, hydroxy iminodiacetic acid.

Escán con ácido hidroxi-iminodiacético (HIDA). Sin. colescintigrafía; cintigrafía hepatobiliar; escán de la vesícula(coloquial)

Sphincter A ring-shaped muscle that surrounds a body opening or one of its hollow organs and that can tighten to close the opening or relax to open it.

Esfínter

Sphincter of Oddi A ring-shaped muscle surrounding the lower end of the common bile and pancreatic ducts as they cross the wall of the duodenum (small intestine). It controls the flow of the bile and pancreatic juice into the duodenum.

Esfínter de Oddi

Sphincterotomy A procedure done during ERCP when a small incision is made through the endoscope, which enlarges the opening of the common bile duct into the duodenum. The stones can then pass through.

Esfínterotomía

Common Bile Duct (CBD) exploration A surgical procedure to remove gallstones from the common bile duct, usually performed in connection with cholecystectomy (removal of gallbladder).

Exploración del conducto biliar común

Risk factor Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease.

Factor de riesgo

Gastroenterologist A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system.

Gastroenterólogo

Liver The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on the right side. It performs complex functions, including cleaning blood and producing bile.

Hígado

Jaundice A condition when the skin, mucus membranes, or whites of the eyes turn yellow. The yellow coloring comes from excess of the pigment bilirubin; typically caused by an obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or by excessive breakdown of red blood cells.

Ictericia

To radiate to the scapular area To spread to the shoulder blade area.

Irradiar hacia la región escapular

Laparoscope A thin flexible lighted tube that is inserted through a small cut in the abdomen, usually in the navel, to enable a doctor to view the internal organs and operate.

Laparoscopio

Laparoscopy A surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to permit a surgical procedure.

Laparoscopía

Limpieza del hígado y la vesícula biliar Sin. Desintoxicación del hígado y vesícula biliar

Lavado del hígado y la vesícula biliar

Liver & gallbladder cleanse Syn. Liver & gallbladder detox In alternative medicine, it is a type of diet and herbal remedies that helps the body to eliminate and neutralize unwanted waste products and harmful chemicals (toxins).

Limpieza del hígado y la vesícula biliar Sin. Desintoxicación del hígado y vesícula biliar

Shock-wave lithotripsy A procedure which uses carefully aimed sound shock waves to break up gallstones.

Litotricia con ondas de choque

Gallstones may close the opening and make the flow of bile impossible.

Los cálculos biliares/Las piedras en la vesícula pueden obstruir

Nuclear medicine A branch of medicine dealing with the use of radioactive materials in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Medicina nuclear

Obstruction Blockage; barrier

Obstrucción

Pancreatitis Inflammation of the pancreas.

Pancreatitis

To pass gallstones To push gallstones out of the gallbladder and through the bile ducts; to expel.

Pasar cálculos biliares

Hepatic Function Panel Syn. Liver Function Tests A series of blood tests to screen for, detect, evaluate, and monitor acute and chronic liver inflammation (hepatitis), liver disease and/or and damage

Pruebas/Analisis de las funciones hepáticas

Gallbladder polyps Growths that protrude from the lining of the inside of the gallbladder.

Pólipos en la vesícula

Bile reflux Syn. Biliary reflux; Duodenogastric reflux A condition that occurs when bile flows upward (backs up, refluxes) into the stomach and esophagus. Bile reflux may accompany acid reflux.

Reflujo de bilis Sin. Reflujo biliar; reflujo duodenogástrico

Biliary system The organs and ducts that create and store bile and release it into the duodenum (small intestine). The biliary system includes the gallbladder and bile ducts inside and outside the liver.

Sistema biliar

Thalassemia A group of inherited blood disorders in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. The disorder is characterized by reduced or absent amounts of hemoglobin resulting in large numbers of red blood cells being destroyed, which leads to anemia. It occurs chiefly in people of Mediterranean origin

Talasemia

Fundus of the gallbladder The part of the gallbladder that is farthest from the opening.

The part of the gallbladder

Gallbladder A small pear-shaped sac located under the liver that stores and concentrates bile produced in the liver.

Vesícula biliar