Medical Terminology Chapter 8

peristalsis

a series of wave-like contractions of the smooth muscles in a single direction that moves the food forward into the digestive system

total parenteral nutrition/TPN

a specialized solution administered intravenously to patients who cannot or should not get their nutrition through eating

anastomosis(es)

a surgical connection between two hollow or tubular structure

gastrostomy tube(s)/G-tube

a surgically placed feeding tube from the exterior of the body directly into the stomach

jaundice

a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes

aer/o

air, gas

ascites

an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity

leukoplakia

an abnormal white precancerous lesion that develops inside the mouth in response to chronic irritation

cholangitis

an acute inflammation of the bile duct characterized by pain in the upper-right quadrant of the abdomen, fever, and jaundice

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by a false perception of body appearance that leads to a refusal to maintain a normal body weight

bulimia nervosa

an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting

obesity

an excessive accumulation of fat in the body

choledocholithotomy(ies)

an incision in the common bile duct for the removal of gallstones

salmonellosis

an infectious disease transmitted by feces, either through direct contact or by eating contaminated raw or undercooked food

celiac disease

an inherited autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe reaction to foods containing gluten

proct/o

anus and rectum

an/o

anus, ring

trismus

any restriction to the opening of the mouth caused by trauma, surgery, or radiation associated with the treatment of oral cancer

ova and parasites/O&P

bacteria cultures of the stool examined in a laboratory

chol/e

bile, gall

eruct/o, eructat/o

blech forth

herpes labialis; herpes simplex virus type 1/HSV-1

blister-like sores on the lips caused by HSV-1

col/o, colon/o

colon, large intestine

gastrointestinal tract/GI

contains the organs of the digestive system

dysphagia

difficulty in swallowing

-pepsia

digest, digestion

colonoscopy(ies)/COL

direct visual examination of the inner surface of the colon from the rectum to the cecum

xer/o

dry

-phagia

eating, swallowing

esophageal varix(ces)

enlarged and swollen veins at the lower end of the esophagus

esophag/o

esophagus

aerophagia

excessive swallowing of air while eating or drinking

hyperemesis

extreme, persistent vomiting that can cause dehydration

cholecyst/o

gallbladder

aphthous ulcer(s)

gray-white pits with a red border in the soft tissues lining the mouth

inguin/o

groin

occult/o

hidden, concealed

ile/o

ileum, small intestine

emetic drug(s)

induces vomiting

cholecystitis

inflammation of the gallbladder that is usually associated with gallstones

hepatitis

inflammation of the liver

stomatitis

inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth

enteritis

inflammation of the small intestine caused by eating or drinking substances contaminated with viral or bacterial pathogens

diverticulitis

inflammation or infection of one or more diverticula in the wall of the colon

cheil/o, labi/o

lip or lips

hepat/o

liver

antiemetic drug(s)

medication administered to prevent or relieve nausea and vomitting

laxative drug(s)

medications or foods given to stimulate bowel movements

proton pump inhibitor drug(s)/PPI

medications that decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach

antacid drug(s)

medications to relieve indigestion or help peptic ulcers heal by neutralizing stomach acids

stom/o, stomat/o

mouth, oral cavity

obes/o

obese, extremely fat

hiat/o

opening

dyspepsia

pain or discomfort in digestion

palat/o

palate, roof of mouth

cachexia

physical wasting away due to the loss of weight and muscle mass that occurs in patients with diseases such as advanced cancer or AIDS

plak/o, -plakia

plaque, plate, thin flat layer or scale

-lithiasis

presence of stones

bar/o

pressure, weight

rect/o

rectum, straight

volv/o

roll, turn

sigmoid/o

sigmoid colon

enter/o

small intestine

peptic ulcer disease/PUD

sores that affect the mucous membranes of the digestive system

gastr/o

stomach, belly

palatoplasty

surgical repair of a cleft palate or lip

eructation

the act of belching or raising gas orally from the stomach

bariatric(s)

the branch of medicine for the prevention and control of obesity and associated diseases

diverticulosis(es)

the chronic presence of an abnormal number of diverticula in the wall of the colon

morbid obesity

the condition of weighing two or more times the ideal weight or having a body mass index value greater than 40

sigmoidoscopy(ies)

the endoscopic examination of the interior of the rectum, sigmoid colon, and possibly a portion of the descending colon

esophagogastroduodenoscopy(ies)/EGD

the endoscopic examination of the upper GI tract

gastroduodenostomy(ies)

the establishment of an anastomosis between the upper portion of the stomach and the duodenum

inflammatory bowel disease(s)/IBD

the general name for the diseases that cause inflammation and swelling in the intestines

xerostomia

the lack of adequate saliva due to diminished secretions by the salivary glands

ileus

the partial or complete blockage of the small and/or large intestine

melena

the passage of black, tarry, and foul-smelling stools

nasogastric intubation/NG tube

the placement of a tube through the nose and into the stomach

cholelithiasis(es)

the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts

inguinal hernia/IH

the protrusion of a small loop of bowel through a weak place in the lower abdominal wall or groin

hiatal hernia/HH

the protrusion of part of the stomach through an opening in the diaphragm

regurgitation

the return of swallowed food into the mouth

borborygmus

the rumbling noise caused by the movement of gas in the intestine

colostomy(ies)

the surgical creation of an artificial excretory opening between the colon and the body surface

cholecystectomy(ies)/chole

the surgical removal of the gallbladder

gastroesophageal reflux disease/GERD

the upward flow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus

hematemesis

the vomiting of blood

volvulus

twisting of the intestine on itself, causing an abstruction

antidiarrheal drug(s)

used to control diarrhea

H2 receptor antagonist drug(s)

used to treat peptic ulcers and GERD; blocks H2 receptors to decrease the production of stomach acid

-emesis

vomitting

Crohn's disease

a chronic autoimmune disorder that can occur anywhere in the digestive tract; however, it is most often found in the ileum and in the colon

ulcerative colitis/UC

a chronic condition of unknown cause in which repeated episodes of inflammation in the rectum and large intestine cause ulcers and irritation

cirrhosis

a chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by scarring

irritable bowel syndrome/IBS

a common condition of unknown cause with symptoms that can include intermittent cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea

cheilosis

a disorder of the lips characterized by crack-like sores at the corners of the mouth

Hemoccult test(s); fecal occult blood test(s)/FOBT

a laboratory test for hidden blood in the stools

polyp(s)

a mushroom-like growth from the surface of a mucous membrane

body mass index/BMI

a number that shows body weight adjusted for height

gallbladder(s)/GB

a pear-shaped organ about the size of an egg located under the liver; stores and concentrates bile for later use

proctologist(s)

a physician who specializes in disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus

cholangiography(ies)

a radiographic examination of the bile ducts with the use of a contrast medium