6.3 Digestive System

sphincter

A circular muscle that either constricts and closes the opening or relaxes and allows substances to pass through the opening.

fissure

A crack, cleft, or narrow opening.

exocrine

A glandular secretion released through a duct.

endocrine

A glandular secretion that is released into the blood or lymph directly (does not go through a duct).

polyp

A growth or mass protruding from a mucous membrane (e.g., nose, bladder, intestine).

mucous membrane

A mucus-producing membrane that lines tracts and structures of the body (e.g., GI tract, respiratory tract); also called mucosa.

fistula

A permanent abnormal passageway between an abscess, organ, or cavity to the body surface or another organ resulting from a congenital disorder, disease, or injury.

colostomy

A surgical procedure in which the large intestine is brought though the abdominal wall, creating either a temporary or a permanent opening (stoma) to allow stool to pass out of the body.

dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing.

enema

Fluid introduced into the rectum for a therapeutic or diagnostic purpose.

rugae

Folds in the wall of an organ; when organ (e.g., stomach, bladder, uterus) fills or needs to expand, the rugae unfold.

occult

Hidden or unseen.

cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

hemolytic uremic syndrome

Kidney disorder that can occur after a digestive infection with E. coli, shigella, or salmonella; red blood cells are destroyed and block the kidneys' filtering system, causing acute kidney failure.

epiglottis

Lid-like structure over the glottis that prevents food and liquids from entering the trachea when swallowing occurs.

rebound pain

Pain felt when the pressure on the abdomen is released.

intrinsic factor

Secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach; necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 to prevent pernicious anemia.

plaque

Sticky substance made of mucus, food particles, and bacteria that builds up on the exposed part of the tooth.

resection

Surgical removal of all or part of an organ.

lumen

The cavity, channel, or open space within a tube or tubular organ.

peristalsis

Wave-like movement from alternate circulate contraction and relaxation of a tubular structure (e.g., intestine), which propels the content forward.

emulsifies

When a substance suspends tiny droplets of one liquid into a second liquid. By creating an emulsion, you can mix two liquids that usually do not mix well, such as oil and water.