Medical Terminology, chapter 6: Digestive System (Diseases & conditions, medical, surgical & diagnostic procedures, pharmacology & abbreviations)

laparoscopically

A small surgical incision (cut) is made in the abdominal wall to permit the laparoscope to enter the abdomen or pelvis.

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB)

Bariatric surgery that involves stapling stomach to decrease size & then shortening jejunum & connecting it to small stomach pouch, causing base of duodenum leading from nonfunctioning portion of stomach to form a Y configuration, which decreases pathway of food thru intestine, thus reducing absorption of calories & fats. performed laparoscopically or open procedure (laparotomy), depending on health of patient. RGB is most commonly performed weight-loss-surgery today.

Ba

Barium--contrast medium used for xrays of GI tract.

RGB

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

celi/o

abdomen

ascites

abnormal accumulation of fluid in abdominal cavity, result of chronic liver disease. associated w/cirrhosis of liver, when caused by alcoholism. failure of liver to produce albumin (protein that regulates amount of fluid in circulatory system), combined w/portal hypertension, forces fluid to pass from circulatory system & accumulate in peritoneum.

proct/o

anus, rectum

orexia

appetite

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

backflow of gastric contents into esophagus due to malfunction of sphincter muscle at inferior portion of esophagus. may occur whenever pressure in stomach is greater than in esophagus & may be associated w/heartburn, esophagitis, hiatal hernia or chest pain.

regurgitation

backward flowing, as in return of solids or fluids to mouth from stomach.

vertical banded gastroplasty

bariatric surgery that involves stapling upper stomach near esophagus to reduce it to a small pouch & insertion of band that restricts food consumption & delays passage from pouch, causing feeling of fullness.

BaE, BE

barium enema: special xray of large intestine including colon & rectum. colon must be completely emptied before exam. enema tube inserted into rectum. tube has barium sulfate(the contrast medium). Barium flows into colon & xrays taken. balloon at tip of tube can be inflated to keep barium inside colon.

submandibular gland

beneath mandible or lower jaw. also produce saliva to aid digestive process.

BMI

body mass index

morbid obesity

body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, which is generally 100 pounds or more over ideal body weight.

BM

bowel movement

emulsifies

break down

endoscopic ultrasound

combines endoscopy & ultrasound to examine and obtain images of digestive tract and surrounding tissue and organs. a long, flexible tube (endoscope) inserted via mouth or rectum emits high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) that produce images of organs & structures.

CT

computed tomography

antidiarrheals

control loose stools & relieve diarrhea by absorbing excess water in bowel or slowing peristalsis in intestinal tract.

antiemetics

control nausea & vomiting by blocking nerve impulses to vomiting center of brain. some emetics act by hastening movement of food thru digestive tract.

antacids

counteract or neutralize acidity, usually in stomach. treat & prevent heartburn & acid reflux.

colostomy

creation of opening of a portion of colon thru abdominal wall to its outside surface in order to divert fecal flow to a colostomy bag.

antispasmodics

decrease gastrointestinal (GI) tract by slowing peristalsis & motility thruout GI tract. prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), spastic colon and diverticulitis.

periodontics

dental specialty focused on treatment of gums.

dysphagia

difficulty or painful swallowing or eating. also called aphagia.

EUS

endoscopic ultrasonography (x-ray studies)

EGD

esophagogastroduodenoscopy lithotripsy

obesity

excessive accumulations of fat that exceeds body's skeletal & physical standards, usually an increase of 20 % or more above ideal body weight. due to excessive intake of food (exogenous) or metabolic or endocrine abnormalities (endogenous).

polypectomy

excision of a polyp. when polyps are discovered during sigmoidoscopy or colonscopy, they are excised for microscopic tissue exam for abnormal or cancerous cells.

ESWL

extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy

extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL)

extracorporeal(outside the body) use of shock waves as noninvasive method to break up stones in gallbladder or biliary ducts. in extracorporeal shock wave (ESWL)--ultrasound is used to locate the stones and to monitor their destruction.

fecalith

fecal concretion

oral leukoplakia

formation of white spots or patches on the mucous membrane of the tongue, lips or cheek caused by irritation. A precancerous condition associated w/pipe or cigarette smoking or ill-fitting dentures.

halitosis

foul-smelling breath from poor oral hygiene, dental or oral infections, ingestion of certain foods-garlic or alcohol, use of tobacco or a systemic disease, like diabetes or liver disease.

GBS

gallbladder series

flatus

gas in GI tract, expelling of air from a body orifice, especially by the anus.

GER

gastroesophageal reflux

GERD

gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI

gastrointestinal

liver function tests (LFTs)

group of blood tests that evaluate liver injury, liver functions and conditions assoc. with biliary tract. LFTs evaluate liver enzymes, bilirubin and proteins produced by the liver.

bariatric surgery

group of surgical procedures to treat morbid obesity, a condition that arises from severe accumulation of excess weight as fatty tissue, and result of health problems. common employed bariatric surgeries include vertical banded gastroplasty and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

teeth

held in place by gums (gingiva). functions to chew food into smaller particles.

HAV

hepatitis A virus

HBV

hepatitis B virus

HCV

hepatitis C virus

HDV

hepatitis D virus

HEV

hepatitis E virus

ultrasonography

high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) directed at soft tissue and reflected as "echoes" to produce image on a monitor of internal body structure, also called ultrasound, sonography and echo.

computed tomography (CT)

imaging technique achieved by rotating x-ray emiter around area to be scanned & measuring intensity of transmitted rays from different angles. a computer is used to generate a detailed cross-sectional image that appears as a slice.

stat

immediately

pyloromyotomy

incision of longitudinal & circular muscles of pylorus, used to treat hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

dysentery

inflammation of intestine, especially the colon, may be caused by ingesting water or food containing chemical irritants, bacteria, protozoa or parasites & results in bloody diarrhea. common in underdeveloped countries & in times of disaster when sanitary living conditions, clean food & safe water not available.

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix.

nasogastric intubation

insertion of nasogastric tube thru nose into stomach to relieve gastric distention by removing gas, food or gastric secretions; instill medication, food or fluids or obtain specimen for lab analysis.

IBS

irritable bowel syndrome

anorexia

lack or loss of appetite, resulting in inability to eat.

parotid gland

largest pair of salivary gland. its secretions transported via parotid duct to oral cavity.

LFT

liver function test

MRCP

magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) used to visualize biliary & pancreatic ducts and gallbladder in a noninvasive manner. MRCP is a new technique. no contrast medium is required. MRCP used to determine if gallstones are lodged in any ducts surrounding gallbladder. may also detect tumors, inflammation, infection or pancreatitis.

prandial

meal

serum bilirubin

measurement of level of bilirubin in blood.

sten

narrowing, stricture

NG

nasogastric

OCG

oral cholecystography

hepatitis panel

panel of blood test that identifies specific virus--hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B(HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV)--that is causing hepatitis by testing serum using antibodies to each of these antigens.

melena

passage of dark colored, tarry stools, due to presence of blood altered by intestinal juices.

steatorrhea

passage of fat in large amounts in feces due to failure to digest & absorb it.

PUD

peptic ulcer disease

endogenous

pertaining to forming inside the body

exogenous

pertaining to forming outside the body.

intestinal

pertaining to the intestine

cachexia

physical wasting that includes weight loss & muscle mass. associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) & cancer.

proctologist

physician who specialized in disease of anus & rectum

plakia

plaque

lithotripsy

procedure for crushing a stone & eliminating its fragments surgically or using ultrasonic shock waves.

mastication

process of teeth chewing food into smaller particles.

erucctation

producing gas from the stomach, with characteristic sounds. also called belching.

peristalsis

progressive, wavelike movement that occurs involuntarily in hollow tubes of body, especially in GI tract.

pylor

pylorus

upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS)

radiographic images of esophagus, stomach & small intestine following oral admin. of barium, also called barium swallow.

gastrointestinal Barium Enema

radiographic images of rectum & colon following administration of barium into rectum

oral cholecystography (OCG)

radiographic images taken of gallbladder after administration of contrast material containing iodine, usually in the form of a tablet.

sialography

radiologic exam of salivary glands & ducts.

R/O

rule out

sial/o

saliva, salivary glands

cirrhosis

scarring & dysfunction of liver cause by chronic liver disease & chronic alcoholism. may also be caused by toxins, infectious agents, metabolic diseases & circulatory disorders.

obstipation

severe constipation, may be caused by intestinal obstruction.

polyp

small growth

colic

spasm in hollow or tubular soft organ, especially in colon, accompanied by pain.

pyloric stenosis

stricture or narrowing of pyloric sphincter(circular muscle of pylorus) at outlet of stomach, causing an obstruction that blocks flow of food into small intestine.

ileorectal anastomosis

surgical connection of ileum & rectum after total colectomy, as is sometimes performed in treatment of ulcerative colitis.

intestinal anastomosis

surgical connection of two portions of the intestines; also called enteroenterostomy.

laparotomy

surgical procedure with large incision through abdominal wall to gain access into abdominal cavity. also known as celiotomy. celi/o(abdomen)

malabsorption syndrome

symptom complex of small intestine characterized by impaired passage of nutrients, minerals or fluids thru intestinal villi into blood or lymph. may be associated with or due to number of diseases, including those affecting intestinal mucosa. may also be due to surgery, such as gastric resection & ileal bypass or antibiotic therapy.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

symptom marked by abdominal pain & altered bowel function (typically constipation, diarrhea, or alternating constipation & diarrhea) -no organic cause can be determined. also called spastic colon. contributing or aggravating factors of IBS is anxiety & stress.

stool guaiac

test that applies a substance called guaiac to stool sample to detect presence of occult (hidden) blood in feces; also called Hemoccult (trade name of a modified guaiac test).

barium swallow

test to determine cause of dysphagia, gastralgia, hematemesis, or unexplained weight loss. Barium sulfates (contrast medium) a metallic compound that shows up on X-rays used to help see abnormalities in esophagus and stomach. you drink a preparation containing solution. X-rays track its path through digestive system. problems detected with barium swallow: Narrowing or irritation of esophagus, dysphagia, esophagospasm or pharyngospasm, Hiatal hernia (defect causes stomach to slide partially into chest), Abnormally enlarged veins in esophagus (varices) that cause bleeding Ulcers, Tumors, Polyps (growths usually not cancerous, but develop into cancer) & Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

stool culture

test to identify microorganisms or parasites present in feces that are causing gastrointestinal infection.

laxatives

treat constipation by increasing peristaltic activity in large intestine or increasing water & electrolyte secretion into bowel to induce defecation.

abdominal Ultrasound

ultrasound visualization of abdominal aorta, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys, ureters and bladder. to diagnose and locate cysts, tumors and malformations as well as document progression of various diseases & guide insertion of instruments during surgical procedures.

US

ultrasound, ultrasonography

sublingual gland

under tongue. along with other 2 glands, its secretions moistens oral cavity & initiate digestive process.

UGIS

upper gastrointestinal series

gastrointestinal endoscopy

visual exam of gastrointestinal tract using flexible fiberoptic instrument with magnifying lens and light source (endoscope) to identify abnormalities, including bleeding, ulcerations & tumors. endoscopy of esophagus (esophagoscopy), stomach (gastroscopy) and duodenum (duodenoscopy), the endoscope is inserted thru nose or mouth. Endoscopy of colon (colonoscopy) & sigmoid colon (sigmoidoscopy), the endoscope inserted thru rectum.

hematemesis

vomiting blood from bleeding in the stomach or esophagus. caused by esophageal ulcer, esophageal varices (dilation of veins), gastric ulcer or actue gastritis.