mouth
opening through which food passes into the body; breaks food into small particles by mastication (chewing) and mixing with saliva
tongue
consists mostly of skeletal muscle; attached in the posterior region of the mouth. It provides movement of food for mastication, directs food to the pharynx for swallowing, and is a major organ for taste and speech.
palate
separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity
soft palate
posterior portion, not supported by bone
hard palate
anterior portion, supported by bone
uvula
soft V-shaped structure that extends from the soft palate; directs food into the throat
pharynx/throat
performs the swallowing action that passes food from the mouth into the esophagus
esophagus
10-inch tube that is a passageway for food extending from the pharynx to the stomach
stomach
J-shaped sac that mixes and stores food. It secretes chemicals for digestion and hormones for local communication control
cardia
area around the opening of the esophagus
fundus
proximal domed portion of the stomach
body
central portion of the stomach
antrum
distal portion of the stomach
pylorus
portion of the stomach that connects to the small intestine
pyloric sphincter
ring of muscle that guards the opening between the stomach and the duodenum
small intestine
20-foot canal extending from the pyloric sphincter to the large intestine. digestion and absorption completed here via the villi.
duodenum
first 10 to 12 inches of the small intestine
jejunum
second part of the small intestine, 8 feet.
ileum
the third portion of the small intestine, 11 feet. connects with the large intestine.
large intestine
5 feet long tube that connects ileum to anus, absorption of water and transit of solid waste takes place here.
cecum
U-shaped pouch that is the first portion of the large intestine
colon
main portion of the large intestine. The colon is divided into four parts: ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon
rectum
distal portion of the large intestine, approximately 8 to 10 inches long, extending from the sigmoid colon to the anus
anus
sphincter muscle at the end of the digestive tract. provides for elimination of solid waste products of digestion.
salivary glands
produce saliva, which flows into the mouth
liver
produces bile, which is necessary for the digestion of fats.
bile ducts
passageways that carry bile
gallbladder
small saclike structure that stores bile produced by the liver
pancreas
produces pancreatic juice, which helps digest all types of food and secretes insulin for carbohydrate metabolism
peritoneum
serous saclike lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavities
appendix
small pouch, which has no known function in digestion, attached to the cecum
abdomen
portion of the body between the thorax and the pelvis
an/o
anus (word root)
antr/o
antrum (word root)
cec/o
cecum (word root)
col/o, colon/o
colon (word root)
duoden/o
duodenum (word root)
enter/o
intestine (word root)
esophag/o
esophagus (word root)
gastr/o
stomach (word root)
ile/o
ileum (word root)
jejun/o
jejunum (word root)
or/o, stomat/o
mouth (word root)
proct/o, rect/o
rectum (word root)
sigmoid/o
sigmoid colon (word root)
abdomin/o, celi/o, lapar/o
abdomen, abdominal cavity (word root)
append/o, appendic/o
appendix (word root)
cheil/o
lip(s) (word root)
cholangi/o
bile duct(s) (word root)
chol/e
gall, bile (word root)
choledoch/o
common bile duct (word root)
diverticul/o
diverticulum, pouch extending from a hollow organ (word root)
gingiv/o
gum(s) (word root)
gloss/o, lingu/o
tongue (word root)
hepat/o
liver (word root)
herni/o
hernia, or protrusion of an organ through a membrane or cavity wall (word root)
palat/o
palate (word root)
pancreat/o
pancreas (word root)
peritone/o
peritoneum (word root)
polyp/o
polyp, small growth (word root)
pylor/o
pylorus, pyloric sphincter (word root)
sial/o
saliva, salivary gland (word root)
steat/o
fat (word root)
uvul/o
uvula (word root)
appendicitis
inflammation of appendix
cholangioma
tumor of bile duct
cholecystitis
inflammation of the gallbladder
choledocholithiasis
condition of stones in common bile duct
cholelithiasis
condition of gallstones
colitis
inflammation of colon
diverticulitis
inflammation of diverticulum
diverticulosis
abnormal condition of having diverticula
esophagitis
inflammation of the esophagus
gastritis
inflammation of the stomach
gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach and intestines
gastroenterocolitis
inflammation of the stomach, intestines, and colon
gingivitis
inflammation of gums
glossitis
inflammation of tongue
hepatitis
inflammation of liver
hepatoma
tumor of liver
palaitis
inflammation of palate
pancreatitis
inflammation of pancreas
peritonitis
inflammation of the peritoneum
polyposis
abnormal condition of (multiple) polyps (in the mucous membrane of the intestine, especially the colon; high potential for malignancy if not removed when small)
proctitis
inflammation of the rectum
rectocele
hernia of the rectum
sialolith
stone in salivary gland
steatohepatitis
inflammation of the liver associated with fat
uvulitis
inflammation of the uvula
adhesion
abnormal growing together of two peritoneal surfaces that normally are separated
celiac disease
malabsorption syndrome caused by an immune reaction to gluten
cirrhosis
chronic disease of the liver with degeneration of liver cells and formation of scar tissue. common with alcoholism & certain hepatitis.
crohn disease
chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract usually affecting the ileum and colon
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
abnormal backward flow of the gastrointestinal contents into the esophagus, causing heartburn and the gradual breakdown of the mucous barrier of the esophagus
Hemochromatosis
iron metabolism disorder that occurs when too much iron is absorbed from food, resulting in excessive deposits of iron in the tissue; can cause heart failure, diabetes, cirrhosis, or cancer of the liver
hemorrhoids
swollen or distended veins in the rectum or anus, which may be internal or external, and can be a source of rectal bleeding and pain
ileus
non-mechanical obstruction of the intestine, caused by lack of effective peristalsis
intussusception
telescoping of a segment of the intestines
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
periodic disturbances of bowel function, such as diarrhea and/or constipation, usually associated with abdominal pain
obesity
excess of body fat
peptic ulcer
erosion of the mucous membrane of the stomach or duodenum associated with increased secretion of acid from the stomach
polyp
tumorlike growth extending outward from a mucous membrane. usually benign. common on nose, throat, and intestines.
ulcerative colitis
inflammation of the colon with the formation of ulcers that can produces bloody diarrhea
volvulus
twisting or kinking of the intestine, causing intestinal obstruction
abdominocentesis/paracentesis
Surgical puncture of the abdominal cavity to remove fluid
abdominoplasty
surgical repair of the abdomen
anoplasty
surgical repair of the anus
antrectomy
excision of antrum of the stomach
appendectomy
excision of appendix
cheiloplasty
surgical repair of the lip
cheilorrhaphy
suturing of lip
cholecystectomy
excision of gallbladder
choledocholithotomy
incision into common bile duct to remove stone
colectomy
excision of colon
colostomy
creation of an artificial opening into the colon (used for the passage of stool)
diverticulectomy
excision of a diverticulum
enterorrhaphy
suturing of the intestine
esophagogastroplasty
surgical repair of the esophagus and the stomach
gastrectomy
excision of stomach
gastrojejunostomy
creation of artificial opening between stomach and jejunum
gastroplasty
surgical repair of the stomach
gastrostomy
creation of an artificial opening into the stomach
gingivectomy
surgical removal of gum tissue
glossorrhaphy
suturing of the tongue
hemicolectomy
excision of half of the colon
herniorrhaphy
suturing of a hernia
ileostomy
creation of an artificial opening into the ileum. used for the passage of stool.
laparotomy/celiotomy
incision into the abdominal cavity
palatoplasty
surgical repair of the palate
polypectomy
excision of polyp
pyloromyotomy
incision into the pyloric muscle
pyloroplasty
surgical repair of the pylorus
uvulectomy
excision of the uvula
uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
surgical repair of the uvula, palate, and pharynx (performed to correct obstructive sleep apnea)
abdominoperineal resection (APR)
removal of the distal colon, rectum, and anal sphincter through both abdominal and perineal approaches
anastomosis
connection created by surgically joining two structures, such as blood vessels or bowel segments
bariatric surgery
surgical reduction of gastric capacity to treat morbid obesity
hemorrhoidectomy
excision of hemorrhoids
vagotomy
cutting of certain branches of the vagus nerve, performed with gastric surgery to reduce the amount of gastric acid produced and thus reduce the recurrence of ulcers
cholangiogram
radiographic image of bile ducts
cholangiography
radiographic imaging of the bile ducts
CT colonography
radiographic imaging of the colon
esophagogram/esophagram/barium swallow
radiographic image of the esophagus
colonscope
instrument used for visual examination of the colon
colonscopy
visual examination of the colon
endoscope
instrument used for visual examination within a hollow organ
endoscopy
visual examination within a hollow organ
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
visual examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum
esophagoscopy
visual examination of the esophagus
gastroscope
instrument used for visual examination of the stomach
gastroscopy
visual examination of the stomach
laparoscope
instrument used for visual examination of the abdominal cavity
laparoscopy
visual examination of the abdominal cavity
proctoscope
instrument used for visual examination of the rectum
proctoscopy
visual examination of the rectum
sigmoidoscopy
visual examination of the sigmoid colon
abdominal sonography
ultrasound scan of the abdominal cavity in which the size and structure of organs such as the aorta, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas can be visualized
barium enema (BE)/ lower GI series
series of radiographic images taken of the large intestine after the contrast agent barium has been administered rectally
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
endoscopic procedure involving radiographic imaging of the biliary ducts and pancreatic ducts
upper GI series/ gastrointestinal series
series of radiographic images taken of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum after the contrast agent barium has been administered orally
endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
procedure using an endoscope fitted with an ultrasound probe that provides images of the esophagus and stomach linings.
fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
test to detect occult blood in feces
helicobacter pylori antibody test
blood test to determine the presence of H. pylori bacteria (causes peptic ulcers)
abdominal
pertaining to abdomen
anal
pertaining to anus
aphagia
without swallowing (the inability to)
celiac
pertaining to abdomen
colorectal
pertaining to colon and rectum
duodenal
pertaining to the duodenum
dyspepsia
difficult digestion
dysphagia
difficult swallowing
enteropathy
disease of intestine
esophageal
pertaining to esophagus
gastric
pertaining to stomach
gastroenterologist
physician who studies and treats diseases of the stomach and intestines
gastroenterology
study of the stomach and intestines
gastromalacia
softening of stomach
hepatomegaly
enlargement of liver
ileocecal
pertaining to ileum and cecum
nasogastric
pertaining to the nose and stomach
oral
pertaining to mouth
pancreatic
pertaining to the pancreas
peritoneal
pertaining to the peritoneum
proctologist
a physician who specializes in disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus
rectal
pertaining to the rectum
steatorrhea
discharge of fat (fatty stools)
steatosis
abnormal condition of fat
stomatitis
inflammation of the mouth
stomatogastric
pertaining to the mouth and stomach
sublingual
pertaining to under the tongue
ascites
abnormal collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
diarrhea
frequent discharge of liquid stools
dysentery
disorder that involves inflammation of the intestine associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain
emesis/vomiting
expelling matter from the stomach through the mouth
feces/stool/fecal matter
waste formed from digestive tract expelled through rectum
flatus
gas in the digestive tract or expelled through the anus
gastric lavage
washing out of the stomach
gavage
process of feeding a person through a tube
hematemesis
vomiting blood
hematochezia
passage of visibly bloody feces
malabsorption
impaired digestion or intestinal absorption of nutrients
melena
black, tarry stools; feces containing digested blood. upper GI bleed.
nausea
urge to vomit
palpate
to examine by hand; to feel.
reflux
abnormal backward flow
stoma
surgical opening between an organ and the surface of the body
peristalsis
Involuntary wavelike movements that propel food along the GI tract and begins in the esophagus.
hepatic duct
passageway for bile from the liver
cystic duct
carries bile to and from the gallbladder
common bile duct
formed by the hepatic and cystic duct. conveys bile to the duodenum.
hemi
half
-pepsia
digestion
enteritis
inflammation of the intestine
adhesiolysis/adhesiotomy
Surgical treatment for adhesion
orogastric
pertaining to the mouth and stomach
proctology
study of the rectum
colic
pain caused by spasm of hollow/tubular organ.
defecation
having a bowel movement
Early satiety
getting fully very quickly after a meal
Encopresis
liquid stool passage around retained feces in the rectum.
Globus
sensation of a lump or tightness in the throat, unrelated to swallowing
hiatal hernia
part of stomach has passed through esophageal hiatus in diaphragm into chest cavity
Incarcerated
constriction of a hernia, reducing its normal blood flow
McBurney's point
1/3 the distance between the right anterior iliac spine and umbilicus corresponding to normal position of appendix
Megacolon
massive dilation of the colon which may result in perforation if left untreated
Obstipation
severe constipation, nothing coming out, not even flatus
Odynophagia
painful swallowing
postprandial
after a meal
pyrosis
heartburn
Tenesmus
spasmodic contraction of anal sphincter with pain and desire to defecate