Digestive System

Front 1

appendicitis

Back 1

inflammation of the appendix, usually acute and caused by blockage of the appendix that is followed by infection. When left untreated, it rapidly leads to perforation and peritonitis

Front 2

Ascites

Back 2

abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdomen. Ascites occurs when fluid drains out of the bloodstream and accumulates in the peritoneal cavity. It may be a symptom of inflammatory disorders in the abdomen, venous hypertension caused by liver disease, or heart failure.

Front 3

Borborygmus

Back 3

gurgling or rumbling sound heard over the large intestine, caused by gas moving through the intestines

Front 4

Cirrhosis

Back 4

chronic liver disease characterized pathologically by destruction of liver cells that eventually leads to ineffective liver function and jaundice.

Front 5

Colonic Polyposis

Back 5

polyps, which are small benign growths, that project from the mucous membrane of the colon.
Polyps have the potential of becoming cancerous, so they are checked frequently or removed to detect any abnormalities at an early stage. Colonic polyps have a high likelihood of becoming colorectal cancer.

Front 6

Crohn disease

Back 6

chronic inflammatory bowel disease, usually affects the ileum, but may affect any portion of the intestinal tract. It is distinguished from closely related bowel disorders by its inflammatory pattern, which tends to be patchy or segmented; also called regional colitis

Front 7

diverticular disease

Back 7

condition in which bulging pouches (diverticula) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract push the mucosal lining through the surrounding muscle. When disease occurs on the left side of the colon, it may be referred to as "left-sided appendicitis."

Front 8

dysentery

Back 8

term applied to many intestinal disorders, especially of the colon, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Front 9

fistula

Back 9

abnormal passage from one organ to another, or from a hollow organ to the surface. An anal fistual is located near the anus and may open into the rectum

Front 10

hematochezia

Back 10

passage of stools containing bright red blood.

Front 11

hemorrhoid

Back 11

mass of enlarged, twisted varicose veins in the mucous membrane inside (internal) or just outside (external) the rectum; also known as piles

Front 12

hernia

Back 12

protrusion or projection of an organ or a part of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it.

Front 13

inflammatory bowel disease

Back 13

ulceration of mucosa of the colon. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease are forms of inflammatory bowel disease; also known as IBD.

Front 14

Irritable bowel syndrome

Back 14

abnormal increase in the motility of the small and large intestines that generally is associated with emotional stress. NO pathological lesions are found in the intestine.
In diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other, more serious conditions such as dysentery, lactose intolerance, and inflammatory bowel disease, must be ruled out because there is no organic disease present in IBS; also called spastic colon

Front 15

Jaundice

Back 15

yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes and sclerae of the eyes, caused by excessive levels of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia).

Front 16

Polyp

Back 16

small, tumor-like benign growth that projects from a mucous membrane surface.

Front 17

Polyposis

Back 17

general term for condition in which polyps develop in the intestinal tract.

Front 18

ulcer

Back 18

open sore or lesion of the skin or mucous membrane, accompanied by sloughing of inflamed necrotic tissue. An ulcer may be shallow, involving only the epidermis, or it may be deep, involving multiple layers of the skin. Some examples of ulcers are peptic ulcers; duodenal ulcer, and decubitus ulcer.

Front 19

volvulus

Back 19

twisting of the bowel on itself, causing obstruction. usually requires surgery to untwist the loop of bowel.

Front 20

Barium enema

Back 20

radiographic examination of the rectum and colon after adminstration of barium sulfate (radiopaque contrast medium) into the rectum. This procedure is used for diagnosis of obstructions, tumors, or other abnormalities, such as ulcerative colitis.

Front 21

barium swallow

Back 21

radiographic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine after oral administration of barium sulfate (radiopaque contrast medium). Structural abnormalities of the esophagus and vessels, such an esophageal varices, may be diagnosed by use of this technique; also called upper GI series.

Front 22

Computed tomography (CT) Scan

Back 22

radiographic technique that uses a narrow beam of x-rays, which rotates in a full arc around the patient to image the body in cross-sectional slices. A scanner and detector send the images to a computer, which consolidates all of the data it receives from the multiple x-ray views. In the digestive system, CT scans are used to view the gallbladder, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. CT scan is used to diagnose tumors, cysts, inflammation, abscesses, perforation, bleeding, and obstructions. A contrast material may be used to enhance the structures.

Front 23

Magnetic resonance imaging

Back 23

radiographic technique that uses electromagnetic energy to produce multiplanar cross-sectional images of the body. In the digestive system, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is particularly useful in detecting abdominal masses and viewing images of abdominal structures.

Front 24

stool guaiac

Back 24

test performed on feces using the reagent gum guaiac to detect the presence of blood in the feces that is not apparent on visual inspection; also called Hemoccult test.

Front 25

ultrasonography

Back 25

imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultra-sound) that bounce off body tissues and are recorded to produce an image of an internal organ or tissue. Ultrasonic echoes are recorded and interpreted by a computer, which produces a detailed image of the organ or tissue being evaluated. In the digestive system, ultrasound visualization includes, but is not limited to, the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. It is used to diagnose and locate cysts, tumors, and other digestive disorders and to guide the insertion of instruments during surgical procedures.

Front 26

extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy

Back 26

use of shock waves as a noninvasive method to destroy stones in the gallbladder and biliary ducts. Ultrasound is used to locate the stones and to monitor their destruction. After extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a course of oral dissolution drugs is used to ensure complete removal of all stones and stone fragments.

Front 27

lithotripsy

Back 27

procedure for eliminating a calculus in the gallbladder, renal pelvis, ureter, or bladder. Stones may be crushed surgically or by using a noninvasive method, such as hydraulic, or high-energy, shock-wave or a pulsed -dye laser. The fragments may be expelled or washed out.

Front 28

nasogastric intubation

Back 28

insertion of a nasogastric tube through the nose into the stomach. Nasogastric intubation is used to relieve gastric distention by removing gas, gastric secretions, or food. It also is used to instill medication, food, or fluids or to obtain a specimen for laboratory analysis.