Gastrointestinal Terms For Medical Terminology For Healthcare

Front 1

abdomin/o
celi/o
lapar/o

Back 1

abdomen

Front 2

an/o

Back 2

anus

Front 3

appendic/o

Back 3

appendix

Front 4

bil/i
chol/e

Back 4

bile

Front 5

bucc/o

Back 5

cheek

Front 6

cheil/o

Back 6

lip

Front 7

col/o
colon/o

Back 7

colon

Front 8

dent/i

Back 8

teeth

Front 9

cyst/o

Back 9

bladder or sac

Front 10

doch/o

Back 10

duct

Front 11

duoden/o

Back 11

duodenum

Front 12

enter/o

Back 12

small intestine

Front 13

esophag/o

Back 13

esophagus

Front 14

gastr/o

Back 14

stomach

Front 15

gingiv/o

Back 15

gum

Front 16

gloss/o
lingu/o

Back 16

tongue

Front 17

hepat/o
hepatic/o

Back 17

liver

Front 18

hern/o

Back 18

hernia

Front 19

ile/o

Back 19

ileum

Front 20

inguin/o

Back 20

groin

Front 21

or/o
stomat/o

Back 21

mouth

Front 22

jejun/o

Back 22

jejunum

Front 23

peritone/o

Back 23

peritoneum

Front 24

proct/o

Back 24

anus and rectum

Front 25

pylor/o

Back 25

pylorus (gatekeeper)

Front 26

rect/o

Back 26

rectum

Front 27

sial/o

Back 27

saliva

Front 28

sigmoid/o

Back 28

sigmoid colon (resembles)

Front 29

steat/o

Back 29

fat

Front 30

-emesis

Back 30

vomiting

Front 31

oral cavity
mouth

Back 31

cavity that receives food for digestion

Front 32

salivary glands

Back 32

three pairs of exocrine glands in the mouth that secrete saliva: the parotid, the submandibular (submaxillary), and the sublingual glands

Front 33

cheeks

Back 33

lateral walls of the mouth

Front 34

lips

Back 34

fleshy structures that surround the mouth

Front 35

palate

Back 35

structure that forms the roof of the mouth; divided into the hard palate and the soft palate

Front 36

uvula

Back 36

small projection hanging from the back middle edge of the soft palate

Front 37

tongue

Back 37

muscular structure of the floor of the mouth covered by mucous membrane and secured by a band-like membrane known as the frenulum

Front 38

gums

Back 38

tissue covering the processes of the jaws

Front 39

teeth

Back 39

hard bony projections in the jaws for masticating (chewing) food

Front 40

pharynx

Back 40

throat; passageway for food traveling to the esophagus and for air traveling to the larynx

Front 41

stomach

Back 41

sac-like organ that chemically mixes and prepares food received from the esophagus

Front 42

cardiac sphincter

Back 42

opening from the esophagus to the stomach
(sphincter = band)

Front 43

pyloric sphincter

Back 43

opening from the stomach to the duodenum

Front 44

small intestine

Back 44

smaller tubular structure that digests food received from the stomach

Front 45

duodenum

Back 45

first part of the small intestine

Front 46

jejunum

Back 46

second portion of small intestine

Front 47

ileum

Back 47

third portion of the small intestine

Front 48

large intestine

Back 48

larger tubular structure that receives liquid waste products of digestion, reabsorbs water and minerals, and forms and stores feces for defecation

Front 49

cecum

Back 49

first part of the large intestine

Front 50

vermiform appenxi

Back 50

worm-like projection of lymphatic tissue hanging off the cecum with no digestive function; may help to resist infection (vermi = worm)

Front 51

colon

Back 51

portions of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum; identified by shape

Front 52

ascending colon

Back 52

portion of the colon that extends upward from the cecum

Front 53

transverse colon

Back 53

portion of the colon that extends across from the ascending cecum

Front 54

descending colon

Back 54

portion of the colon that extends downward from the transverse colon

Front 55

sigmoid colon

Back 55

portion of the colon (resembling an "S" in shape) that terminates at the rectum

Front 56

rectum

Back 56

distal (end) portion of the large intestine

Front 57

rectal ampulla

Back 57

dilated portion of the rectum just above the anal canal

Front 58

anus

Back 58

opening of the rectum to the outside of the body

Front 59

feces

Back 59

waste formed by the absorption of water in the large intestine; usually solid

Front 60

defectation

Back 60

evacuation of feces from the rectum

Front 61

peritoneum

Back 61

membrane surrounding the entire abdominal cavity and consisting of the parietal layer (lining of the abdominal wall) and the visceral layer (covering each organ in the abdomen)

Front 62

periotoneal cavity

Back 62

space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum

Front 63

omentum

Back 63

an extension of the peritoneum attached to the stomach and connecting it with other abdominal organs

Front 64

liver

Back 64

organ in the upper right quadrant that produces bile, which is secreted into the duodenum during digestion

Front 65

gallbladder

Back 65

receptacle that stores and concentrates the bile produced int he liver

Front 66

pancreas

Back 66

gland that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum where

Front 67

bilary ducts

Back 67

ducts that convey bile; include the hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts

Front 68

hypochonrdiac regions

Back 68

upper lateral regions beneath the ribs

Front 69

epigastric region

Back 69

upper middle region below the sternum

Front 70

lumbar regions

Back 70

middle lateral regions

Front 71

umbilical region

Back 71

region of the navel

Front 72

inguinal regions

Back 72

lower lateral groin regions

Front 73

hypogastric region

Back 73

region below the navel

Front 74

anorexia

Back 74

loss of appetite
(orexia = appetite)

Front 75

aphagia

Back 75

inability to swallow

Front 76

ascites

Back 76

accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (ascos = bag)

Front 77

buccal

Back 77

in the cheek

Front 78

diarrhea

Back 78

frequent loose or liquid stools

Front 79

constipation

Back 79

infrequent or incomplete bowel movements characterized by hardened dried stool that is difficult to pass
(constipo = to press together)

Front 80

dysphagia

Back 80

difficulty in swallowing

Front 81

eructation

Back 81

belch

Front 82

flatulence

Back 82

gas in the stomach or intestines
(flatus = a blowing)

Front 83

hematochezia

Back 83

red blood in stool (chezo = defecate)

Front 84

hepatomegaly

Back 84

enlargement of the liver

Front 85

hyperbilirubinemia

Back 85

excessive level of bilirubin in the blood

Front 86

icterus
jaundice

Back 86

yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera (white of the eye), and other tissues caused by excessive bilirubin in the blood
(jaundice = yellow)

Front 87

melena

Back 87

dark-colored, tarry stool caused by old blood

Front 88

nausea

Back 88

feeling sick in the stomach

Front 89

steatorrhea

Back 89

feces containing fat

Front 90

sublingual
hypoglossal

Back 90

under the tongue

Front 91

ankyloglossia

Back 91

tongue-tie; a defect of the tongue characterized by a short thick frenulum
(ankyl/o = crooked or stiff)

Front 92

cheilitis

Back 92

inflammation of the lip

Front 93

esophageal varices

Back 93

swollen, twisted veins int he esophagus that are especially susceptible to ulceration and hemorrhage

Front 94

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Back 94

backflow of contents of the stomach into the esophagus, often resulting from abnormal function of the lower esophageal sphincter, causing burning pain in the esophagus

Front 95

parotiditis

Back 95

inflammation of the parotid gland; also called mumps

Front 96

peptic ulcer disease (PUD)

Back 96

sore on the mucous membrane of the stomach, duodenum, or any other part of the GI system exposed to gastric juices; commonly caused by infection with helicobacter pylori bacteria

Front 97

gastric ulcer

Back 97

ulcer located in the stomach

Front 98

duodenal ulcer

Back 98

ulcer located in teh duodenum

Front 99

pyloric stenosis

Back 99

narrowed condition of the pylorus

Front 100

sialoadentitis

Back 100

inflammation of a salivary gland

Front 101

stomatitis

Back 101

inflammation of the mouth

Front 102

anal fistula

Back 102

an abnormal, tube-like passageway from the anus that may connect with the rectum
(Fistula = pipe)

Front 103

colorectal polyps

Back 103

benign tissue growths on the mucous membrane lining the large intestine and rectum; adenomatous types are precancerous and likely to develop into malignancy

Front 104

pediculated polyp

Back 104

polyp projected on a stalk
(ped/o = foot)

Front 105

sessile polyp

Back 105

polyp that is lying flat on the surface
(sessilis = low growing)

Front 106

diverticulum

Back 106

an abnormal side pocket in the GI tract; usually related to a lack of dietary fiber

Front 107

diverticulosis

Back 107

presence of diverticula in the GI tract, especially the colon

Front 108

diveriticulitis

Back 108

inflammation of the diverticula

Front 109

dysentery

Back 109

inflammation of the intestine characterized by frequent, bloody stools; most often caused by bacteria or protozoa (e.g., amebic dysentery)

Front 110

hemorrhoid

Back 110

swollen, twisted vein (varicosity) in the anal region
(haimorrhois = a vein likely to bleed)

Front 111

hernia

Back 111

protrusion of a part from its normal location

Front 112

hiatal hernia

Back 112

protrusion of a part of the stomach upward through the opening in the diaphragm

Front 113

inguinal hernia

Back 113

protrusion of a loop of the intestine through layers of the abdominal wall in the inguinal region

Front 114

incarcerated hernia

Back 114

hernia that is swollen and fixed within a sac, causing an obstruction

Front 115

strangulated hernia

Back 115

hernia that is constricted, cut off from circulation, and likely to become gangrenous

Front 116

umbilical hernia

Back 116

protrusion of the small intestine through a weakness in the abdominal wall around the umbilicus (navel)

Front 117

intussusce\ption

Back 117

prolapse of one part of the intestine into the lumen of the adjoining part
(intus = within
suscipiens = to take up)

Front 118

peritonitis

Back 118

inflammation of the peritneum

Front 119

procitis

Back 119

inflammation of the rectum and anus

Front 120

volvulus

Back 120

twisting of the bowel on itself, causing obstruction
(volv = to roll)

Front 121

cholangitis

Back 121

inflammation of the bile ducts

Front 122

cholecystitis

Back 122

inflammation of the gallbladder

Front 123

choledocholithiasis

Back 123

presence of stones in the common bile duct

Front 124

cholelithiasis

Back 124

presence of stones in the gallbladder or bile ducts

Front 125

cirrhosis

Back 125

chronic disease characterized by degeneration of liver tissue; most often caused by alcoholism or a nutritional deficiency
(cirrho = yellow)

Front 126

needle biopsy

Back 126

percutaneous removal of tissue or fluid using a special hollow needle

Front 127

endoscopy

Back 127

examination within the body with a flexible endoscope for diagnosis or treatment; used in the GI tract to detect abnormalities and to perform procedures such as biopsy, excision of lesions, and therapeutic interventions

Front 128

colonoscopy

Back 128

examination of the colon with a flexible endoscope called a colonoscope

Front 129

proctoscopy

Back 129

examination of the anus and rectum with a proctoscope

Front 130

sigmoidoscopy

Back 130

examination of the sigmoid colon with a rigid or flexible sigmoidoscope

Front 131

esophagogastroduodenoscopy
(EGD)

Back 131

examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with a flexible endoscope for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes, such as biopsy, excision of lesions, removal of swallowed objects, dilation of obstructions, stent placement, measures to control hemorrhage, etc.

Front 132

capsule endoscopy

Back 132

examination of the small intestine made by a tiny video camera placed in a capsule and then swallowed; images are transmitted to a waist-belt recorder and then downloaded onto a computer for assessment of possible anormalities; traditional endoscopy cannot completely access the small intestine because of its length and complexity

Front 133

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Back 133

endoscopic procedure including x-ray fluroscopy to examine the ducts of the liver, gallbladder, biliary ducts, and pancreas; includes use of instruments to obtain tissue samples, extract biliary stones, relieve obstructions, etc.

Front 134

laparoscopy

Back 134

examination of the abdominal cavity with a laparoscope for diagnostic purposes and/or to perform surgery

Front 135

MRI

Back 135

nonionizing imaging technique for visualizing the abdominal cavity to identify disease or deformity in the GI tract

Front 136

radiography

Back 136

x-ray imaging used to detect a condition of anomaly within the GI tract

Front 137

upper gastrointestinal series

Back 137

x-ray of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum after the patient has swallowed contrast medium
barium is the most commonly used medium

Front 138

barium swallow

Back 138

x-ray of the esophagus only; often used to locate swallowed objects

Front 139

fluroscopy

Back 139

x-ray imaging with a fluorescent screen to visualize structures in motion

Front 140

small bowel series

Back 140

x-ray examination of the small intestine; generally done in conjunction with an upper GI tract

Front 141

lower gastrointestinal (GI) series
barium enema

Back 141

x-ray imaging of the colon after administration of an enema containing a contrast medium

Front 142

cholangiogram

Back 142

x-ray image of the bile ducts; often performed during surgery

Front 143

cholecystogram

Back 143

x-ray image of the gall bladder obtained after oral ingestion of iodine

Front 144

endoscopic ultrasonography

Back 144

images produced using a sonographic transducer within an endoscope to evaluate abnormalities of the upper and lower GI tracts and adjacent structures; also used to guide needle biopsy of tissue and in determining the stage of malignancy

Front 145

stool culture and sensitivity

Back 145

isolation of a stool specimen in a culture medium to identify disease-causing organisms; if organisms are present, the drugs to which they are sensitive are listed

Front 146

stool occult blood study

Back 146

chemical test of a stool specimen to detect the presence of blood; positive findings indicate bleeding in the GI tract

Front 147

abdominocentesis

Back 147

puncture of the abdomen for aspiration of fluid

Front 148

abdominal paracentesis

Back 148

puncture of the abdomen for aspiration of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (fluid accumulated in ascites)

Front 149

anastomosis

Back 149

union of two hollow vessels; a technique used in bowel surgery

Front 150

bariatric surgery

Back 150

treatment of morbid obesity by surgery to the stomach and/or intestines; procedures include restrictive techniques that limit the size of the stomach and malabsoptive techniques that limit the absorption of food
(baros = weight
iatric = pertains to treatment)

Front 151

gastric resection

Back 151

partial removal and repair of the stomach

Front 152

glossorrhaphy

Back 152

suture of the tongue

Front 153

hernioplasty
herniorrhaphy

Back 153

repair of a hernia

Front 154

gastric lavage

Back 154

oral insertion of a tube into the stomach for examination and treatment, such as to remove blood clots from the stomach and/or to monitor bleeding
(lavage = wash)

Front 155

nasogastric (NG) tubation

Back 155

insertion of a tube through the nose and into the stomach for various purposes, such as to obtain a gastric fluid specimen for analysis

Front 156

antispasmodic

Back 156

drug that decreases motility in the GI tract to arrest spasm or diarrhea

Front 157

cathartic

Back 157

drug that causes movement of the bowels; also called a laxative