Medical Terminology Word List 11 Gastrointestinal System

Front 1

bile

Back 1

a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats

Front 2

bile

Back 2

a yellow or greenish viscid alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and passed into the duodenum where it aids especially in the emulsification and absorption of fats -- called also fel

Front 3

cecum

Back 3

a cavity open at one end (as the blind end of a duct); especially : the blind pouch at the beginning of the large intestine into which the ileum opens from one side and which is continuous with the colon

Front 4

colon

Back 4

the part of the large intestine that extends from the cecum to the rectum

Front 5

duodenum

Back 5

the first, shortest, and widest part of the small intestine that in humans is about 10 inches (25 centimeters) long and that extends from the pylorus to the undersurface of the liver where it descends for a variable distance and receives the bile and pancreatic ducts and then bends to the left and finally upward to join the jejunum near the second lumbar vertebra

Front 6

esophagus

Back 6

a muscular tube that in adult humans is about nine inches (23 centimeters) long and passes from the pharynx down the neck between the trachea and the spinal column and behind the left bronchus where it pierces the diaphragm slightly to the left of the middle line and joins the cardiac end of the stomach

Front 7

lower esophageal sphincter

Back 7

the somewhat thickened muscular ring surrounding the opening between the esophagus and the stomach

Front 8

gastrointestinal tract

Back 8

the stomach and intestine as a functional unit

Front 9

ileum

Back 9

the last division of the small intestine that constitutes the part between the jejunum and large intestine and in humans forms the last three fifths of the part of the small intestine beyond the end of the duodenum and that is smaller and thinner-walled than the jejunum with fewer circular folds but more numerous Peyer's patches

Front 10

jejunum

Back 10

the section of the small intestine that comprises the first two fifths beyond the duodenum and that is larger, thicker-walled, and more vascular and has more circular folds and fewer Peyer's patches than the ileum

Front 11

palate

Back 11

the roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity

Front 12

pancreas

Back 12

a large lobulated gland that in humans lies in front of the upper lumbar vertebrae and behind the stomach and is somewhat hammer-shaped and firmly attached anteriorly to the curve of the duodenum with which it communicates through one or more pancreatic ducts and that consists of (1) tubular acini secreting digestive enzymes which pass to the intestine and function in the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; (2) modified acinar cells that form islets of Langerhans between the tubules and secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon; and (3) a firm connective-tissue capsule that extends supportive strands into the organ

Front 13

peritoneum

Back 13

the smooth transparent serous membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen of a mammal, is folded inward over the abdominal and pelvic viscera, and consists of an outer layer closely adherent to the walls of the abdomen and an inner layer that folds to invest the viscera

Front 14

pylorus or pyloric sphincter

Back 14

the opening from the vertebrate stomach into the intestine

Front 15

rectum

Back 15

the terminal part of the intestine from the sigmoid colon to the anus

Front 16

uvula

Back 16

1 : the pendent fleshy lobe in the middle of the posterior border of the soft palate

Front 17

gallbladder

Back 17

a membranous muscular sac in which bile from the liver is stored -- called also cholecyst

Front 18

peristalsis

Back 18

successive waves of involuntary contraction passing along the walls of a hollow muscular structure (as the esophagus or intestine) and forcing the contents onward

Front 19

aphagia

Back 19

loss of the ability to swallow

Front 20

ascites

Back 20

abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the spaces between tissues and organs in the cavity of the abdomen

Front 21

diarrhea

Back 21

abnormally frequent intestinal evacuations with more or less fluid stools

Front 22

dyspepsia

Back 22

indigestion

Front 23

dysphagia

Back 23

difficulty in swallowing

Front 24

flatus

Back 24

gas generated in the stomach or bowels

Front 25

halitosis

Back 25

a condition of having fetid breath

Front 26

hematemesis

Back 26

the vomiting of blood

Front 27

hepatomegaly

Back 27

enlargement of the liver

Front 28

jaundice

Back 28

a yellowish pigmentation of the skin, tissues, and certain body fluids caused by the deposition of bile pigments that follows interference with normal production and discharge of bile (as in certain liver diseases) or excessive breakdown of red blood cells (as after internal hemorrhage or in various hemolytic states) -- called also icterus

Front 29

nausea

Back 29

a stomach distress with distaste for food and an urge to vomit

Front 30

adhesion

Back 30

the abnormal union of surfaces normally separate by the formation of new fibrous tissue resulting from an inflammatory process; also : the newly formed uniting tissue <pleural adhesions

Front 31

anorexia nervosa

Back 31

a serious eating disorder primarily of young women in their teens and early twenties that is characterized especially by a pathological fear of weight gain leading to faulty eating patterns, malnutrition, and usually excessive weight loss

Front 32

appendicitis

Back 32

inflammation of the vermiform appendix -- called also epityphlitis

Front 33

cholecystitis

Back 33

inflammation of the gallbladder

Front 34

cholelithiasis

Back 34

production of gallstones; also : the resulting abnormal condition

Front 35

cirrhosis

Back 35

widespread disruption of normal liver structure by fibrosis and the formation of regenerative nodules that is caused by any of various chronic progressive conditions affecting the liver (as long-term alcohol abuse or hepatitis

Front 36

colitis

Back 36

inflammation of the colon

Front 37

diverticulitis

Back 37

inflammation or infection of a diverticulum of the colon that is marked by abdominal pain or tenderness often accompanied by fever, chills, and cramping

Front 38

diverticulosis

Back 38

an intestinal condition characterized by the presence of diverticula in the colon that is typically symptomless but may be marked by symptoms (as bleeding or constipation)

Front 39

enteritis

Back 39

1 : inflammation of the intestines and especially of the human ileum

Front 40

esophagitis

Back 40

inflammation of the esophagus

Front 41

gastritis

Back 41

inflammation especially of the mucous membrane of the stomach

Front 42

gastroenteritis

Back 42

inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and the intestines

Front 43

gastroesophageal reflux disease

Back 43

a highly variable chronic condition that is characterized by periodic episodes of gastroesophageal reflux usually accompanied by heartburn and that may result in histopathologic changes in the esophagus -- abbreviation GERD

Front 44

giardiasis

Back 44

infestation with or disease caused by a flagellate protozoan of the genus Giardia (especially G. lamblia) that is often characterized by diarrhea -- called also lambliasis

Front 45

gingivitis

Back 45

inflammation of the gums

Front 46

glossitis

Back 46

inflammation of the tongue

Front 47

hemorrhoids

Back 47

a mass of dilated veins in swollen tissue at the margin of the anus or nearby within the rectum -- usually used in plural; called also piles

Front 48

hepatitis

Back 48

1 : inflammation of the liver
2 : a disease or condition (as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver

Front 49

hiatal hernia

Back 49

: a hernia in which an anatomical part (as the stomach) protrudes through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm -- called also hiatus hernia

Front 50

ileitis

Back 50

inflammation of the ileum

Front 51

ileus

Back 51

obstruction of the bowel; specifically : a condition that is commonly marked by a painful distended abdomen, vomiting of dark or fecal matter, toxemia, and dehydration and that results when the intestinal contents back up because peristalsis fails although the lumen is not occluded

Front 52

inguinal hernia

Back 52

a hernia in which part of the intestine protrudes into the inguinal canal

Front 53

intussusception

Back 53

INVAGINATION; especially : the slipping of a length of intestine into an adjacent portion usually producing obstruction
2 : the deposition of new particles of formative material among those already embodied in a tissue or structure (as in the growth of living organisms)

Front 54

pancreatitis

Back 54

inflammation of the pancreas

Front 55

parotitis

Back 55

inflammation and swelling of one or both parotid glands or other salivary glands (as in mumps)

Front 56

peritonitis

Back 56

inflammation of the peritoneum

Front 57

polyp

Back 57

a projecting mass of swollen and hypertrophied or tumorous membrane (as in the nasal cavity or the intestine)

Front 58

polyposis

Back 58

a condition characterized by the presence of numerous polyps

Front 59

rectocele

Back 59

herniation of the rectum through a defect in the intervening fascia into the vagina

Front 60

stomatitis

Back 60

any of numerous inflammatory diseases of the mouth having various causes (as mechanical trauma, allergy, vitamin deficiency, or infection)

Front 61

umbilical hernia

Back 61

a hernia of abdominal viscera at the navel -- called also exomphalos