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Digestive System
Gastrointestinal Disorders
72
Medical
Professional
09/08/2010

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Term
achalasia
Definition
An impairment of normal esophageal peristalsis. It also affects the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. The most common symptoms are dysphagia, regurgitation, nocturnal cough, and chest pain.
Term
anorexia nervosa
Definition
A mental condition characterized by an individual's refusal to eat enough to maintain a minimal body weight, usually fueled by an intense fear of becoming obese.
Term
appendicitis
Definition
Inflammation of the vermiform appendix.
Term
Vermiform
Definition
the vermiform appendix specifically identifies the diverticulum of the cecum. Healthcare professionals commonly drop the term vermiform when referring to this particular appendix.
Term
atresia
Definition
The absence or closure of a normal body orifice or tubular organ.
Term
bezoar
Definition
tightly pack, partially digested agglomeration of hair or vegetable matter. Seeds, bubble gum, medication, and other materials can mimic true bezoars.
Term
botulism
Definition
A type of food poisoning caused by the production of bacteria Clostridium botulinum in improperly canned foods. it is characterized by vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty seeing, dryness of the mouth and pharynx, dyspepsia cough; it often results in death.
Term
cheiloschisis
Definition
Another term for cleft lip or harelip. It is a congential abnormality.
Term
cholecystitis
Definition
Inflammation of the gallbladder. There are different types of cholecystitis, the most common being chronic and acute. And acute infection generally indicates sever infection and often necessitates a cholecycstectomy (removal of the gallbladder)
Term
cholelithiasis
Definition
The presence of formation of gallstones.
Term
cirrhosis
Definition
This refers to a group of liver diseases in which the normal hepatic structure is destroyed over time by nodules. It is the third leading cause of death in North America for people 45 to 65 years of age. In North America it is often caused by chronic alcohol abuse. (In other parts of the world it can be caused by untreated and highly communicable strains of hepatitis.)
Term
colitis
Definition
Inflammation of the colon.
Term
dehydration
Definition
A condition that results from an excessive loss of body water.
Term
dental caries
Definition
Tooth decay. Although this is a component of the dental specialty, because it directly affects the teeth, which are responsible for masticating food, it is significant to the function of the GI system.
Term
diarrhea
Definition
Abnormal frequency and liquidity of fecal discharges. Diarrhea is actually a symptom that suggests the presence of a disorder. However, it often is short in duration, is easily identifiable by a patient, and often does not require any treatment.
Term
diverticulum
Definition
An abnormal bulge, pocket, or pouch formed from a hollow or tubular structure.
Term
diverticula
Definition
The plural form of diverticulum. (The plural of diverticulum is NOT diverticuli; this is a common dictation/transcription error.)
Term
diverticulitis
Definition
Inflammation of a diverticulum
Term
diverticulosis
Definition
The presence of diverticula with the absence of diverticulitis, especially in the colon.
Term
Zenker diverticulum
Definition
The most common place that a diverticulum occurs is just below the pharynx.
Term
dysentery
Definition
Any of a variety of disorders marked by inflammation of the intestines, especially the colon. The symptoms include pain in the abdomen, tenesmus, and frequent stools containing blood and mucus.
Term
amebic dysentery
Definition
The most common type of dysentery, due to an ulceration of the bowel caused by amebiasis.
Term
amebiasis
Definition
The state of being infected by amebae.
Term
dyspepsia
Definition
General term which means impairment to the power or function of digestion. It often refers to discomfort in the epigastric region following a meal, or what many people call "indigestion."
Term
enteritis
Definition
Inflammation of the intestine, especially the small intestine. Often this is combined (e.g., enterocolitis).
Term
enterocolitis
Definition
Inflammation of both the intestine and colon.
Term
cholera
Definition
A form of enteritis that is spread by food and water contaminated with feces. It is much more common in Third World countries.
Term
esophagitis
Definition
Inflammation of the esophagus
Term
fecalith
Definition
An intestinal concretion (the process of becoming harder or more solid) formed around a center of fecal matter.
Term
fistula
Definition
An abnormal passage or communication between two organs or from an internal organ to the surface of the body. There are several different types. It can occur because of trauma, infection, inflammation, degeneration, necrosis, or other causes.
Term
gastritis
Definition
Inflammation of the stomach. This is commonly combined (e.g., gastroenteritis) This is often the result of a bacteria, and symptoms include anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weakness. Gastritis is also a problem frequently associated with alcohol abuse.
Term
gastroenteritis
Definition
Acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and the intestines.
Term
gastroesophageal reflux disease
Definition
The reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. It is often represented by the acronym GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This is usually caused by an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter. The major symptom is heartburn, although it can lead to several more severe disorders.
Term
halitosis
Definition
Offensive breath. This can be real as the result of ingested substances, gingival disease, fermentation of food in the mouth, or associated with systemic disease such as diabetic acidosis. It can also be imagined and the result of anxiety disorders, obsessive disorders, paranoia, or hypochondria.
Term
hepatitis
Definition
Inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be due to viral, bacterial, or parasitic factors. They are generally classified by letters (i.e., hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C). Some strains are transmitted through feces/oral contact, some throught the blood (IV drug use), and some are sexually transmitted. Hepatitis can be chronic and active, in which case it is often fatal. Some forms are highly contagious.
Term
hernia
Definition
The protrusion of a loop or knuckle of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening. there are several classifications of hernias.
Term
abdominal hernia
Definition
The protrusion of some internal body structure through the abdominal wall.
Term
hiatal hernia
Definition
The protrusion of the stomach above the diaphragm. There are both a sliding hiatal hernia and a paraesophageal hiatal hernia.
Term
sliding hiatal hernia
Definition
A hernia in which the stomach and a section of esophagus which joins the stomach slide up into the chest through what is called the hiatus (gap/passage).
Term
paraesophageal hiatal hernia
Definition
A hernia in which part of the stomach squeeze through the hiatus, but the esophagus and stomach stay in their regular locations. Of concern is that the stomach can become strangled/have its blood supply shut down.
Term
inguinal hernia
Definition
A hernia into the inguinal canal. There are both direct and indirect inguinal hernias.
Term
umbilical hernia
Definition
Protrusion of part of the intestine through the umbilicus.
Term
Hirschsprung disease
Definition
Congenital megacolon, or a dilatation and hypertrophy of the colon due to the sustained contraction of the muscles of the rectosigmoid.
Term
hypertrophy
Definition
The enlargement of an organ due to an increase in the size of its cells.
Term
ileus
Definition
The temporary cessation of intestinal peristalsis, which often leads to obstruction. A common type is adynamic ileus.
Term
adynamic ileus
Definition
A suspension of peristalsis because of paralysis or atony (lack of normal muscle tone or strength). This can be the result of drugs, toxemia, trauma, or surgery.
Term
inflammatory bowel disease
Definition
This can be used to describe a variety of bowel disorders which are inflammatory in nature, whose etiology cannot be directly determined. There are two common types of inflammatory bowel disease which you should know: Crohn disease & ulcerative colitis.
Term
Crohn disease
Definition
It is not known what causes Crohn disease; it can affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, but is especially common in the ileocecal area. it frequently leads to obstruction and fistula and abscess formation.
Term
ulcerative colitis
Definition
A chronic, nonspecific, inflammatory, and ulcerative disease that arises in the colonic mucosa and usually involves the rectum. Its etiology is also unknown and it is most often manifested by bloody diarrhea.
Term
irritable bowel syndrome
Definition
Intermittent or constant abdominal distress and bowel dysfunction which has no demonstrable cause.
Term
jaundice
Definition
A syndrome characterized by the bile pigment in the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae with a resulting yellow appearance. There are many types of jaundice and most of these indicate a problem with the liver.
Term
leukoplakia
Definition
A white patch on a membrane that will not rub off. this occurs in the oral mucosa and is considered to be a premalignant (precancerous) lesion common in smokers.
Term
malabsorption
Definition
Impaired intestinal absorption of nutrients. If the body is not absorbing nutrients properly, it can quickly result in an insufficiency of necessary nutrients. The combination of weight loos, diarrhea, and anemai indicate malabsorption.
Term
mumps
Definition
An acute, highly contagious viral disease which causes painful enlargement of the salivary glands. primarily infects children under age of 15.
Term
obstruction
Definition
The state or condition of being clogged or blocked. In gastroenterology it usually refers to a complete arrest or serious impairment to the passage of intestinal contents.
Term
pancreatitis
Definition
Inflammation of the pancreas.
Term
parasites
Definition
A plant or animal which lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains an advantage. It is not uncommon for a parasite to be present in foods that are consumed, and they are also communicable via person-to-person contact.
Term
Giardia
Definition
An intestinal protozoa that has a large sucking disc which adheres to the microvilli of the intestinal walls. There are many different kinds of parasites. However, except for Giardia, they are much more common in Africa and rarely impact Western medicine.
Term
giardiasis
Definition
the infection that occurs with the presence of Giardia parasite.
Term
peptic ulcer disease
Definition
Inflammation and ulceration in the duodenum and stomach caused by gastric acid juice. Peptic ulcer occurs only if the stomach secretes acid.
Term
Barrett esophagus
Definition
Barrett esophagus is a chronic peptic ulcer of the esophagus and is commonly seen in medical reports.
Term
peritonitis
Definition
Inflammation of the peritoneum. Symptoms include abdominal pain and tenderness, constipation, vomiting, and moderate fever. Peritonitis sometimes follows abdominal surgery, such as an appendectomy.
Term
pharyngitis
Definition
Inflammation of the pharynx. This is the most common etiology of a sore throat
Term
polyp
Definition
This refers to any mass of tissue that arises from the bowel wall and protrudes into the lumen. They may be either sessile or pedunculated. They vary considerably in size and histologic (microscopic tissue structure) characteristics.
Term
sessile
Definition
Sessile means attached by a base.
Term
pedunculated
Definition
Pedunculated means attached by a stem-like structure or stalk.
Term
prolapse
Definition
The falling down or sinking of a part. This pathology can affect the GI system through anal prolapse and rectal prolapse (where skin of the anus and mucosa of the rectum protrude through the anus).
Term
pruritus ani
Definition
Pruritus means itching. Pruritus ani is intense, chronic itching in the anal region.
Term
Schatzki ring
Definition
A 2–4 mm mucosal structure, probably congenital in nature, which causes a ring-like narrowing of the lower esophagus.
Term
ulcers
Definition
A defect or excavation of the surface of an organ or tissue. There are many kinds of ulcers (peptic ulcer disease, stress ulcers, ulcerative colitis, etc.), many causes for ulcers, and many treatments for ulcers.
Term
ulcers
Definition
A defect or excavation of the surface of an organ or tissue. There are many kinds of ulcers (peptic ulcer disease, stress ulcers, ulcerative colitis, etc.), many causes for ulcers, and many treatments for ulcers.
Term
volvulus
Definition
Intestinal obstruction that is due to a knotting or twisting of the bowel.
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