Blind pouch hanging from the cecum(in the right lower quadrant [RLQ]).It literally means hanging(pend/o)onto(ap-,

which is a form of ad-).

Append/o or Appendic/o

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

This condition occurs when fluid passes from the bloodstream and collects in the peritoneal cavity. It can be a sign of neoplasm or inflammatory disorders in the abdomen, venous hypertension(high blood pressure)caused by liver disease(cirrhosis), or heart failure. Treatment for ascites includes administration of diuretic and paracentesis to remove abdominal fluid.

Rumbling or gurgling noises produced by the movement of gas, fluid, or both in the gastrointestinal tract.

Signs of hyperactive intestinal peristalsis, borborygmi(bowel sounds)often are present in cases of gastroenteritis and diarrhea.

Difficulty in passing stools(feces).

When peristalsis is slow, stools are dry and hard. A diet with plentiful fruits, vegetables, and water is helpful.   

Frequent passage of loose, watery stools.

Abrupt onset of diarrhea immediately after eating suggests acute infection or toxin in the gastrointestinal tract. Untreated, severe diarrhea may lead dehydration.

Difficulty in swallowing.

This sensation feels like a "lump in the throat" when a swallowed bolus fails to progress, either because of a physical obstruction(obstructive dysphagia) or because of a motor disorder in which esophageal peristalsis is not coordinated (motor dysphagia).

Gas expelled from the stomach through the mouth.

Eructation produces a characteristic sound and also is called belching.

Gas expelled through the anus.

Flatulence is the presence of excessive gas in the stomach and the intestines . One sign of a bowel obstruction is the inability to pass flatus.

Passage of fresh, bright red blood from the rectum.

The cause of hematochezia is usually hemorrhoids, but can also be colitis, ulcers, polyps, or cancer.

Yellow-orange coloration of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood(hyperbilirubinemia).

Jaundice can occur when(1) excessive destruction of erythrocytes, as in hemolysis, causes excess bilirubin in the blood(2) malfunction of liver cells(hepatocytes)due to liver disease prevents the liver from excreting bilirubin with bile; or (3) obstruction of bile flow, such as from choledocholithiasis or tumor, prevents bilirubin in bile from being excreted into the duodenum.

Black, tarry stools; feces containing digested blood.

This clinical sign usually reflects a condition in which blood has had time to be digested(acted on by intestinal juices) and results from bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract(duodenal ulcer).

Unpleasant sensation in the stomach with a tendency to vomit.

Common causes are motion sickness, early pregnancy, and viral gastroenteritis. Nausea and vomiting may be symptomatic of a perforation(hole in the wall)of an abdominal organ.

Fat in the feces.

Steatorrhea is production of frothy, foul-smelling fecal matter that often floats in the toilet. Improper digestion or absorption of fat causes to remain in the intestine.

Inflammation of the mouth with small, painful ulcers.

The ulcers associated with this condition are commonly  called canker sores; the cause is unknow.  

Tooth decay.

Dental plaque results from the accumulation of foods, proteins from saliva, and necrotic debris on the tooth enamel. Bacteria grow in the plaque and cause production of acid that dissolves the tooth enamel, resulting a cavity(are of decay).

Inflammation of the mouth caused by infection with the herpesvirus.

Painful fluid-filled blisters on the lips, palate, gums, and tongue, commonly called fever blisters or cold sores. It is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV1). Herpes genitalis(due to HSIV2)involves the reproductive organs.

White plaque or patches on the mucosa of the mouth.

This precancerous lesion can result from chronic tobacco use(pipe smoking or chewing tobacco). Malignant potential is assessed by microscopic study of biopsied tissue.    

Inflammation and degeneration of gums, teeth and surrounding the bone.

Gingivitis occurs as a result of accumulation of dental plaque or dental calculus or tartar ( a yellow bone calcified deposit on teeth)  

Failure of the lower esophagus sphincter(LES) muscle to relax.

Achalasia(-chalsia=relaxation) results from the loss of peristalsis so that food cannot pass easily through the esophagus. Both failure of the LES to relax and the loss of peristalsis cause dilatation(widening) of the esophagus above the constriction.

Malignant tumor of the esophagus.

The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing(dysphagia). Smoking and chronic alcohol use are major risk factors. Long-term irritation of the esophagus caused by gastric reflux is a premalignant condition called Barrett esophagus. 

Malignant tumor of the stomach.

Smoking, alcohol use, and chronic gastritis associated with bacterial infection are major risk factors for gastric carcinoma. Gastric endoscopy and biopsy diagnose the condition. Cure depends on early detection and surgical removal.

Solids and fluids return to the mouth from the stomach.

Heartburn is a burning sensation caused by regurgitation of hydrochloric acid from the stomach to the esophagus. Chronic exposure of esophageal mucosa to gastric acid and pepsin(an enzyme that digest protein)leads to reflux esophagitis. Drug treatment for GERD includes antacid(acid-suppressive) agents and medication to increase the tone of the LES. 

Protrusion of an organ or part through the tissue and muscles normally containing it.

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach protrudes upward through the diaphragm. This condition can lead to GERD. An inguinal hernia occurs when a small loop of bowel protrudes through a weak lower abdominal wall tissue(fascia)surrounding muscles. Surgical repair of inguinal hernias is known as herniorrhaphy(-rraphy means suture).

Open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

A bacterium, Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), is responsible for many cases of peptic ulcer disease. The combination of bacteria hyperacidity, and gastric juice damages epithelial linings. Drug treatment includes antibiotics, antacids, and agents to protect the lining of the stomach and intestine.

Abnormal tube-like passageway near the anus.

The fistula often results from a break or fissure in the wall of the anus or rectum, or from an abscess(infected area) there.

Polyps(benign growths)protrude from the mucous membrane of the colon.

Pedunculated (attached to the membrane by a stalk) and sessile (sitting directly on the mucous membrane). Many polyps are premalignant (adenomatous polyps); these growths often are removed(polypectomy) as a preventative measure and for further examination(biopsy). 

Adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum, or both.

Colorectal cancer can arise from polyps in the colon or rectal region. Diagnosis is determined by detecting blood in stool and by colonoscopy. Prognosis depends on the stage(extent of spread) of the tumor, including the size, depth of invasion, and involvement of lymph nodes. Surgical treatment may require excision of a major section of colon with rejoining of the cut ends(anastomosis).

Chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract.

Crohn's can occur anywhere from mouth to anus but most commonly in the ileum(ileitis)and colon. Signs and symptoms include diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, weakness, and weight loss. Both Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). Treatment is with drugs that control inflammation and other symptoms or by surgical removal of diseased portions of the intestine, with anastomosis of remaining parts. 

Abnormal outpouchings(diverticula) in the intestinal wall of the colon.

Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis. When fecal matter becomes trapped in diverticula, diverticulitis can occur. Pain and rectal bleeding are symptoms. Initial treatment for an attack of diverticulitis includes a liquid diet and oral antibiotics. In severe cases, the patient may need hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, and surgery to remove the affected area of the colon with anastomosis of the cut ends.

Painful inflammation of the intestines commonly caused by bacterial infection.

Often occurring in the colon, dysentery results from ingestion of food or water containing bacteria(salmonellae or shigellae), amebae( one-celled organisms), or viruses. Symptoms are bloody stools, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever.

Swollen, twisted, varicose veins in the rectal region.

Varicose veins can be internal(within the rectum) or external(outside the anal sphincter). Pregnancy and chronic constipation, which put pressure on anal veins, often caused hemorrhoids.

Loss of peristalsis with resulting obstruction of the intestines.

Surgery, trauma, or bacterial injury to the peritoneum can lead to a paralytic ileus(Acute, transient loss of peristalsis).

Telescoping of the intestines.

In this condition, one segment of the bowel collapses into the opening of another segment. It often occurs in children and at the ileocecal region. Intestinal obstruction with pain and vomiting can occur. A barium enema can diagnose and may successfully reduce the intussusception.  

Group of GI symptoms(abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation), but without defined abnormalities in the intestines.

IBS may be associated with stress or occur after infection. Treatment includes a diet high in bran and fiber and laxatives plus antidiarrheals to establish regular bowel movements. Other names for IBS are irritable colon and spastic colon. IBS is a type of functional gastrointestinal disorder(FGID).   

Chronic inflammation of the colon with presence of ulcers.

This idiopathic, chronic, recurrent diarrheal disease(an inflammatory bowel disease)manifest with rectal bleeding and pain. Often beginning in the colon, the inflammation spreads proximally, involving the entire colon.  

Twisting of the intestine on itself.

Volvulus causes intestinal obstruction. Severe pain, nausea and vomiting, and absence of bowel sounds are clinical features. Surgical correction is necessary prevent necrosis of the affected segment of the bowel. 

Gallstones in the gallbladder.

Calculi(stones) prevent bile from leaving the gallbladder and bile ducts. Many patients asymptomatic and do not require treatment; symptoms related to gallbladder stones are either biliary colic(pain from blocked duct) or cholecystitis(inflammation and infection of the gallbladder), both require treatment.

Chronic degenerative disease of the liver.

Cirrhosis is commonly the result of chronic alcoholism, viral hepatitis, iron overload, or other causes. Lobes of the liver become scarred with fibrous tissue, hepatic cells degenerate, and the liver is infiltrated with fat. 

Liver cancer.

Cancer that starts in the liver is primary cancer(as opposed to secondary liver cancer, which starts in another organ and metastasizes to the liver). HCC is commonly associated with hepatitis B and C virus infections and cirrhosis due to chronic alcohol use. 

Malignant tumor of the pancreas.

It often occurs in the head of the pancreas(closer to the duodenum), where it can block ducts. Although the cause is unknown, pancreatic cancer is more common in smokers and people with diabetes and chronic pancreatitis.

Inflammation of the pancreas.

Digestive enzymes attack pancreatic tissue and damage the gland. Other etiologic factors include chronic alcoholism, drug toxicity, gallstone obstruction of the common bile duct, and viral infections. Treatments includes medications to relieve epigastric pain, intravenous fluids, bowel rest, and subtotal pancreatectomy if necessary. 

Inflammation of the liver caused by a virus.

Hepatitis A is a viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis A(HAV). It is a disorder spread by contaminated food or water and characterized by slow onset of symptoms. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus(HBV) and transmitted by sexual contact, blood transfusions, or the use of contaminated needles or may be acquired by maternal to fetal transmission.  Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus(HCV) and is transmitted by blood transfusions or needle inoculation(such as among intravenous drug users sharing needles)The acute illness may progress to chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.