The portion of the body between the thorax (chest) and the pelvis; the diaphragm separates the abdominal cavity from the thoracic cavity. The stomach is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. 

(AB-dah-men)

A musculomembranous tube, about 30 ft long, extending from the mouth to the anus and lined with mucous membrane. Also called the digestive tract or the gastrointestinal tract. 

(al-ih-MEN-tar-ee can-NAL)

An enzyme that breaks down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules 

(AM-ih-lays)

A watery fluid containing albumin, glucose, and electrolytes that accumulates in the peritoneal cavity in association with certain disease conditions (such as liver disease). 

(ah-SIT-ik fluid)

One of the two teeth between the molars and canines of the uper and lower jaw, the bicuspid teeth have a flat surface with multiple projections (cusps) for crushing and grinding food; also known as premolar tooth. 

(bye-CUSS-pid)

The orange-yellow pigment of bile, formed principally by the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells after termination of their normal life span. 

(bil-ih-ROO-bin)

A ball-like mass of chewed food (mixed with saliva) that is ready to be swallowed. 

(BOH-lus)

The portion of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric opening of the stomach to the anus. 

(BOW-el)

Any one of the four teeth, two in each jaw, situated immediately lateral to the incisor teeth in the human dental arches; also called cuspid tooth. 

(KAY-nine)

A cul-de-sac containing the first part of the large intestine. It joins the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine. 

(SEE-kum)

A record, or X-ray film, of the bile ducts following the injection of a radiopaque conttrast medium. 

(koh-LAN-jee-oh-gram)

A presence of a stone (calculus) in the common bile duct. 

(koh-lee-dock-oh-lih-THIGH-ah-sis)

Abnormal presence of gallstones in the gallbladder. 

(koh-lee-lih-THIGH-ah-sis)

The liquidlike material of partially digested food and digestive secretions found in teh stomach just before it is released into the duodenum. 

(KIGHM)

The portion of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum. 

(COH-lon)

The first set or primary teeth; baby teeth

(dee-SID-you-us)

The chief material of teeth surrounding the pulp and situated inside of the enamel and cementum

(DEN-tin)

The first portion of the small intestine. The duodenum is the shortest, widest, and most fixed porition of the small intestine, taking an almost circular course from the pyloric valve of the stomach so that its termination is close to its starting point. 

A hard, white substance that covers the dentine of the crown of a tooth. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body. 

(en-AM-el)

 A gland that secretes its enzymes into a network of tiny ducts that transport it to the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel. 

(EKS-oh-krin)

A pear-shaped excretory sac lodged in a fossa on the visceral surface of the right lobe of the liver 

(GALL-blad-er)

A medical doctor who specializes in the study of the diseases and disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract (including the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and bile duct). 

(gas-troh-en-ter-ALL-oh-jist)

A procedure in which liquid or semiliquid food is introduced into the stomach through a tube. 

(gah-VAZH)

Gum tissue 

plural: gingivae

A hormone produced y the alpha cells of the pancrease that stimulates the liver to convert glycogen into glucose when teh blood sugar level is dangerously low. 

(GLOO-kah-gon)

A simple sugar found in certain foods, especially fruits, and major source of energy occurring in human and animal body fluids.

(GLOOD-kohs)

A complex sugar (starch) that is the major carbohydrate stored in animal cells. It is formed from glucose and stored chiefly in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscle cells. 

(GLIGH-koh-jen)

The conversion of simple sugar (glucose) into a complex form of sugar (starch) for storage in the liver

(gligh-koh-JEN-eh-sis)

The breakdown of glycogen into glucose by the liver, releasing it back into the circulating blood in response to a very low blood sugar level. 

(gligh-koh-jen-ALL-ih-sis)

vomiting of blood

(he-mah-TEM-eh-sis)

Liver cell

(HEP-ah-toh-sight)

A compound consisting of hydrogen and chlorine

(high-droh-KLOH-rik acid)

The distal portion of the small intestine extending from teh jejunum to the cecum

(ILL-ee-um)

A naturally occurring hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancrease in response to increased levels of glucose in the blood. 

(IN-soo-lin)

The intermediate or middle of the three portions of he small intestine, connecting proximally with the duodenum and distally with the ileum. 

(jee-JOO-num)

A thin-walled, flexible tube with a telescopic lens and light that is inserted thorugh an incision in the abdominal wall to examine or perform minor surgery within the abdominal or pelvic cavities. 

(LAP-ah-rah-scope)

The process of irrigating (washing out) an organ - usually the bladder, bowel, paranasal sinuses, or stomach - for therapeutic purposes. 

(lah-VAZH)

An enzyme that aids in the digestino of fats

Chewing, tearing, or grinding food with the teeth while it becomes mixed with saliva 

(mass-tih-KAY-shun)

A point on the right side of the abdomen, about two-thirds of the distance between the umbilicus and the anterior bony prominence of the hip.

When tenderness exists upon McBurney's point, a physical might suspect appendicities. 

An allied health professional who studies and applies the principles and science of nutrition. 

(noo-TRIH-shun-ist)

The section of the pharynx leading away from the oral cavity

(or-oh-FAIR-inks)

A structure that forms the roof of the mouth

(PAL-at)

An elongated organ approximately 6 to 9 in long, located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen that secretes various substances such as digestive enzymes, insulin, and glucagon

A small, nipple-shaped projection that extends from collagen fibers, the capillary blood vessels, and sometimes the nerves of the dermis. 

(pah-PILL-ay)

One of the largest pairs of salivary gland that lie at the side of the face just below and in front of the external ear. 

(pah-ROT-id gland)

The coordinated, rhythmic, serial contraction of smooth muscle that forces food through the digestive tract, bile through the bile duct, and urine through the ureters. 

(pair-ih-STALL-sis)

A specific serous membrane that covers the entire abdominal wall of the body and is reflected over the contained viscerta. 

(pair-ih-toh-NEE-um)

Inflammation of the peritoneum

(pair-ih-toh-NIGH-tis)

The throat; a tubular structure about 13cm long that extends from the base of the skull to the esophagus and is situated just in front of the cervical vertebrae. 

(FAIR-inks)

A thickened muscular ring in the stomach that regulates the passage of food from the pylorus of the stomach into the duodenum. 

(pigh-LOR-ik SFINGK-ter)

Discharge or flow of pus

(pye-oh-REE-ah)

A sensation of severe pain experienced by the patient when the doctor applies deep pressure to the abdomen and releases it quickly. When this deep pressure is applied to the lower right quadrant of the abdomen at McBurney's point, and this type of pain is expereinced, it is a strong indicator of appendicitis. 

The portion of the large intestine, about 12 cm long, continuous with the descending sigmoid colon (just proximal to the anal canal) 

(REK-tum)

A ridge or fold (such as the rugae of the stomach) that presents large folds in the mucous membrane of that organ. 

(ROO-gay)

The portion of the colon that extends from the end of the descending colon in the pelvis to the juncture of the rectum. 

(SIG-moyd colon)

A circular band of muscle fiber that constricts a passage or closes a natural opening in the body, such as the hepatic sphincter in the muscular coat of the hepatic veins near their union with the superior vena cava (and the external anal sphincter, which closes the anus). 

(SFINGK-ter)

A compound consisting of a fatty acid (oleic, palmitic, or stearic) and glycerol.

(try-GLISS-er-eyeds) 

The upper part of teh gastrointestinal tract consisting of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. 

The small, cone-shaped process suspended in the mouth from the middle of the posterior border of teh soft palate. 

(YOO-vyoo-lah)

One of the many tiny projections barely visible to the naked eye clustered over teh entire mucous surface of the small intestine. 

(VIL-eye)

is an abnormal condition characterized by the absence of hydrocloric acid in the gastric juice

(ah-klor-HIGH-dree-ah)

Lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat

(an-oh-REK-see-ah)

is a condition characterized by the loss of the ability to swallow as a result of organic or psychologic causes.

(ah-FAY-jee-ah)

An abnormal accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The fluid contains large amounts of protein and electrolytes

(ah-SIGH-teez)

Borborygmus

Plural: Borborygmi

is an audible abdominal sound produced by hyperactive intestinal peristalsis. 

Are rumbling, gurgling, and tinking noises heard when listening with a stethoscope.

(bor-boh-RIG-mus)

difficulty in passing stools or an incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools

(kon-stih-PAY-shun)

The frequent passage of loose, watery stools

(dye-ah-REE-ah)

A vague feeling of epigastric discomfort after eating. 

involves an incomfortable feeling of fullness, heartburn, bloating, and nausea. 

(dis-PEP-see-ah)

is difficulty in swallowing, commonly associated with obstructive or motor disorders of the esophagus. 

(dis-FAY-jee-ah)

The material expelled from teh stomach during vomiting; vomitus

(EM-eh-sis)

The act of bringing up air from the stomach with a characteristic sound through the mouth; 

belching

(eh-ruk-TAY-shun)

Flatus

Flatulence

A yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera of the eyes caused by greater than normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood; 

also called jaundice

(ICK-ter-us)

is an abnormal, black, tarry stool containing digested blood 

(MELL-eh-nah)

An unpleasant sensation often leading to the urge to vomit

(NAW-zee-ah)

is a common chronic condition of itching of the skin around the anus. 

(proo-RIGH-tus AN-eye)

Greater than normal amounts of fat in the feces, characterized by frothy, foul-smelling fecal matter that floats

(as in celic disease, some malabsorption syndromes, and any condition in which fats are poorly absorbed by the small intestine). 

(stee-ah-toh-REE-ah)

Decreased mobility of the lower two-thirds of the esophagus along with constrictuion of the lower esophageal sphincter. 

(ak-al-LAY-zee-ah)

An abnormal passageway in the skin surface near the anus usually connecting with the rectum. 

(AY-nal FISS-too-lah)

Small, inflammatory, noninfectious, ulcerated lesions occurring on the lips, tongue, and inside the cheeks of the mouth;

also called canker sores

(AFF-thus stoh-mah-TYE-tis)

Nutrient malabsorption due to damaged small-bowel mucosa

(SEE-lee-ak dih-ZEEZ)

The damage to the small-bowel mucosa occurs becuase of the ingestion of gluten-containing foods such as barley, rye, wheat, and oats.

A disease of the liver that is chronic and degenerative, causing injury to the hepatocytes (functional cells of the liver). 

(sih-ROH-sis)

The presence of a malignant neoplasm in teh large intestine. 

(koh-loh-REK-tal CAN-sir)

Digestive tract inflammation of a chronic nature, causing fever, cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, and anorexia. 

(KROHNZ)

an expression used to characterize both diverticulosis and diverticulitis. 

Diverticulosis describes the noninflamed outpouchings or herniations of the muscular layer of the intestine, typically the sigmoid colon. 

Inflmmation of these outpouchings (called diverticula) is referred to as diverticulitis. 

(dye-ver-TIK-yoo-lar dih-ZEEZ)

A term used to describe painful intestinal inflammation typically caused by ingesting water or food containing bacteria, protozoa, parasites, or chemical irritants. 

(DISS-en-ter-ee)

Swollen, twisted (tortuous) veins located in the distal end of the esophagus. 

(eh-soff-ah-JEE-al VAIR-ih-seez)

Gallstones

(cholelithiasis)

Pigmented or hardened cholesterol stones formed as a result of bile crystallization. 

(koh-lee-lih-THIGH-ah-sis)

is an unnaturally distended or swollen vein (called a varicosity) in teh distal rectum or anus 

(HEM-oh-roydz)

Acute or chronic inflammation of the liver due to a viral or bacterial infection, drugs, alcohol, toxins, or parasites

(hep-ah-TYE-tis)

An irregular protrusion of tissue, organ, or a portion of an organ through an abnormal break in the surrounding cavity's muscular wall. 

(HER-nee-ah)

Inflammatory infectious lesions in or on the oral cavity occurring as a primary or a secondary viral infection caused by herpes simplex

(her-PEH-ic stoh-mah-TYE-tis)

Hirschsprung's Disease

(congenital megacolon)

Absence at birth of the autonomic ganglia in a segment of the intestinal smooth muscle wall that normally stimulates peristalsis. 

(HIRSH-sprungz dih-ZEEZ)

(kon-JEN-ih-tal meg-ah-KOH-lon)

A tem used to describe an obstruction of the intestine.

(ILL-ee-us)

Complete or partial alteration in the forward flow of the content in teh small or large intestines.

Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS); 

Spastic Colon

A precancerous lesion occurring anywhere in the mouth. 

Peptic Ulcers

(gastric, duodenal, perforated)

A term used to describe a group of inflammatory gum disorders, which may lead to degeneration of teeth, gums, and sometimes surrounding bones. 

are small growths projecting from teh mucous membrane of the colon or rectum

(koh-loh-REK-tal PALL-ips)

A fungal infection in teh mouth and throat, producing sore, creamy white, slightly raised curdlike patches on teh tongue and other oral mucosal surfaces. 

is caused by Candida albicans

(THRUSH)

A chronic inflammatory condition resulting in a break in teh continuity of the mucous membrane lining of the colon in teh form of ulcers. 

is characterized by large watery diarrheal stools containing mucus, pus, or blood. 

A rotation of loops of bowel, causing a twisting on itself that results in an intestinal obstruction 

(VOL-vyoo-lus)

The use of very-high-frequency sound waves to provide visualization of the internal organs of the abdomen (liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancrease, kidneys, bladder, and ureters);

also known as an abdominal sonogram

Abdominocentesis 

(paracentesis)

invovles insertion of a needle or trocar into the abdominal cavity to remove excess fluid, with the person in a sitting position. 

(pair-ah-sen-TEE-sis)

is a hepatocellular enzyme released in elevated amounts due to liver dysfunction; 

also known as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT)

(AL-ah-neen ah-mee-no-TRANS-fer-ays)

enzyme is found in the highest concentrations in teh liver, biliary tract, and bone 

(AL-kah-line FOSS-fah-tays)

An enzyme secreted normally from the pancreatic cells that travels to the duodenum by way of the pancreatic duct and aids in digestion

(AM-ih-lays)

Barium Enema (BE)

(lower GI series)

Influsion of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, into the rectum and held in the lower intestinal tract while X-ray films are obtained of the lower GI tract

(BAH-ree-um EN-eh-mah)

Barium Swallow

(UGI)

(upper GI series)

involves oral administration of a radiopaque contrast medium, barium sulfate, which flows into the esophagus as the person swallos 

(BAH-ree-um swallow)

Capsule endoscopy is the process of viewing the entire length of teh small intestine by using an ingestible video camera with a light source, which is enclosed in a capsule (about the size of a large vitamin pill). 

This tiny video camera, known as teh camera pill, produces digital images of the entire length of the small intestine and can visualize areas that other diagnostic techniques cannot. Use of the camera pill is not disruptive to the normal activities of teh digestive tract;

also known as vwireless endoscopy

(CAP-sool en-DOSS-koh-pee)

Surgically correcting a defect of the lip 

(KYE-loh-plas-tee)

The surgical removal of the gallbladder

(koh-lee-sis-TEK-toh-mee)

Visualization of the gallbladder through X-ray following the oral ingestion of pills containing a radipaque iodinated dye. 

(koh-lee-sis-TOG-rah-fee)

The direct visualization of the lining of the large intestine using a fiberoptic colonoscope 

(koh-lon-OSS-koh-pee)

The surgical creation of a new opening on the abdominal wall trhough which the feces will be expelled (an abdominal-wall anus) by bringing the incised colon out to the abdominal surface. 

(koh-loss-toh-mee)

A painless, noninvasive X-ray procedue that produces an image created by the computer representing a detailed cross section of the tissue structure wihtin the abdomen;

for example, computerized tomography

CT conolography 

(virtual colonoscopy) 

CT colonography uses CT scanning (or MRI) to obtain an interior view of the colon that is usally seen using an endoscope inserted into the rectum. This non-invasive, painless procedue proves two- and three-dimensional images that can show polyps and other lesions as clearly as when they are seen with direct visual colonoscopy. Use of the CT colonography allows these growths to be detected in their early stages; 

also called a virtual colonscopy

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

(ERCP)

A procedure that examines the size of and the fulling of the pancreatic and biliary ducts through direct radiographic visualization with a fiberoptic endoscope. 

(en-doh-SKOP-ic RET-roh-grayd koh-lan-jee-oh-pan-kree-ah-TOG-rah-fee)

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

(EGD)

is the process of direct visualization of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, using a lighted fiberoptic endoscope; 

also known as an upper endoscopy 

(en-SOFF-ah-goh-GASS-troh-DOO-oh-den-oss-koh-pee)

An alternative treatment for gallstones by using ultrasound to align the computerized lithotripter and source of shock waves with teh stones to crush the gallstones and thus enable the contraction of the gallbladder to remove stone fragments

(eks-trah-0kor-POR-ee-al shock wave LITH-oh-trip-see)

is a radiological technique used to examine the function of an organ or a body part by using a fluoroscope

(floo-or-OS-koh-pee)

Study of the stomach content to determine the acid content and to detect the presence of blood, bacteria, bile, and abnormal cells. 

(GAS-trik analysis)

The irrigation, or washing out, of teh stomach with sterile water or a saline solution. 

(GAS-trik lavage)

is the surgical repair of a hernia by closing the defect 

(her-nee-OR-ah-fee)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging 

(MRI)

involves tube placement through the nose into the stomach for the purpose of relieving gastric distension by removing gastric secretions, gas, or food 

(nay-zoh-GAS-trik in-too-BAY-shun)

An examination of the bile duct structue by using a needle to pass directly into an intrahepatic bile duct to inject a contrast medium;

also abbreviated as PTHC

(per-kyoo-TAY-nee-us trans-heh-PAT-ik koh-lan-jee-OG-rah-fee)

a procedure used to measure and monitor the amount of gastric acid relux into the esophagus during the specified period. The monitoring system will determine how often stomach contents reflux into teh esophagus, how long the acid stays in the esophagus, and how much reflux occurs at nighttime. This test is used to determine if the patient has GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and if so, the severity of teh GERD; 

also known as 48-hour wireless esophageal pH monitoring. 

A measurement of the bilirubin level in the serum. 

These results of teh breakdown of red blood cells. 

(SEE-rum bill-ih-ROO-bin) 

An enzyme that has very high concentration in liver cells; 

also known as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 

(SEE-rum gloo-TAM0ik oks-ah-loh-ah-SEE-tik trans-AM-in-ays)

Small bowel follow-through

involves collection of a stool specimen placed on one or more culture mediums and allowed to grow colonies of microorganisms to identify specific pathogen(s)