Absorption

passage of materials through the walls of the small intestine into the blood stream

Achlorhydria

absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric juice

amylase

An enzyme that digests starches into simpler substances

anastomosis

A surgical procedure that creates a new opening between two previously unconnected tubular organs or parts of the same organ

anus

the opening of the rectum to the outside of the body

appendectomy

removal or excision of the appendix

appendicitis

inflammation of the appendix

bile

yello or orange fluid produced by the liver and stores in the gallbladder.  It travels from the gallbladder into the small intestines to help digest fats

biliary

pertaining to bile or bile ducts. Bile ducts empty bile into the small intestine

bilirubin

a yellow-orange pigment found in bile.

bowel

intestine.   the large bowel is called the colon and the small bowel is the small intestine

buccal mucosa

mucous membrane lining of the cheek.

canine teeth

four pointed dog-like teeth.  each canine or cusped tooth is thirs from the middle of the jaw.

cecal

pertaining to the cecum, which is the first part of the large intestine (colon)

cecum

first part of the large intestine (colon)

celiac

pertaining to the abdomen

cheilosis

abnormal consition of the lips

cholecystectomy

excision or removal of the gaallbladder

choledocholithisis

abnormal conditions of stones in the bile duct

choledochojejunostomy

surgical anastomosis ( create new opening) between the common bile duct and the jejunum.

choledochotomy

incision of the common bile duct

cholelithiasis

abnormal condition of the gallstones

colon

large intestine (bowel)

colonoscopy

visual endoscopic exam of the colon

colostomy

new opening of the colon through the abdominal wall to the outside of the body

common bile duct

tube carrying bile from the gallbladder and liver into the first part of the small intestine

defecation

eliminating of wastes and undigested foods through the rectum

deglutition

swallowing

dentibuccal

pertaining to the cheek and teeth

dentin

the chief substance of teeth; surrounding the pulp and covered by the enamel of the crown.

digestion

the process of breaking down complex foods into simpler substances that can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine

duodenal

pertaining to the duodenum

elimination

discharge from the body of indigestible materials or wastes.

emulsification

breakdown of large fat globules into smaller, digestible particles.

enamel

white,campact and hard substances covering the substance of the crown of the tooth.

endodontist

a dentist specializing in the inner parts of the tooth.

enterocolitis

inflammation of the small intestine and colon

enteroenterostomy

new opening between two previously unconnected parts of the small intestine

enzyme

protein that speeds up the rate of the biochemical reaction.  The suffix -ase means enzyme.

esophageal

pertaining to the esophagus

esophagus

tube that carries food from the pharynx to the stomach

fatty acids

substances that are produced when fats are digested.  They combine with glycerol to form fat.

facial

pertaining to the face.

feces

solid wastes; stools

gallbladder

small sac lying below the liver, in which bile is stored.

gastrointestinal tract

the tubular system related to the stomach and intestines beginning with the mouth and ending with the anus.

gastrojejunostomy

new surgical opening between the stomach and the jejunum; an anastomosis.  The procedure is part of a gastric bypass surgery.

gastrostomy

new opening of the stomach through the abdominal wall to the outside of the body.

gingivitis

inflammation of the gums

gluconeogenesis

process of producing new sugar from fats and proteins; occurs mainly in the liver.

glucose

simple sugar necessary as a source of energy for body cells.

glycogen

storage form of glucose; it produces glucose when it is broken down (glycogenolysis) in liver cells.

glycogenolysis

breakdown of glycogen to release sugar

hepatoma

malignant tumor of the liver cells

hepatomegaly

enlargement of the liver

hydrochloric acid

strong acid, present in a dillute form in the stomach; aids digestion

hyperbilirubinemia

high levels of bilirubin(yellow/orange pigment) in the bloodstream; jaundice

hyperglycemia

high levels of sugar in the bloodstream; diabetes mellitus

hypoglossal

pertaining to under the tongue

ileitis

inflammation of the ileum (third part of the small intestine).

ileocecal sphincter

ring of muscles that are between the ileum and the cecum.

incisor

one of the four front teeth on either jaw.

insulin

hormone secreted by specialized cells in the pancreas. Insulin facilitates transport of sugar from the blood into body cells

jejunum

second part of the small intestine

labial

pertaining to the lip

laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdomen and abdominal organs through small abdominal incisions

lipase

enzyme that digest fats; produced by cells in the pancreas and secreted into the duodenum.

lithogenesis

formation of stone

liver

large redish brown organ located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.  it secretes bile, forms blood proteins and metabolizes fats,proteins, and sugars.

lower esophageal spincter

ring of muscles between the esophagus and the stomach

mastication

process of chewing

mesentery

membrane that holds the intestine together; a fold of the peritoneum attaching the small intestine to the dorsal body wall

molar teeth

sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the middle or either side of the dental arc. the most posterior molar is known as the wisdom tooth

oral

pertaining to the mouth

orthodontist

dentist speacializing in straightening the teeth

palate

roof of the mouth; hard palate is the front bony portion and the soft palate is the posterior fleshy part near the throat.

palatopharyngoplasty

surgical resection of unnecessary palatal and oropharyngeal tissue to open airway. used in cases of sleep apnea/snoring

palatoplasty

surgical repair of the palate

pancreas

gland under and behind the stomach; produces enzymes to digeast foods and the hormone insulin to transport sugar to cells

pancreatitis

inflammation of the pancreas

papillae

small elevations on the surface of the tongue containing taste buds

parenteral

pertaining to by some route other than through the gastrointestinal tract, by iv injection

parotid gland

salivary gland within the cheek, anterior to the ear

perianal

pertaining to surrounding the anus

peridontist

dentist specializing in treating the gums

peristalsis

rhythm-like contractions of the tubes of the gastrointestinal tract and other tubular structures

pharyngeal

pertaining to the pharynx or throat

pharynx

throat; the commom passageway for food from the mouth

portal vein

large vein bringing blood to the liver from the intestines.

post prandial

aftermeal

premolar teeth

either of the two teeth on each side of each jaw, just behind the canine teeth and in front of the molars

proctologist

specialist in the study of the anus and the rectum

protease

enzyme that digests protein

pulp

soft tissue with a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

pyloric sphincter

ring of muscles that surround the opening of the stomach to the duodenum

pyloroplasty

surgical repair of the pyloric spincter

pylorus

distal region of the stomach near the duodenum

rectocele

hernia of the wall of the rectum

rectum

final section of the colon

rugae

folds or creases in the mucous membrane of the stomach or the hard palate of the mouth

saliva

enzyme-containing digestive juice secreted by the salivary glands

salivary glands

three pairs of exocrine glands secreting saliva into the mouth; parotid glands, sublingual glands, and submandibular glands

sialadenitis

inflammation of the salivary glands

sialolith

salivary gland stone; lodged in a salivary gland or duct

sigmoid colon

distal lower end of the colon

sigmoidoscopy

visual endoscopic examination of the sigmoid colon

sphincter

circular ring of muscle that surrounds an opening or orifice

steatorrhea

discharge of fat in the feces due to improper digestion and malabsorption of fat

stomatitis

inflammation of the mouth

sublingual

pertainging to under the tongue

submandibular

pertaining to under the jaw

triglycerides

chief form of fat(lipids) in the body cells; composed of three molecules of fattyacids and one molecule of glycerol.

uvula

small, fleshy mass hanging from the soft palate at the back of the mouth

uvulectomy

removal of the uvula

villi

fingerlike,microscopic projections on the inner surface of the small intestine; sites of absorption of foods and fluids