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GastroIntestinal Pathophysiology Terms
Glossary of Terms .xls
308
Pathology
Graduate
04/09/2012

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Term
Abdomen
Definition
Area between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, and spleen.
Term
Achalasia
Definition
Failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.
Term
Acute
Definition
Sudden onset of symptoms.
Term
Acquired
Definition
Developed after birth.
Term
Aerophagia
Definition
Ingestion of air.
Term
Afferent nerves
Definition
Nerve fibers (usually sensory) that carry impulses from an organ or tissue toward the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), or the information processing centers of the enteric nervous system, which is located within the walls of the digestive tract.
Term
Afferent pathways
Definition
Nerve structures through which impulses are conducted from a peripheral part (e.g., the gut or intestines) toward a nerve center (e.g., the central nervous system).
Term
Aganglionosis
Definition
Absence of nerve cells.
Term
Allodynia
Definition
Pain due to stimuli that do not normally provoke pain.
Term
Allostasis
Definition
The ability of the organism to achieve stability through adaptation or change. This process, which is critical to our survival, involves the autonomic nervous system, the HPA axis, and the cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems which act to protect the body by responding to internal and external stimuli. Paradoxically, these same systems, when activated by stress, can protect and restore as well as damage the body.
Term
Ambulatory care
Definition
Health services provided in a doctor's office, or on an outpatient basis.
Term
Amino Acids
Definition
A group of 20 different kinds of small molecules that link together in long chains to form proteins. Often referred to as the "building blocks" of proteins.
Term
Anal fissure
Definition
Crack in the skin in or adjacent to the anal canal.
Term
Analgesic
Definition
Pain relieving.
Term
Anastomosis, intestinal
Definition
Reattachment of two portions of bowel.
Term
Anismus
Definition
A condition marked by the failure of pelvic floor muscles to relax, or a paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, with defecation. Also referred to as pelvic floor dyssynergia.
Term
Antinociception
Definition
Increased tolerance to pain.
Term
Antispasmodics
Definition
Drugs that inhibit smooth muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal tract.
Term
Anorectal manometry
Definition
A test that can be used to measure resting and squeezing anal sphincter pressures, rectal sensation and compliance, and sphincter response.
Term
Anus
Definition
The opening of the rectum.
Term
Autonomic nervous system
Definition
The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions of internal organs such as the bowel.
Term
Bacteria
Definition
Very small organisms (microbes) that are normally in the gut (intestines). There are over 500 different kinds known to live in the gut; most (up to several billion) bacteria are in the large intestine (colon). "Normal" bacteria have important functions in life and health. Bacteria that can cause infection are called "pathogens." Normal bacteria protect against pathogens.
Term
Barium
Definition
A metallic, chemical, chalky, liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show up on an x-ray.
Term
Basic science
Definition
The fundamental approach to understanding how systems work. Basic research takes place in the laboratory and often involves the study of molecules and cells.
Term
Bile
Definition
Secretions of the liver that aid in digestion and absorption, and stimulate coordinated contractionsin the intestinal tract (peristalsis).
Term
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
Definition
A type of bacteria that, in the right amount, may have a beneficial effect (probiotic), and help lessen some bowel symptoms.
Term
Biliary tract
Definition
Gall bladder and the bile ducts.
Term
Biomedical model
Definition
The model of illness and disease in Western medical education and research. It has two assumptions: (1) reductionism - that all conditions can be linearly reduced to a single cause, and (2) dualism - where illness and disease are divided either to an "organic" disorder having an objectively defined cause, or a "functional" disorder, with no specific cause or pathophysiology. The biomedical model is not sufficient to explain the functional GI disorders.[Rome II]
Term
Biopsy
Definition
Tissue sample.
Term
Biopsychosocial model
Definition
A model that proposes that illness and disease result from simultaneously interacting systems at the cellular, tissue, organismal, interpersonal, and environmental level. It incorporates the biologic aspects of the disorder with the unique psychosocial features of the individual, and helps explain the variability in symptom expression among individuals having the same biologic condition.
Term
Blinding
Definition
A process in a clinical study that conceals a treatment from the patient.
Term
Borborygmi
Definition
Audible rumbling abdominal sounds due to gas gurgling with liquid as it passes through the intestines.
Term
Bowel
Definition
The intestines.
Term
Brain-gut axis
Definition
The continuous bi-directional flow of information and feedback that takes place between the gastrointestinal tract, and the brain and spinal cord (which together comprise the central nervous system).
Term
Call to stool
Definition
Feeling the need to have a bowel movement.
Term
Celiac disease
Definition
Inability to digest and absorb the protein gliadin (a component of gluten). Gliadin is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Celiac disease is also called celiac sprue, and gluten intolerance.
Term
Cell
Definition
The basic unit of any living organism. It is a small, watery, compartment filled with chemicals and a complete copy of the organism's genome.
Term
Central amplification
Definition
Changes that occur in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that affect cell transmitters and receptors, thereby increasing the excitability of neurons and resulting in heightened perception of signals from the gastrointestinal tract.
Term
Chronic
Definition
Symptoms occurring over a long period of time.
Term
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP)
Definition
A rare disorder of gastrointestinal motility where coordinated contractions (peristalsis) in the intestinal tract become altered and inefficient.
Term
Clinical science
Definition
The approach aimed at understanding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders through studies involving people, usually carried out in clinical settings.
Term
Clinical significance
Definition
A conclusion that an intervention has an effect that is of practical meaning to patients and health care providers.
Term
Clinical trial
Definition
An experimental research study that tests new medical interventions on people. These interventions may include drugs, devices, or other instruments.
Term
Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)
Definition
A gram-positive anaerobic bacterium. C. difficile is recognized as the major causative agent of colitis (inflammation of the colon) and diarrhea that may occur following antibiotic intake.
Term
Cohort study
Definition
An observational study in which outcomes in a group of patients that received an intervention are compared with outcomes in a similar group i.e., the cohort, either contemporary or historical, of patients that did not receive the intervention.
Term
Colectomy
Definition
Removal of part or all of the colon.
Term
Colitis
Definition
Inflammation of the colon.
Term
Colon
Definition
The large intestine.
Term
Colonic inertia
Definition
Delayed colonic action. Symptoms include long delays in the passage of stool accompanied by lack of urgency to move the bowels
Term
Colonoscopy
Definition
Colonoscopy is a fiberoptic (endoscopic) procedure in which a thin, flexible, lighted viewing tube (a colonoscope) is threaded up through the rectum for the purpose of inspecting the entire colon and rectum and, if there is an abnormality, taking a tissue sample of it (biopsy) for examination under a microscope, or removing it.
Term
Colostomy
Definition
A surgically created opening of the colon to the abdominal wall, allowing the diversion of fecal waste.
Term
Commensals
Definition
Non-pathogenic microorganisms that become part of the host's normal flora.
Term
Comorbidity
Definition
Coexistence with another disease or condition.
Term
Congenital
Definition
Conditions existing at birth, but not through heredity.
Term
Contrast radiology
Definition
A test in which a contrast material (i.e., Barium) is used to coat the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine so they show up on an x-ray.
Term
Control
Definition
(See Randomized controlled trial) A standard of comparison which can be a conventional practice, a placebo, or no intervention.
Term
Control group
Definition
A group of patients that serves as the basis of comparison when assessing the effects of the intervention of interest that is given to the patients in the treatment group.
Term
Constipation
Definition
Reduced stool frequency, or hard stools, difficulty passing stools, or painful bowel movements.
Term
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)
Definition
CRF is a family of peptides. They act as messengers and interact with CRF receptors on cells (CRF1 and CRF2) that receive a stimulus or message, which induce a physiological response in the body. These CRF peptides and receptors are located, among other sites, both in the brain and the gut in regions linked with digestive function, emotional behavior, and autonomic nervous system activity.
Term
Cortisol
Definition
A hormone associated with the physical effects of the stress response within the body.
Term
Crohn's disease
Definition
A chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease.
Term
Cytokines
Definition
A type of protein released by cells of the immune system, which act through specific cell receptors to regulate immune responses
Term
Declaration of Helsinki
Definition
A set of guidelines adopted in Helsinki, Finland, in 1964. The Declaration addressed the ethics of clinical research and recommended specific safeguards, including informed consent.
Term
Defecography
Definition
A test that uses x-rays to look at the behavior of the rectum and anus during attempts to defecate.
Term
Dehydration
Definition
An excessive loss of fluids in the body.
Term
Diabetes
Definition
A disease in which blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are above normal. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), is the most common form of diabetes.
Term
Diaphragm
Definition
The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen.
Term
Diarrhea
Definition
Passing frequent and/or loose or watery stools. Acute diarrhea goes away in a few weeks, and becomes chronic when it lasts longer than 4 weeks.
Term
Digestive tract
Definition
A group of hollow organs that forms a long, twisting tube extending from the mouth to the anus through which food is ingested, digested, and expelled.
Term
Digital examination
Definition
Physical exam in which the doctor inserts his or her finger.
Term
Dilatation
Definition
Expansion of an organ or vessel.
Term
Discomfort
Definition
An unpleasant, but not painful, feeling.
Term
Disease
Definition
A condition of an organic being or of one of its parts that impairs normal living functioning.
Term
Disorder
Definition
A disturbance in regular or normal function. An abnormal condition.
Term
Distal esophageal spasm (DES)
Definition
A rare motility (movement) disorder of the lower (distal) two-thirds of the esophagus. Occurring equally in men and women, the most common symptoms are chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Some patients may experience unusual symptoms like an unexplained cough.
Term
Distention
Definition
An uncomfortable swelling in the intestines.
Term
Diverticula
Definition
Small pouches in the colon.
Term
Diverticulitis
Definition
Occurs when diverticula become infected or irritated.
Term
Diverticulosis
Definition
A condition of having multiple diverticulum in the walls of the colon. Also called uncomplicated diverticular disease.
Term
Diverticulum
Definition
Singular of diverticula.
Term
DNA
Definition
Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that contains the genetic code for all life forms (except for a few viruses).
Term
Domperidone
Definition
A pro-motility agent, domperidone, has been used in countries outside of the U.S. to treat gastroparesis or severe GI motility disorders.  In 2004 the FDA determined that there are some patients with severe gastrointestinal disorders that are refractory (resistant) to standard therapy, who may benefit from domperidone and in whom the drug's benefits outweigh its risks. FDA encourages physicians who would like to prescribe domperidone for their patients with severe gastrointestinal disorders that are refractory to standard therapy to open an Investigational New Drug Application (IND). Find out more at this FDA web page.
Term
Double blinding
Definition
A process in a clinical study that conceals the treatment from both the patient and the investigator.
Term
Duodenum
Definition
The first part of the small intestine.
Term
Dysmotility (intestinal)
Definition
Abnormal contractions, of varying frequency and severity, of the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, which may or may not be associated with symptoms. They differ from functional gastrointestinal disorders, which are defined by symptoms that may or may not have dysmotility, but which are also associated with low pain thresholds (visceral hypersensitivity). When occurring in the stomach or small intestine, dysmotility can result in disorders like gastroparesis or with or without symptoms such as bloating, pain, nausea, and vomiting due to either disorganized contractions, or weak contractions. When occurring in the large intestine, dysmotility can result in disorders like Hirschsprung's disease or colonic inertia that can produce symptoms of constipation, or other conditions that cause diarrhea. The abnormal motility involves changes in the contractions that either move or hold back stool. Abnormalities of "dysmotility" can be measured with special motility testing.
Term
Dyspepsia
Definition
A term often used to describe pain or discomfort that occurs in the upper abdominal area.
Term
Dysphagia
Definition
Difficulty swallowing.
Term
Effectiveness
Definition
The extent to which an intervention does people more good than harm under general or routine conditions.
Term
Efficacy
Definition
The extent to which an intervention improves the outcome for people under ideal circumstances. Testing efficacy means finding out whether something is capable of causing an effect at all.
Term
Efferent nerves
Definition
Nerve fibers that carry impulses away from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), which cause a muscle or gland to contract, or which modify or inhibit its contraction.
Term
Electrolytes
Definition
Chemicals that break down into ions (atoms) in the body's fluids and are essential to regulating many body functions.
Term
Encopresis
Definition
Fecal incontinence – the involuntary loss of solid liquid stool in children.
Term
Endoscope
Definition
A thin, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, colon, or rectum.
Term
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Definition
See ERCP.
Term
Endoscopy
Definition
A procedure that uses an endoscope to diagnose or treat a condition. There are many types of endoscopy; examples include colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy, enteroscopy, and esophogealgastroduodenoscopy (EGD).
Term
Enteral nutrition
Definition
Food provided through a tube placed in the nose, stomach, or small intestine.
Term
Enteric nervous system (ENS)
Definition
Autonomic nervous system within the walls of the digestive tract. The ENS regulates digestion and the muscle contractions that eliminate solid waste.
Term
Enteritis
Definition
An irritation of the small intestine.
Term
Enterocele
Definition
The descent of loops of small intestine into the pelvis, that bulge into the vagina during straining. An enterocele may cause pain and/or obstructed defecation.
Term
Enterocolitis
Definition
Inflammation of the intestines
Term
Enteroscopy
Definition
Examination of the inside of the small intestine using an endoscope.
Term
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
Definition
A rare disease characterized by food-related reactions, infiltration of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in the GI tract, and an increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood.
Term
Epidemiology
Definition
The study of the distribution of health-related states or events in specified populations and the application of this study to the control of health problems.
Term
Epithelium
Definition
The inner and outer tissue covering digestive tract organs.
Term
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
Definition
A procedure for the examination or treatment of the bile ducts (biliary tree) and pancreatic ducts that combines the use of x-rays and an endoscope. Used to diagnose and manage problems of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas such as gallstones and their complications, pancreatic and biliary cancers, pancreatitis and its complications, and pancreaticobiliary pain. The procedure carries a risk of serious complications, requires conscious sedation of the patient, and is performed by gastroenterologists or other physicians with special training. (The National Institutes of Health (NIH) held a State-of-the-Science Conference on ERCP for diagnosis and therapy on January 14-16, 2002.)
Term
Esophagitis
Definition
Inflammation of the esophagus.
Term
Esophagus
Definition
The organ that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Term
Esophogealgastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Definition
Examination of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope. (Also called Gastroscopy or Upper Endoscopy)
Term
Etiology
Definition
Cause.
Term
Etiologic mechanisms
Definition
The processes that cause or contribute to the cause of diseases or conditions.
Term
Evidence-based
Definition
Findings based on the use of current best evidence from scientific and medical research.
Term
Evidence-based medicine
Definition
The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the current best evidence from clinical care research in making decisions about the care of individual patients
Term
Extraintestinal
Definition
Occurring outside the intestines.
Term
Failure to thrive (Pediatric)
Definition
A condition that occurs when a baby does not grow normally.
Term
Familial
Definition
Tending to occur in more members of a family than expected by chance alone.
Term
Fecalith:
Definition
A hard mass of dried feces.
Term
Feces
Definition
Waste eliminated from the bowels.
Term
Fistula
Definition
An abnormal passage between two organs or between an organ and the outside of the body.
Term
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)
Definition
See Serotonin.
Term
Food allergy
Definition
An immune system response by which the body creates antibodies as a reaction to certain food. Studies show that true food allergies are present in only 1-2% of adults.
Term
Functional abdominal pain
Definition
Continuous, nearly continuous, or frequently recurrent pain localized in the abdomen but poorly related to gut function.
Term
Functional bowel disorder
Definition
A functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms attributable to the mid or lower gastrointestinal tract.
Term
Functional constipation
Definition
A group of functional disorders which present as persistent difficult, infrequent, or seemingly incomplete defecation.
Term
Functional diarrhea
Definition
Daily or frequently recurrent passage of loose (mushy) or watery stools without abdominal pain or intervening constipation.
Term
Ganglion
Definition
(Plural: ganglia) Usually, a group of nerve cell bodies lying outside of the central nervous system (CNS); also used for one group of nerve cell bodies within the CNS – the basal ganglia.
Term
Gastric
Definition
Related to the stomach.
Term
Gastric Juices
Definition
Liquids produced in the stomach to help break down food and kill bacteria.
Term
Gastritis
Definition
An inflammation of the stomach lining.
Term
Gastroenteritis
Definition
An infection or irritation of the stomach and intestines.
Term
Gastroenterologist
Definition
A doctor who specializes in digestive diseases or disorders.
Term
Gastroenterology
Definition
The field of medicine concerned with the function and disorders of the digestive system.
Term
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Definition
The muscular tube from the mouth to the anus, also called the alimentary canal or digestive tract.
Term
Gastroparesis
Definition
Nerve or muscle damage in the stomach. Also called delayed gastric emptying.
Term
Gastroscopy
Definition
Examination of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope.
Term
Gastrostomy (G-tube)
Definition
A method of enteral feeding in which a tube is surgically introduced through the abdominal wall.
Term
Gene
Definition
The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.
Term
Gene expression
Definition
The process by which the instructions in genes are converted to messenger RNA, which directs protein synthesis.
Term
Genome
Definition
The complete genetic material of an organism.
Term
GER (gastroesophageal reflux)
Definition
Also called acid reflux, a condition where the contents of the stomach regurgitates (or backs up) into the esophagus (food pipe), causing discomfort.
Term
GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Definition
A condition characterized by symptoms and/or tissue damage that results from repeated or prolonged exposure of the lining of the esophagus to acidic contents from the stomach.
Term
Glial cell
Definition
A type of cell that surrounds nerve cells and holds them in place. Glial cells also insulate nerve cells from each other.
Term
Global
Definition
Overall or multiple (e.g., global symptoms).
Term
Globus
Definition
A sensation of something stuck or of a lump or tightness in the throat.
Term
Gluten intolerance
Definition
See Celiac disease.
Term
Gut
Definition
Esophagus, stomach and intestines.
Term
H2-blockers
Definition
Medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Term
Health related quality of life
Definition
The impact an illness has on quality of life, including the individual's perception of his or her illness.
Term
Health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures
Definition
Patient outcome measures that extend beyond traditional measures of mortality and morbidity, to include such dimensions as physiology, function, social activity, cognition, emotion, sleep and rest, energy and vitality, health perception, and general life satisfaction. (Some of these are also known as health status, functional status, or quality of life measures.)
Term
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
Definition
A bacterium that can damage stomach and duodenal tissue, causing ulcers.
Term
Hemorrhoids
Definition
Veins around the anus or lower rectum that are swollen and inflamed.
Term
Hepatic
Definition
Related to the liver.
Term
Heredity
Definition
The passing of a trait from parent to offspring through genetically coded information
Term
Hereditary
Definition
Genetically transmitted or transmittable from parent to offspring.
Term
Heritability
Definition
The extent to which a trait is influenced by our genetic makeup.
Term
Hiatal hernia
Definition
A small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest.
Term
Hirschsprung's disease
Definition
A rare congenital disorder that is caused by absence of nerve cells (ganglion) in the rectum and/or colon.
Term
Homeostasis
Definition
Maintenance of a relatively stable or balanced internal body state despite environmental fluctuations. The tendency in an organism toward maintenance of physiological and psychological stability.
Term
HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis
Definition
A system within the body that responds to stress by stimulating or inhibiting the release of various hormones, in particular cortisol, into the blood which then stimulates systems essential to self-preservation.
Term
Hyperalgesia
Definition
Lowered threshold to pain.
Term
Hypersensitivity
Definition
An increased or exaggerated response to stimuli.
Term
Hypervigilance
Definition
Increased vigilance. An intensified state of paying attention to or focusing on specific things. May severely limit a person's ability to focus on specific tasks or engage in reflective thinking when their focus is on scanning for threatening stimuli. A person with a functional GI disorder or incontinence may be hypervigilant when their focus is on scanning for bodily sensations or indications that signal symptom onset.
Term
Idiopathic
Definition
A disease or disorder of unknown cause or origin.
Term
Ileostomy
Definition
A surgically created opening of the abdominal wall to the ileum, allowing the diversion of fecal waste.
Term
Ileum
Definition
The lower third of the small intestine, adjoining the colon.
Term
Illness
Definition
A subjective state of feeling unwell that may include impairment of normal physiological and social function.
Term
Imaging
Definition
Tests that produce pictures of areas inside the body.
Term
Imperforate anus
Definition
A birth defect in which the anal canal fails to develop, treated surgically.
Term
Incidence
Definition
Describes the occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population. It is a rate, showing how many new cases of a disease occurred in a population (typically a susceptible population called the "at-risk population" ) during a specified interval of time (usually expressed as number of new cases per unit time per fixed number of people; e.g., number of new cases per 1,000 persons in one year).
Term
Inflammation
Definition
Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body. This is a protective reaction to injury, disease, or irritation of the tissues.
Term
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Definition
Long-lasting problems that cause irritation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common disorders are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Term
Ingestion
Definition
Taking into the body by mouth.
Term
Inherited
Definition
Transmitted through genes from parents to offspring.
Term
Innervated
Definition
A structure supplied with intact nerves.
Term
Institutional review board (IRB)
Definition
In the U.S. a group of scientists, doctors, clergy, and consumers at each health care facility that participates in a clinical trial. IRBs are designed to protect study participants. They review and must approve the action plan for every clinical trial. They check to see that the trial is well designed, does not involve undue risks, and includes safeguards for patients.
Term
Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)
Definition
Specialized cells found throughout the gastrointestinal tract that are required for normal gastrointestinal motility.
Term
Interstitial cystitis
Definition
A long-lasting condition also known as painful bladder syndrome or frequency-urgency-dysuria syndrome. The wall of the bladder becomes inflamed or irritated, which affects the amount of urine the bladder can hold and causes scarring, stiffening, and bleeding in the bladder.
Term
Intervention
Definition
Anything meant to change the course of events for someone (e.g., drug, surgery, test, treatment, counseling, etc.)
Term
Intestinal
Definition
Relating to or occuring in the intestines.
Term
Intestinal barrier function
Definition
The ability to control uptake across the mucosa and protect from damage of harmful substances from the lumen.
Term
Intestinal mucosa
Definition
The surface lining of the intestines where the cells absorb nutrients.
Term
Intestinal permeability
Definition
The barrier properties of the lining of the intestines, which prevent harmful substances from passing through into the body.
Term
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Definition
A motility disorder with symptoms like those of a bowel blockage, but with no physical evidence of blockage or obstruction. Symptoms may include cramps, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, fewer bowel movements than usual, and loose stools.
Term
Intestines
Definition
Also known as the gut or bowels, is the long, tube-like organ in the human body that completes digestion or the breaking down of food. They consist of the small intestine and the large intestine.
Term
Intractable
Definition
Symptoms that don't respond to usual treatments.
Term
Investigational
Definition
In U.S. clinical trials, refers to a drug (including a new drug, dose, combination, or route of administration) or procedure that has undergone basic laboratory testing and received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be tested in human subjects. A drug or procedure may be approved by the FDA for use in one disease or condition, but be considered investigational in other diseases or conditions. Also called experimental.
Term
Investigational New Drug Application (IND)
Definition
A petition to the FDA to allow testing of a new drug in clinical trials.
Term
In vitro
Definition
In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body).
Term
In vivo
Definition
In the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory).
Term
Irritable bowel syndrome
Definition
A functional bowel disorder in which abdominal discomfort or pain is associated with a range of symptoms. Typically, these include intermittent abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, or alternatign episodes of both.
Term
Ischemic colitis
Definition
Inflammation of the large intestine (colon) caused by decreased blood flow to the colon. Symptoms may include: abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, blood in the stool, diarrhea, low back pain.
Term
Jejunostomy (J-tube)
Definition
0
Term
Laboratory study
Definition
Research done in a laboratory. These studies may use test tubes or animals to find out if a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to be useful. Laboratory studies take place before any testing is done in humans.
Term
Laboratory test
Definition
A medical procedure that involves testing a sample of blood, urine, or other substance from the body. Tests can help determine a diagnosis, plan treatment, check to see if treatment is working, or monitor the disease over time.
Term
Lactose
Definition
A sugar found commonly in milk and dairy products.
Term
Lactose intolerance
Definition
The inability to digest or absorb lactose.
Term
Laparoscopy
Definition
The insertion of a thin, lighted tube (called a laparoscope) through the abdominal wall to inspect the inside of the abdomen and remove tissue samples.
Term
Large intestine
Definition
The long, tube-like organ that is connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other. The large intestine has four parts: cecum, colon, rectum, and anal canal. Partly digested food moves through the cecum into the colon, where water and some nutrients and electrolytes are removed. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon, is stored in the rectum, and leaves the body through the anal canal and anus.
Term
Laxative
Definition
A compound that increases fecal water content.
Term
Limbic system
Definition
A network of brain regions involved in the regulation of the function of internal organs, emotions, and the maintenance of homeostasis.
Term
Lumen
Definition
The cavity of a tubular organ, such as the intestines.
Term
Lymphocyte
Definition
A type of white blood cell. Lymphocytes have a number of roles in the immune system, including the production of antibodies and other substances that fight infection and diseases.
Term
Manometry
Definition
A test that measures pressure or contractions in the intestinal tract.
Term
Mast cell
Definition
A type of immune system cell present in blood and tissue.
Term
Mast cell degranulation
Definition
The release from within the cell of granules, or small sacs, containing chemicals that can digest microorganisms and activate other cells to fight infection.
Term
Mediators
Definition
Substances within the body, such as hormones, that can transmit messages to nerve or muscle tissue to stimulate a response.
Term
Meta-analyses
Definition
A method of summarizing previous research by reviewing and combining results from multiple studies.
Term
Migration
Definition
The movement of cells, etc. from one position to another.
Term
Morbidity
Definition
A disease or the incidence of disease within a population. Morbidity also refers to adverse effects caused by a treatment.
Term
Motility
Definition
Spontaneous movement. A term used to describe the motor activity of smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Term
Mucosa
Definition
A mucous membrane that lines body passageways and cavities such as the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Term
Myogenic
Definition
Originating in muscle tissue.
Term
Natural History
Definition
A description of what happens to a medical condition over time (e.g., improves, stays the same, worsens) in the absence of treatment.
Term
Nasograstro tube (NG-tube)
Definition
A method of enteral feeding in which a tube is placed through a nasal passageway into the stomach.
Term
Nerve(s)
Definition
Cells in the human body that are the building blocks of the nervous system (the system that records and transmits information chemically and electrically within a person). Nerve cells, or neurons, are made up of a nerve cell body and various extensions from the cell body that receive and transmit impulses from and to other nerves and muscles.
Term
Neural
Definition
Having to do with nerves or the nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord.
Term
Neuroendocrinology
Definition
The science of how hormones and glands interact with the nervous system.
Term
Neuronoal intestinal dysplasia (NID)
Definition
A variety of conditions in which nerve cells (ganglion) are present in the colon but may be abnormal in their position, number, maturity, or appearance.
Term
Neuropeptide
Definition
A member of a class of protein-like molecules made in the brain. Neuropeptides consist of short chains of amino acids, with
Term
Neurotransmitter
Definition
A chemical in the nervous system that helps transmit messages.
Term
NIDDK or National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Definition
One of the 27 NIH Institutes and Centers, the NIDDK conducts and supports basic and applied research and provides leadership for a national program in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. Access the NIDDK web site at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm.
Term
NIH or National Institutes of Health
Definition
The focal point of biomedical research in the United States. NIH conducts research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the NIH web site at http://www.nih.gov.
Term
Nonblinded
Definition
Describes a clinical trial or other experiment in which the researchers know what treatments are being given to each study subject or experimental group. If human subjects are involved, they know what treatments they are receiving.
Term
Noxious stimulus
Definition
Stimulus that causes or has the potential to cause pain.
Term
Nutrient
Definition
A chemical compound (such as protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, or minerals) that make up foods.
Term
Nutrition
Definition
The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body.
Term
Ogilvie's syndrome
Definition
See Pseudo-obstruction.
Term
P value
Definition
The p (probability) value is a calculation used in studies to determine if the results are caused by chance or not. The lower the p-value, the more likely it is that the difference between groups was caused by treatment. A p value less than 0.05 is statistically significant and indicates that the result is not due to chance.
Term
Pain threshold
Definition
The point at which a person becomes aware of pain.
Term
Palpation
Definition
Examination by pressing on the surface of the body to feel the organs or tissues underneath.
Term
Parenteral nutrition
Definition
The slow infusion of a solution of nutrients into a vein through a catheter, which is surgically implanted. This may be partial, to supplement food and nutrient intake, or total (TPN, total parenteral nutrition), providing the sole source of energy and nutrient intake for the patient.
Term
Pathogenesis
Definition
The origin and development of a disease or disorder.
Term
Pathogens
Definition
Disease causing microorganisms.
Term
Pathological
Definition
Disease related.
Term
Pathology
Definition
The study of the fundamental nature, causes, and development of abnormal conditions and the structural and functional changes that result.
Term
Pathophysiologic mechanisms
Definition
Processes involved with a particular function.
Term
Pathophysiology
Definition
Changes or alterations in function that accompany a particular syndrome or disease, generally as distinguished from structural defects.
Term
Pelvic
Definition
Having to do with the pelvis (the lower part of the abdomen located between the hip bones).
Term
Pelvic floor dyssynergia
Definition
A problem with the way certain nerves and muscles function in the pelvic floor.
Term
Peptic ulcer
Definition
A sore in the lining of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, usually caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). An ulcer in the stomach is a gastric ulcer; an ulcer in the duodenum is a duodenal ulcer.
Term
Perineum
Definition
The area of the body between the anus and the vulva in females, and between the anus and the scrotum in males.
Term
Peristalsis
Definition
Synchronized or coordinated contraction of the muscles that propel food content through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to facilitate normal digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Peristalsis is dependent upon the coordination between the muscles, nerves, and hormones in the digestive tract.
Term
Pharmacokinetics
Definition
How the body handles a drug, including how it is absorbed, circulated, transformed, and eliminated.
Term
Physiology
Definition
The study of how the body functions at the levels of organs, cells, and molecules.
Term
Pilot study
Definition
The initial study examining a new method or treatment.
Term
Placebo
Definition
A placebo is an effect, not merely a thing. It is more or less a component of all healing yet is poorly understood or studied. In clinical trials a placebo pill, device, or procedure acts as a control to ensure that the effect seen with the treatment is specific, not only the result of the placebo effect or the natural evolution of an illness that accompany every therapeutic encounter. (Thompson WG. What are placebos, IFFGD 2002; Fact Sheet No. 172)
Term
Postprandial
Definition
After meals.
Term
Prevalence
Definition
The proportion of people in the entire population who are found to be with a disease or disorder at a certain point in time (sometimes called a "cross section"), without regard to when they first got the disease.
Term
Primary care
Definition
First contact medical care to patients.
Term
Primary care physician
Definition
A doctor who manages a person's health care over time. A primary care doctor is able to give a wide range of care, including prevention and treatment, and can refer a patient to a specialist.
Term
Primary lactase deficiency
Definition
When a person is born with the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose can't be digested because there is not enough of an enzyme, called lactase, in the body. Consuming milk and dairy products causes diarrhea, bloating, gas, and discomfort. This deficiency can also develop over time, as the amount of lactase in the body decreases with age.
Term
Probiotics
Definition
Microbial cell preparations or components of microbial cells that have a beneficial effect on the health and well being of the host.
Term
Proceedings
Definition
A collection of current research reports, usually presented as brief abstracts, from a scientific meeting.
Term
Progressive muscle relaxation
Definition
Voluntary relaxation through systematic tensing and relaxing of different muscle groups.
Term
Prokinetic
Definition
Drugs that enhance propulsion of contents through the gut.
Term
Prospective study
Definition
A study that utilizes carefully defined protocols to determine an outcome that is unknown beforehand.
Term
Protease
Definition
A protein that digests other proteins.
Term
Protein
Definition
A large complex molecule made up of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins perform a wide variety of activities in the cell.
Term
Protocol
Definition
An action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what the study will do, how, and why. It explains how many people will be in it, who is eligible to participate, what study agents or other interventions they will be given, what tests they will receive and how often, and what information will be gathered.
Term
Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
Definition
A drug that limits acid secretion in the stomach.
Term
Pseudo-obstruction (intestinal)
Definition
A motility disorder with symptoms like those of a bowel blockage, but with no physical evidence of blockage or obstruction. Symptoms may include cramps, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, fewer bowel movements than usual, and loose stools. May be chronic or acute (Ogilvie's syndrome).
Term
Quality of life
Definition
Perception of ability to meet daily needs, physical activities, well-being.
Term
Radiation proctitis
Definition
Bleeding, mucous and bloody discharge, spasm of the rectal wall, urgency, and incontinence due radiation-induced damage to the rectum. Late symptoms result from scarring of the rectal and anal muscles with loss of some of the small blood vessels. The rectum becomes stiff and noncompliant (nonstretchable) and abnormal blood vessels may develop.
Term
Random allocation
Definition
A method where all participants in a study have the same chance of being assigned to a study group, rather than allocation being assigned by the investigators,
Term
Randomized controlled trial
Definition
A study in which people are allocated at random to receive one of several clinical interventions. One intervention is regarded as a standard of comparison or control.
Term
Receptor
Definition
A structure in each cell that selectively receives and binds a specific substance, such as a neurotransmitter.
Term
Rectum
Definition
The lower end of the large intestine, leading to the anus.
Term
Refractory
Definition
Resistant to treatment.
Term
Resection, intestinal
Definition
The surgical removal of a diseased portion of the intestines.
Term
Retrospective study
Definition
A study in which known outcomes are examined in hindsight using existing records. A retrospective study is usually less reliable than a prospective study.
Term
Reuptake
Definition
A process in which chemical neurotransmitters, after transmitting their message, are taken up again by nerve endings, broken down, and inactivated.
Term
RNA
Definition
Abbreviation for ribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries out DNA's instructions for making proteins.
Term
Rome Criteria
Definition
Lists of symptoms and criteria generally agreed upon by experts to diagnosis a functional gastrointestinal disorder.
Term
Satiety
Definition
Feeling of fullness.
Term
Scientific knowledge
Definition
The current set of peer-evaluated consensus models about how natural phenomena work, which often differ between groups of researchers at the research frontier.
Term
Scientific progress
Definition
The cumulative growth of a system of knowledge over time, in which useful features are retained and nonuseful features are abandoned, based on the rejection or confirmation of testable knowledge.
Term
Scintigraphy
Definition
An imaging method in which a mild dose of a radioactive substance is swallowed to show how material moves through the GI tract.
Term
Sensitization
Definition
Enhancement of a response by an organism that is produced by delivering a strong, generally noxious, stimulus. A neuron becomes more excitable or responsive; it may respond more intensely to naturally occurring stimuli, either peripherally (in the viscera) or centrally (in the brain).
Term
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT)
Definition
A chemical neurotransmitter (a chemical that acts on the nervous system to help transmit messages along the nervous system). It is found in the intestinal wall and the central nervous system. It is now widely understood that 95% of the serotonin in the body resides in the gut.
Term
Short bowel syndrome (short gut)
Definition
A condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed due to anatomical or functional loss of a significant length of the small intestine; severe intestinal disease, dysmotility or the surgical removal of a large portion of the small intestine.
Term
Sigmoid colon
Definition
The S-shaped section of the colon that connects to the rectum.
Term
Sigmoidoscopy
Definition
Examination of the inside of the sigmoid colon and rectum using an endoscope -- a thin, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope). Samples of tissue or cells may be collected for examination under a microscope. Also called proctosigmoidoscopy.
Term
Significant or statistically significant
Definition
A statistical term indicating that the results of a study are stronger than would be expected from chance alone.
Term
Skin test
Definition
A test for an immune response to a compound by placing it on or under the skin.
Term
Small intestine
Definition
The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.
Term
Somatic
Definition
Skin and muscle.
Term
Somatization
Definition
The body's propensity to accentuate certain pain; physical symptoms and no recognizable physical abnormality.
Term
Sphincter
Definition
Ring of muscle that opens and closes.
Term
Sphincter of Oddi
Definition
A muscle at that juncture of the bile and pancreatic ducts and the small intestine. It functions by opening and closing these ducts.
Term
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction
Definition
An abnormality of the contractions of the sphincter of Oddi, which may be seen with a biliary and/or pancreatic type of pain in the upper right and middle parts of the abdomen (below the breastbone). It most commonly occurs in middle-aged women who have had their gallbladder removed. Treatment may involve surgery or medicines aimed at decreasing resistance to the flow of bile or pancreatic juice caused by the sphincter dysfunction.
Term
Spinal cord
Definition
A column of nerve tissue that runs from the base of the skull down the back. It is surrounded by three protective membranes, and is enclosed within the vertebrae (back bones). The spinal cord and the brain make up the central nervous system, and spinal cord nerves carry most messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Term
Squamous cell
Definition
A flat cell that looks like a fish scale under a microscope. Squamous cells cover internal and external surfaces of the body.
Term
Stress
Definition
The neurophysiological and subjective response to stimuli. In contrast to the common interpretation of the term "stress" as a psychological phenomenon, it should be understood as any real or perceived perturbation of an organism's homeostasis, or state of harmony or balance. Stress may disrupt the function of nerve and even immune cells in the GI tract and in the brain. The central stress system involves the release of chemical stress mediators in the brain, which in turn orchestrate an integrated autonomic, behavioral, neuroendocrine, and pain modulatory response. This biological response in turn will alter the way the brain and the viscera (internal organs such as the gut/intestines) interact, and this altered brain-gut interaction can result in worsening of symptoms in functional GI disorders. For example, stress can increase GI symptoms by changing how the brain controls unwanted and painful sensation.
Term
Stressor
Definition
Internal or external factors or stimuli that produce stress. They can be physical, biological, environmental, or psychological; each can activate central stress circuits in an individual. For example, worry about the untimely and unpredictable onsets of uncontrollable abdominal pain or an uncontrollable bowel movement qualify as stressors sufficient to activate the central stress system.
Term
Stricture
Definition
Abnormal narrowing of a body opening.
Term
Syndrome
Definition
A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the disease.
Term
Systemic
Definition
Affecting the entire body.
Term
Tertiary care
Definition
Medical care in a highly specialized center.
Term
Translational science
Definition
Conversion of basic science discoveries into the practical applications that benefit people.
Term
Ulcerative colitis
Definition
A form of inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and inflammation in the inner lining of the colon and rectum.
Term
Ultrasound
Definition
An imaging method in which high-frequency sound waves are used to outline a part of the body.
Term
Upper endoscopy
Definition
Examination of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using an endoscope.
Term
Upper GI series
Definition
X-rays of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Term
Validity
Definition
The extent to which a measure accurately reflects the concept that it is intended to measure.
Term
Valsalva maneuver
Definition
Voluntary increasing pressure in the abdominal cavity with the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to bear down on the rectum to facilitate defecation.
Term
Villi
Definition
Tiny finger-like projections on the surface of the small intestine that help absorb nutrients.
Term
Viscera
Definition
Internal organs such as the gut/intestines or bladder.
Term
Visceral
Definition
Relating to the internal organs, such as the gut/intestines or bladder.
Term
Visceral hypersensitivity (intestinal)
Definition
Enhanced perception, or enhanced responsiveness within the gut — even to normal events.
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