Health Sciences 1101
Medical Terminology
Module 6
The Digestive System
General Digestive System Terms
Gastr/o: Pertaining to the stomach
Enter/o: Pertaining to the intestines
Gatrologist, enterologist and gastroenterologist
-pepsia: Pertaining to digestion
Dent/o: Pertaining to the teeth
Odont/o: Pertaining to the teeth
Dentist, odontist, periodontist, orthodontist
Digestive
System
Basics
Digestive System Organ Terms
Gingiv/o: Gums
Gloss/o or lingu/o: Tongue
Or/o or stomat/o: Mouth
Esophag/o: Esophagus
Pharyg/o: Pharynx
Maxill/o: Jaw
Digestive System Organ Terms
Gastr/o: Stomach
Duoden/o: Duodenum
Enter/o: Intestines
Jejun/o: Jejunum
Ile/o: Illeum
Digestive System Organ Terms
Append/o or appendic/o: Appendix
Col/o or colon/o: Colon
Proct/o: Anus or rectum
Rect/o: Rectum
Sigmoid/o: Sigmoid colon
Digestive System Organ Terms
Cholangi/o: Bile vessel
Cholecyst/o: Gallbladder
Choledoch/o: Bile duct
Hepat/o: Liver
Pancreat/o: Pancreas
http://www.theuniversityhospital.com/livertra
nsplant/html/liverandliverdiseases/anatomyfu
nctions.htm
Products of the Digestive System
Ptyal/o: Saliva
Sial/o: Saliva or salivary gland
Bowel movement: Feces or defecation
Diarrhea: Passage of watery bowel movements
Chol/e: bile or gall
Emesis: vomit
Muc/ous: Mucus
www.homehealthdelivery.com
Digestive System Pathology
Ascites: Abnormal
accumulation of serous
fluid in the peritoneal
cavity.
Borborygmus: Gurgling or
rumbling sound heard
over the large intestine.
Cirrhosis: Chronic liver
disease caused by
prolonged destruction of
liver cells. Can lead to
ineffective liver function
and jaundice.
Digestive System Pathology
Hepatitis: Inflammation of
the liver
Pancreatitis: Inflammation
of the pancreas
Appendicitis: Inflammation
of the appendix
Dysentery: Inflammation of
the intestine, especially
the colon which can be
caused by irritants,
bacteria, or parasites.
Digestive System Pathology
Fistula: Abnormal passage from
one site to another or from a
hollow organ to the surface.
Hernia: Protrusion of projection of
an organ or a part of an organ
through the wall of the cavity
that normally contains it.
Polyp: Small, tumor like, benign
growth that projects from a
mucous membrane surface.
Ulcer: Open sore or lesion of the
skin or mucous membrane
accompanied by sloughing of
necrotic tissue.
Digestive System Pathology
Jaundice: Yellow discoloration of
the skin, mucous membranes,
and sclerae of the eyes caused
by high blood levels of
bilirubin
Obesity: The accumulation of
body fat that exceeds the
body’s skeletal and physical
standards. Typically 20%
above ideal body weight.
Morbid Obesity: More severe
than obesity. A body mass
index (BMI) over 40 which is
generally more than 100
pounds above ideal body
weight.
Digestive System Pathology
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(IBD): Ulceration of the
mucosa of the colon. Also
known as ulcerative colitis.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
Condition characterized by
gastrointestinal discomfort,
signs and symptoms including
constipation, diarrhea, gas,
and bloating. Also called
spastic colon.
Crohn disease: Chronic IBD that
usually affects the ileum. Also
called regional colitis.
Digestive System Pathology
Gastroesophogeal reflux
disease (GRD): Backflow
of gastric contents into the
esophagus due to a
malfunction of the lower
esophageal sphincter
Volvulus: Twisting of the
bowel on itself, causing
obstruction.
Diverticular disease: Bulging
pouches or diverticula push
the mucosal lining outward
through the surrounding
muscle.
Digestive System Diagnosis
and Treatment
Barium swallow: Radiographic
examination of the
esophagus, stomach and
small intestine after oral
administration of barium
sulfate
Barium enema: Radiographic
examination of the rectum
and colon using barium
sulfate as a contrast medium
Scopes: A number of different
scope techniques can be used
to observe the various organs
of the digestive system.
Other imaging techniques:
Digestive System Diagnosis
and Treatment
Endoscopy: Visual
examination of a
cavity or canal
using a specialized
lighted instrument
called and
endoscope.
Stool Guaiac or
hemoccult test:
Test performed on
feces to detect the
presence of blood.
Digestive System Diagnosis
and Treatment
Bariatric surgery: Group of procedures to
treat morbid obesity
Vertical banded gastroplasty: vertically
stapling the stomach near the esophagus
to reduce the size of the stomach
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: Stomach is
stapled and the duodenum is shortened
to reduce the absorption of calories and
fats. End result is a Y shaped
configuration.
Lithotripsy: Crushing of stones using sound
waves.
Nasogastric Intubation: Insertion of a tube
into the stomach through the nose