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Go to: Glossary N-Z

A [back to top]

abdomen - area between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen.

absorption - the way nutrients from food move from the small intestine into the cells in the body.

accessory digestive organs - organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract. These organs include the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

activated charcoal - an over-the-counter product that may help relieve intestinal gas.

aerophagia - condition that occurs when a person swallows too much air; causes gas and frequent belching.

alactasia - inherited condition causing the lack of the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar.

alimentary canal - gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

amebiasis - acute or chronic infection; symptoms vary from mild diarrhea to frequent watery diarrhea and loss of water and fluids in the body. See also gastroenteritis.

anal fissure - small tear in the anus that may cause itching, pain, or bleeding.

anal fistula - channel that develops between the anus and the skin. Most fistulas are the result of an abscess (infection) that spreads to the skin.

anastomosis - operation to connect two body parts. An example is an operation in which a part of the colon is removed and the two remaining ends are rejoined.

anemia - not enough red blood, red blood cells, or hemoglobin in the body.

angiodysplasia - abnormal or enlarged blood vessels in the gastrointestinal tract.

angiography - x-ray that uses dye to detect bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.

anoscopy - test to look for fissures, fistulae, and hemorrhoids using a special instrument, called an anoscope, to look into the anus.

antacids - medicines that balance acids and gas in the stomach.

anticholinergics - medicines that calm muscle spasms in the intestine.

antidiarrheals - medicines that help control diarrhea.

antiemetics - medicines that prevent and control nausea and vomiting.

antispasmodics - medicines that help reduce or stop muscle spasms in the intestines.

antrectomy - operation to remove the upper portion of the stomach, called the antrum, to help reduce the amount of stomach acid.

anus - opening at the end of the digestive tract where bowel contents leave the body.

ascending colon - part of the colon on the right side of the abdomen.

ascites - buildup of fluid in the abdomen usually caused by severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis.

asymptomatic - condition of having a disease, but without any symptoms of it.

atonic colon - lack of normal muscle tone or strength in the colon caused by the overuse of laxatives or by Hirschsprung's disease; may result in chronic constipation. Also called lazy colon. See Hirschsprung's disease.

atresia - lack of a normal opening from the esophagus, intestines, or anus.

atrophic gastritis - chronic irritation of the stomach lining that causes the stomach lining and glands to wither away.

autoimmune hepatitis - liver disease caused when the body's immune system destroys liver cells for no known reason.

B [back to top]

barium - chalky liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show up on an x-ray.

barium enema x-ray - lower GI series.

barium meal - upper GI series.

Barrett's esophagus - Peptic ulcer of the lower esophagus caused by the presence of cells that normally stay in the stomach lining.

belching - noisy release of gas from the stomach through the mouth. Also called burping.

Bernstein Test - Test to find out if heartburn is caused by acid in the esophagus; involves dripping a mild acid, similar to stomach acid, through a tube placed in the esophagus.

bezoar - ball of food, mucus, vegetable fiber, hair, or other material that cannot be digested in the stomach, which can cause blockage, ulcers, and bleeding.

bile - fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps break down fats and gets rid of wastes in the body.

bile acids - acids made by the liver that work with bile to break down fats.

bile ducts - tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder for storage and to the small intestine for use in digestion.

biliary atresia - condition present from birth in which the bile ducts inside or outside the liver do not have normal openings. Bile becomes trapped in the liver, causing jaundice and cirrhosis. Without surgery, the condition may cause death.

biliary stricture - narrowing of the biliary tract from scar tissue. The scar tissue may result from injury, disease, pancreatitis, infection, or gallstones. See also stricture.

biliary tract - gallbladder and the bile ducts. Also called biliary system or biliary tree.

bilirubin - substance formed when hemoglobin breaks down. Bilirubin gives bile its color. Bilirubin is normally passed in stool. Too much bilirubin causes jaundice.

bismuth subsalicylate - nonprescription medicine used to treat diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion, and nausea; also part of the treatment for ulcers caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

bloating - fullness or swelling in the abdomen that often occurs after meals.

borborygmi - rumbling sounds caused by gas moving through the intestines (stomach "growling").

bowel - another word for the small and large intestines.

bowel movement - body wastes passed through the rectum and anus.

bowel prep - process used to clean the colon with enemas and a special drink; used before surgery of the colon, colonoscopy, or barium x-ray. See also lavage.

Budd-Chiari syndrome - Rare liver disease in which the veins that drain blood from the liver are blocked or narrowed.

bulking agents - laxatives that make bowel movements soft and easy to pass.

C [back to top]

calculi - stones or solid lumps such as gallstones.

Campylobacter pylori - Original name for the bacterium that causes ulcers; new name is Helicobacter pylori.

candidiasis - mild infection caused by the Candida fungus, which lives naturally in the gastrointestinal tract. Infection occurs when a change in the body, such as surgery, causes the fungus to overgrow suddenly.

carbohydrates - one of the three main classes of food and a source of energy. Carbohydrates are the sugars and starches found in breads, cereals, fruits, and vegetables, which, during digestion, carbohydrates are changed into a simple sugar called glucose. Glucose is stored in the liver until cells need it for energy.

Caroli's disease - An inherited condition. Bile ducts in the liver are enlarged and may cause irritation, infection, or gallstones.

cathartics - laxatives.

catheter - thin, flexible tube that carries fluids into or out of the body.

cecostomy - tube that goes through the skin into the beginning of the large intestine to remove gas or feces; it is a short-term way to protect part of the colon while it heals after surgery.

cecum - beginning of the large intestine; it is connected to the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum.

celiac disease - inability to digest and absorb gliadin, the protein found in wheat. Undigested gliadin causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, which prevents absorption of nutrients from other foods. Celiac disease is also called celiac sprue, gluten intolerance, and nontropical sprue.

celiac sprue - celiac disease.

chlorhydria - too much hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

cholangiography - series of x-rays of the bile ducts.

cholangitis - irritated or infected bile ducts.

cholecystectomy - operation to remove the gallbladder.

cholecystitis - irritated gallbladder.

cholecystogram, oral - x-ray of the gallbladder and bile ducts. Also called oral cholecystography.

cholecystokinin - hormone released in the small intestine. Causes muscles in the gallbladder and the colon to tighten and relax.

choledocholithiasis - gallstones in the bile ducts.

cholelithiasis - gallstones in the gallbladder.

cholestasis - blocked bile ducts often caused by gallstones.

cholesterol - fat-like substance in the body.

chyme - thick liquid made of partially digested food and stomach juices; made in the stomach and moves into the small intestine for further digestion.

cirrhosis - chronic liver condition caused by scar tissue and cell damage, which makes it hard for the liver to remove poisons (toxins) like alcohol and drugs from the blood. These toxins build up in the blood and may affect brain function.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) - Bacteria naturally present in the large intestine that make a substance that can cause a serious infection called pseudomembranous colitis in people taking antibiotics.

colectomy - operation to remove all or part of the colon.

colic - attacks of abdominal pain, caused by muscle spasms in the intestines.

colitis - irritation of the colon.

collagenous colitis - type of colitis caused by an abnormal band of collagen, a thread-like protein.

colon - large intestine.

colonic inertia - condition of the colon when muscles do not work properly, causing constipation.

colonoscopy - test to look into the rectum and colon through a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny lens on the end. This tube is called a colonoscope.

colonoscopic polypectomy - removal of tumor-like growths (polyps) using a device inserted through a colonoscope.

colon polyps - small, fleshy, mushroom-shaped growths in the colon.

coloproctectomy - proctocolectomy.

colorectal cancer - cancer that occurs in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum (the end of the large intestine).

colorectal transit study - test to see how food moves through the colon.

colostomy - operation that makes it possible for stool to leave the body after the rectum has been removed.

common bile duct - tube that carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.

common bile duct obstruction - blockage of the common bile duct, often caused by gallstones.

constipation - condition in which the stool becomes hard and dry.

continence - ability to hold in a bowel movement or urine.

continent ileostomy - operation to create a pouch from part of the small intestine. Stool that collects in the pouch is removed by inserting a small tube through an opening made in the abdomen.

corticosteroids - medicines such as cortisone and hydrocortisone.

Crohn's disease - A chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease that usually affects the lower small intestine (called the ileum) or the colon, but it can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract. Also called regional enteritis and ileitis. See also inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and granuloma.

cryptosporidia - parasite that can cause gastrointestinal infection and diarrhea. See also gastroenteritis.

cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) - sudden, repeated attacks of severe vomiting (especially in children), nausea, and physical exhaustion with no apparent cause.

cystic duct - tube that carries bile from the gallbladder into the common bile duct and the small intestine.

cystic duct obstruction - blockage of the cystic duct, often caused by gallstones.

D [back to top]

defecation - passage of bowel contents through the rectum and anus.

defecography - x-ray of the anus and rectum to see how the muscles work to move stool.

dehydration - loss of fluids from the body, often caused by diarrhea.

delayed gastric emptying - gastroparesis.

dermatitis herpetiformis - skin disorder associated with celiac disease. See also celiac disease.

descending colon - part of the colon where stool is stored. Located on the left side of the abdomen.

diaphragm - muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing.

diarrhea - frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements.

digestants - medicines that aid or stimulate digestion.

digestion - process the body uses to break down food into simple substances for energy, growth, and cell repair.

digestive system - organs in the body that break down and absorb food: the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Organs that help with digestion but are not part of the digestive tract are the tongue, glands in the mouth that make saliva, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.

distention - bloating or swelling of the abdomen.

diverticula - plural form of diverticulum.

diverticulitis - condition that occurs when small pouches in the colon (diverticula) become infected or irritated. Also called left-sided appendicitis.

diverticulosis - condition that occurs when small pouches (diverticula) push outward through weak spots in the colon.

diverticulum - small pouch in the colon. These pouches are not painful or harmful unless they become infected or irritated.

Dubin-Johnson syndrome - Inherited form of chronic jaundice (yellow tint to the skin and eyes) that has no known cause.

dumping syndrome - condition that occurs when food moves too fast from the stomach into the small intestine. Also called rapid gastric emptying.

duodenal ulcer - ulcer in the lining of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

duodenitis - irritation of the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

duodenum - first part of the small intestine.

dysentery - infectious disease of the colon. Symptoms include bloody, mucus-filled diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and loss of fluids from the body.

dyspepsia - indigestion.

dysphagia - problems in swallowing food or liquid, usually caused by blockage or injury to the esophagus.

E [back to top]

electrocoagulation - procedure that uses an electrical current passed through an endoscope to stop bleeding in the digestive tract and to remove affected tissue.

electrolytes - chemicals such as salts and minerals needed for various functions in the body.

encopresis - accidental passage of a bowel movement.

endoscope - small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end used to look into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, or rectum. It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body. Colonoscopes and sigmoidoscopes are types of endoscopes.

endoscopic papillotomy - see endoscopic sphincterotomy.

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) -  test using an x-ray to look into the bile and pancreatic ducts; an endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the duodenum and bile ducts.

endoscopic sphincterotomy - operation to cut the muscle between the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct. Also called endoscopic papillotomy.

endoscopy - procedure that uses an endoscope to diagnose or treat a condition.

enema - liquid put into the rectum to clear out the bowel or to administer medications or food.

enteral nutrition - way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine. A tube in the nose is called a nasogastric or nasoenteral tube. A tube that goes through the skin into the stomach is called a gastrostomy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). A tube into the small intestine is called a jejunostomy or percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) tube. Also called tube feeding.

enteritis - irritation of the small intestine.

enterocele - hernia in the intestine. See also hernia.

enteroscopy - examination of the small intestine with an endoscope.

enterostomy - ostomy, or opening, into the intestine through the abdominal wall.

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - blood test used to find Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Also used to diagnose an ulcer.

eosinophilic gastroenteritis - infection and swelling of the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine.

epithelial cells - one of many kinds of cells that form the epithelium and absorb nutrients. See also epithelium.

epithelium - inner and outer tissue covering digestive tract organs.

eructation - belching.

erythema nodosum - red swellings or sores on the lower legs during flareups of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

esophageal reflux - see gastroesophageal reflux disease.

esophageal spasms - muscle cramps in the esophagus that cause pain in the chest.

esophageal stricture - narrowing of the esophagus often caused by acid flowing back from the stomach.

esophageal ulcer - sore in the esophagus caused by long-term inflammation or damage from the residue of pills.

esophageal varices - stretched veins in the esophagus that occur when the liver is not working properly.

esophagitis - irritation of the esophagus, usually caused by acid that flows up from the stomach.

esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - exam of the upper digestive tract using an endoscope.

esophagus - organ that connects the mouth to the stomach. Also called gullet.

excrete - to get rid of waste from the body.

extrahepatic biliary tree - bile ducts located outside the liver.

F [back to top]

fatty liver - buildup of fat in liver cells. Also called steatosis.

fecal fat test - test to measure the body's ability to break down and absorb fat.

fecal incontinence - being unable to hold stool in the colon and rectum.

feces - stool.

fiber - substance in foods that comes from plants, which helps with digestion by keeping stool soft so that it moves smoothly through the colon.

fistula - abnormal passage between two organs or between an organ and the outside of the body, caused when damaged tissues come into contact with each other and join together while healing.

functional disorders - conditions that result from poor nerve and muscle function. Also called motility disorders.

G [back to top]

gallbladder - organ that stores the bile made in the liver.

gallstones - solid masses or stones made of cholesterol or bilirubin that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts.

Gardner's syndrome - Condition in which many polyps form throughout the digestive tract.

gas - air that comes from the normal breakdown of food and is passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (belch).

gastrectomy - operation to remove all or part of the stomach.

gastric - related to the stomach.

gastric juices - liquids produced in the stomach to help break down food and kill bacteria.

gastric resection - operation to remove part or all of the stomach.

gastric ulcer - see stomach ulcer.

gastrin - hormone released after eating, which causes the stomach to produce more acid.

gastritis - inflammation of the stomach lining.

gastrocolic reflex - increase of muscle movement in the gastrointestinal tract when food enters an empty stomach, which may cause the urge to have a bowel movement right after eating.

gastroenteritis - infection or irritation of the stomach and intestines, which may be caused by bacteria or parasites from spoiled food or unclean water, or eating food that irritates the stomach lining and emotional upsets such as anger, fear, or stress. See also infectious diarrhea and traveler's diarrhea.

gastroenterologist - physician who specializes in digestive diseases.

gastroenterology - field of medicine concerned with the function and disorders of the digestive system.

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - flow of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus, which happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it should not. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis.

gastrointestinal (GI) tract - large, muscular tube that extends from the mouth to the anus, where the movement of muscles and release of hormones and enzymes digest food. Also called the alimentary canal or digestive tract.

gastroparesis - nerve or muscle damage in the stomach that causes slow digestion and emptying, vomiting, nausea, or bloating. Also called delayed gastric emptying.

gastrostomy - an artificial opening from the stomach to a hole (stoma) in the abdomen where a feeding tube is inserted. See also enteral nutrition.

GERD - see gastroesophageal reflux disease.

GI - see gastrointestinal.

gluten intolerance - see celiac disease.

gluten sensitive enteropathy - general term that refers to celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.

granuloma - mass of red, irritated tissue in the GI tract found in Crohn's disease.

granulomatous colitis - another name for Crohn's disease of the colon.

granulomatous enteritis - another name for Crohn's disease of the small intestine.

H [back to top]

H2-blockers - medicines that reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces by blocking histamine2, which signals the stomach to make acid.

heartburn - painful, burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. See also gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) - spiral-shaped bacterium found in the stomach. H. pylori damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing ulcers. Previously called Campylobacter pylori.

hemorrhoidectomy - operation to remove hemorrhoids.

hemorrhoids - swollen blood vessels in and around the anus that cause itching, pain, and sometimes bleeding.

hepatic - related to the liver.

hepatitis - irritation of the liver that sometimes causes permanent damage; caused by viruses, medicines, or alcohol. Hepatitis has the following forms:

hepatitis A - virus most often spread by unclean food and water.

hepatitis B - virus commonly spread by sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, from mother to newborn at birth, or by using a needle that was used by an infected person. Hepatitis B is more common and much more easily spread than the AIDS virus and may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

hepatitis C - virus spread by blood transfusion and possibly by sexual intercourse or sharing needles with infected people. Hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C used to be called non-A, non-B hepatitis.

hepatitis D (Delta) - virus that occurs mostly in people who take illegal drugs by using needles. Only people who have hepatitis B can get hepatitis D.

hepatitis E - virus spread mostly through unclean water. This type of hepatitis is common in developing countries and has not occurred in the United States.

hepatologist - physician who specializes in liver diseases.

hepatology - field of medicine concerned with the functions and disorders of the liver.

hernia - part of an internal organ that pushes through an opening in the organ's wall.

hiatal hernia - small opening in the diaphragm that allows the upper part of the stomach to move up into the chest and causes heartburn from stomach acid flowing back up through the opening. See also diaphragm.

Hirschsprung's disease - Birth defect in which some nerve cells are lacking in the large intestine. See also megacolon.

hormone - substance in the body that regulates certain organs.

hydrochloric acid - acid made in the stomach that works with pepsin and other enzymes to break down proteins.

hydrogen breath test - test for lactose intolerance that measures breath samples for too much hydrogen.

I [back to top]

IBD - see inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBS - see irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

ileal - related to the ileum, the lowest end of the small intestine.

ileitis - see Crohn's Disease.

ileocolitis - irritation of the lower part of the small intestine (ileum) and colon.

ileostomy - operation that makes it possible for stool to leave the body after the colon and rectum are removed in which an opening is made in the abdomen and the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) attaches to it.

ileum - lower end of the small intestine.

impaction - trapping of an object in a body passage, such as stones in the bile duct or hardened stool in the colon.

indigestion - poor digestion -- symptoms include heartburn, nausea, bloating, and gas. Also called dyspepsia.

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - long-lasting problems that cause irritation and ulcers in the GI tract -- the most common disorders are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

inguinal hernia - small part of the large or small intestine, or bladder, that pushes into the groin and may cause pain and feelings of pressure or burning in the groin. Often requires surgery.

intestines - see large intestine and small intestine. Also called gut.

intestinal flora - bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that grow normally in the intestines.

intestinal mucosa - surface lining of the intestines where the cells absorb nutrients.

intolerance - allergy or sensitivity to a food, drug, or other substance.

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - disorder in which the nerves that control the muscles in the GI tract are too active causing it to become sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress. Causes abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation or diarrhea. Also called spastic colon or mucous colitis.

ischemic colitis - decreased blood flow to the colon, which causes fever, pain, and bloody diarrhea.

J [back to top]

jaundice - symptom of many disorders that causes the skin and eyes to turn yellow from too much bilirubin in the blood. See also hyperbilirubinemia.

jejunum - middle section of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum.

K [back to top]

L [back to top]

lactase - enzyme in the small intestine needed to digest milk sugar (lactose).

lactase deficiency - lack of the lactase enzyme.

lactose - sugar found in milk, which the body breaks down into galactose and glucose.

lactose intolerance - inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk, because the body does not produce the lactase enzyme.

lactose tolerance test - test for lactase deficiency.

laparoscope - thin tube with a tiny video camera attached. Used to look inside the body and see the surface of organs. See also endoscope.

laparoscopic cholecystectomy - operation to remove the gallbladder.

laparoscopy - test that uses a laparoscope to look at and take tissue from the inside of the body.

laparotomy - operation that opens up the abdomen.

large intestine - part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum.

lavage - cleaning of the stomach and colon. Uses a special drink and enemas. See also bowel prep.

laxatives - medications to relieve long-term constipation. Also called cathartics.

lithotripsy, extracorporeal shock wave (ESWL) - method of breaking up bile stones and gallstones with a specialized tool and shock waves.

liver - largest organ in the body, which carries out many important functions, such as making bile, changing food into energy, and cleaning alcohol and poisons from the blood.

liver enzyme tests - blood tests that look at how well the liver and biliary system are working. Also called liver function tests.

lower esophageal sphincter - muscle between the esophagus and stomach.

lower GI series - x-rays of the rectum, colon, and lower part of the small intestine. Also called barium enema x-ray.

M [back to top]

malabsorption syndromes - conditions that happen when the small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from foods.

Mallory-Weiss tear - Tear in the lower end of the esophagus caused by severe vomiting.

manometry - tests that measure muscle pressure and movements in the GI tract.

Meckel's diverticulum - Birth defect in which a small sac forms in the ileum.

megacolon - huge, swollen colon; results from severe constipation. See also Hirschsprung's disease.

melena - blood in the stool.

Ménétrier's disease - Long-term disorder that causes large, coiled folds in the stomach. Also called giant hypertrophic gastritis.

metabolism - the way cells change food into energy after food is digested and absorbed into the blood.

motility - movement of food through the digestive tract.

mucosal protective drugs - medicines that protect the stomach lining from acid.

mucous colitis - see irritable bowel syndrome.

mucosal lining - lining of GI tract organs that makes mucus.

mucus - clear liquid made by the intestines that coats and protects tissues in the GI tract.

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