MedTerm Digestive System

• Mouth


  (or/o) Begins preparation of food for digestion
• Pharynx


  (pharyng/o) Transports food from the mouth to the esophagus
• Esophagus


  (esophag/o) Transports food from the pharynx to the stomach
• Stomach


  (gastr/o) Breaks down food and mixes it with gastric juices
• Small Intestine


  (enter/o) Completes the digestion and absorption of most nutrients
• Large Intestine


  (col/o) Absorbs excess water, and prepares solid waste for elimination
• Rectum and Anus


  (an/o, proct/o, rect/o) Control the excretion of solid waste
• Liver


  (hepat/o) Secretes bile & enzymes to aid in the digestion of fats
• Gallbladder


  (cholecyst/o) Stores bile, and releases it into the small intestine as needed
• Pancreas


  (pancreat/o) Secretes digestive juices and enzymes into the small intestine as needed
• Dentist


  Holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medical Dentistry (DMD) Degree and specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of teeth and tissues of the oral cavity
• Orthodontist


  Is a dental specialist in the prevention or correction of abnormalities in the positioning of the teeth and related facial structures
• Gastroenterologist


  A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the stomach and intestines
• Proctologist


  Specializes in disorders of the colon, rectum and anus
• Aphthous Ulcers


  Also known as canker sores, are current blister-like sores that breaks and form lesions on the soft tissue lining the mouth
• Herpes Labialis


  Are blister-like sores on the lips and adjacent facial tissue caused by herpes simplex virus. Also known as cold sores or fever blisters
• Cheilosis


  Also known as cheilitis, disorder of the lips characterized by crack like sores at the corners of the mouth.
• Leukoplakia


  An abnormal white precancerous lesion (sore) that develops on the tongue or the inside of the cheek (leuk/o means white and -plakia means plaque)
• Stomatomycosis


  It is any disease of the mouth due to a fungus. Oral thrush is a type of stomatomycosis that develops when the fungus candida albicans grow out of control, resulting in creamy white lesions on tongue and inner cheeks
• Cleft Lip


  Congenital defect resulting in deep fissure of the lip running upward to the nose
• Cleft Palate


  Congenital fissure of the palate that involves the upper lip, hard palate, soft palate
• Bruxism


  The involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth that usually occurs during sleep and is associated with tension or stress
• Dental Calculus


  Hardened dental plaque on the teeth that irritates the surrounding tissues
• Dental Caries


  An infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroy the enamel and dentin of the tooth
• Dental Plaque


  Is a soft deposit consisting of bacteria and is a major cause of dental caries and periodontal disease
• Gingivitis


  Inflammation of gums, is the earlier sign of periodontal disease
• Halitosis


  Unpleasant odor coming from the mouth that can be caused by dental diseases or respiratory or gastric disorders
• Edentulous


  Lacking teeth
• Malocclusion


  Abnormal positioning of the teeth
• Dysphagia


  Difficulty swallowing
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease


  Is the upward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus
• Hiatal Hernia


  Protrusion of a part of stomach through the esophageal sphincter in the diaphragm
• Pyrosis


  The burning sensation caused by the return of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus
• Gastritis


  Inflammation of stomach
• Gastroenteritis


  Inflammation of mucous membrane lining the stomach and intestine, especially the small intestine
• Gastrorrhea


  Excessive secretion of gastric juice in the stomach
• Peptic Ulcer


  Is a lesion of mucous membrane of the digestive system. These ulcers are frequently caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, may occur in the end of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (pept means digest -ic means pertaining to)
• Anorexia


  Loss of appetite for food, especially when caused by disease
• Anorexia Nervosa


  Eating disorder characterized by refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight and an intense fear of gaining weight
• Bulimia


  An eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications