GI TERMS

• Gastrointestinal Glossary of Terms
• Abdominoperineal resection


  Surgical removal of the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon, resulting in the need for a permanent colostomy
• Adenoma


  Glandular lesion thought to be the precursor to colorectal cancer
• Adhesion


  A band of scar tissue that connects two surfaces of the body that are normally separate
• Air contrast barium enema


  An X-ray examination of the entire large intestine (colon) and rectum in which barium and air are introduced gradually into the colon by a rectal tube. This test is recommended along with flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, starting at age 50, to screen for colorectal cancer and polyps
• Anal fissure


  A split or crack in the lining of the anal opening, usually caused by the passage of very hard or watery stools
• Anastomosis


  A surgical joining of two ducts, blood vessels or bowel segments to allow flow from one to the other
• Aneurysm


  The abnormal enlargement or bulging of a blood vessel, caused by damage or weakness in the blood vessel wall
• Angiogram


  A technique that uses dye to highlight blood vessels
• Anus


  The opening at one end of the digestive tract from which waste is expelled
• Appendectomy


  Surgical removal of the appendix to treat appendicitis
• Appendicitis


  Inflammation of the appendix that requires immediate medical attention
• Appendix


  A small, finger-like tube located where the large and small intestine join. It has no known function
• Ascites


  Fluid in the abdomen
• Banding


  A technique via endoscopy that the dilated blood vessels in the esophagus can be removed by putting rubber bands on and eventually fall off to the disappearance of those vessels
• Barium


  A substance that, when swallowed or given rectally as an enema, makes the digestive tract visible on X-rays (also referred to as a "contrast medium")
• Biliary system


  The gall bladder and bile ducts
• Biopsy


  Removal of a sample of tissue for study, usually under a microscope
• Cannulas


  Tubes which hold the laparoscope and instruments, and allow access to the abdominal cavity for performance of laparoscopic surgery
• Carcinoma


  Malignant (cancerous) growth that tends to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize (travel to and grow in) to other regions of the body. The tumor is firm, irregular and nodular with a well-defined border
• CAT scan


  Computerized axial tomography, an X-ray technique that produces a film showing a detailed cross-section of tissue
• Celiac disease


  Digestive disease that damages the small intestine and prevents the proper absorption of nutrients from food. Celiac disease occurs when the body reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Gluten causes an inflammatory response in the small intestine
• Cholecystectomy


  Surgical procedure used to remove gallstones from the gallbladder
• Cholecystitis


  An inflammation of the gallbladder
• Cirrhosis


  A slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly. The scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs and naturally produced toxins. It also slows the production of proteins and other substances made by the liver
• Clinical trial


  A research program conducted with patients to evaluate a new medical treatment, drug or device
• Colectomy


  The surgical removal of part or all of the colon, performed to treat cancer of the colon or severe, chronic ulcerative colitis
• Colitis


  See ulcerative colitis
• Colon


  The last three or four feet of the intestine (except for the last eight inches, which is called the rectum). Synonymous with the "large intestine" or "large bowel"
• Colon cancer


  A malignant (cancerous) tumor arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Although the exact causes of colon cancer are not known, it appears that both hereditary and environmental factors play a role in its development. The early stages of cancer may have no symptoms. Therefore, regular screening is important
• Colonoscopy


  An outpatient procedure in which a physician inserts a colonoscope (a long, flexible instrument about ½ inch in diameter) in the rectum and advances it to the large intestine (colon) to view the rectum and entire colon
• Colostomy


  The surgical creation of an opening between the surface of the skin and the colon. Also referred to as a large intestine stoma
• Constipation


  Difficult, infrequent or incomplete passage of stools. Constipation is usually caused by indequate fiber in the diet or a disruption of regular routine or diet. Constipation can also be caused by overuse of laxatives. Constipation is rarely the sign of a more serious medical condition
• Corticosteroids


  Anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, prednisone) used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. These powerful drugs often produce dramatic results but also cause severe side effects when used over a long period
• Crohn's disease


  A chronic inflammatory disease that involves all layers of the intestinal wall. It primarily affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the large or small intestine, stomach or esophagus. Crohn's disease can disrupt the normal function of the bowel in a number of ways
• Diaphragm


  Thin, dome-shaped muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. When the muscle contracts, the dome flattens, increasing the volume of the chest
• Diarrhea


  A condition in which bowel movements are passed more often than usual and in a liquid state
• Digestive diseases


  When a digestive disease occurs, it causes the malfunctioning of the digestive system, so that it is no longer turning food into fuel for energy, maintaining the body structure or eliminating waste products properly. Digestive diseases range from the occasional upset stomach, to the more life-threatening colon cancer, and encompass disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gall bladder and pancreas
• Diverticulitis


  An inflammation or infection of small sacs or outpouchings (diverticula) of the inner lining of the intestine which protrude through the intestinal wall
• Diverticulosis


  Presence of small sacs or outpouchings (diverticula) of the inner lining of the intestine which protrude through the intestinal wall. These sacs form in weakened areas of the bowel