Digestive System Terminology

Overview of the Digestive System

The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. Understanding medical terminology related to this system is essential for identifying diseases, procedures, and anatomical structures.

• Digestion: The process of breaking down food into smaller components for absorption.

• Absorption: The uptake of nutrients from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

• Elimination: Removal of indigestible substances and waste from the body.

• Ingestion: The act of taking food into the mouth.

Anatomical Terms and Structures

• abdomin/o-: Prefix referring to the abdomen.

• anus: The opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces are expelled.

• appendic/o: Prefix relating to the appendix.

• cecum: The first part of the large intestine.

• colon: The main part of the large intestine, divided into ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid sections.

• duodenum: The first section of the small intestine.

• ileum: The final section of the small intestine.

• jejunum: The middle section of the small intestine.

• liver: A large organ involved in metabolism and detoxification.

• gallbladder: Stores bile produced by the liver.

• pancreas: Produces digestive enzymes and hormones.

• rectum: The final section of the large intestine.

• stomach: Organ where mechanical and chemical digestion occurs.

• uvula: Small projection hanging from the soft palate.

• villi: Finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Common Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

• -ectomy: Surgical removal (e.g., cholecystectomy - removal of the gallbladder).

• -itis: Inflammation (e.g., appendicitis - inflammation of the appendix).

• -centesis: Surgical puncture to remove fluid.

• -rrhaphy: Suturing.

• -scopy: Visual examination (e.g., endoscopy).

• -tomy: Cutting or incision (e.g., laparotomy).

• -phagia: Eating or swallowing (e.g., dysphagia - difficulty swallowing).

• angi/o: Vessel.

• chol/e: Bile.

• cholecyst/o: Gallbladder.

• choledoch/o: Common bile duct.

• enter/o: Intestine.

• esophag/o: Esophagus.

• gastr/o: Stomach.

• lapar/o: Abdomen.

• proct/o: Rectum and anus.

• sigmoid/o: Sigmoid colon.

• sial/o: Saliva or salivary glands.

Digestive Processes and Functions

• Mastication: Chewing food in the mouth.

• Deglutition: Swallowing.

• Peristalsis: Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

• Chemical Digestion: Breakdown of food by enzymes and acids.

• Mechanical Digestion: Physical breakdown of food (e.g., chewing, churning in the stomach).

• Emulsification: Breakdown of fat globules into smaller droplets, aided by bile.

• Digestive Enzymes: Proteins that speed up the breakdown of food (e.g., pepsin in the stomach).

• Chyme: Semi-fluid mass of partly digested food expelled by the stomach into the duodenum.

• Bile: Fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aids in fat digestion.

• Glucose: Simple sugar absorbed in the small intestine.

Diseases and Disorders

• Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix.

• Cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease characterized by scarring.

• Colic: Severe abdominal pain.

• Colon Cancer: Malignant tumor of the colon.

• Constipation: Difficulty in passing stools.

• Crohn's Disease: Chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the GI tract.

• Diverticulitis: Inflammation of diverticula in the colon.

• Diverticulosis: Presence of diverticula without inflammation.

• Dysentery: Severe diarrhea with blood.

• Dyspepsia: Indigestion.

• Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing.

• Esophageal Varices: Swollen veins in the esophagus, risk of bleeding.

• Gastritis: Inflammation of the stomach lining.

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): Chronic reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.

• Hemorrhoid: Swollen veins in the rectal area.

• Hernia: Protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity.

• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract (includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): Functional disorder causing abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin due to high bilirubin levels.

• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas.

• PUD (Peptic Ulcer Disease): Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum.

• Peritonitis: Inflammation of the peritoneum.

• Steatorrhea: Fatty stools, often due to malabsorption.

• Ulcers: Open sores in the lining of the digestive tract.

• Volvulus: Twisting of the intestine causing obstruction.

Diagnostic Procedures and Tests

• Anastomosis: Surgical connection between two structures.

• Barium Swallow: Radiographic examination of the esophagus and stomach using barium.

• Biopsy: Removal of tissue for examination.

• CT Scan: Imaging technique using computed tomography.

• Endoscopy: Visual examination of the interior of the digestive tract.

• Esophagoscopy: Endoscopic examination of the esophagus.

• Guaiac Test: Test for occult blood in stool.

• Hemoccult Test: Another test for hidden blood in feces.

• LFTs (Liver Function Tests): Blood tests to assess liver function.

• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging for soft tissue visualization.

• PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy): Placement of a feeding tube into the stomach.

• Ultrasound: Imaging using sound waves.

• Upper GI Series: X-ray examination of the upper digestive tract.

Medications and Treatments

• Antacid: Medication to neutralize stomach acid.

• Antibiotic: Drug to treat bacterial infections.

• Antidiarrheal: Medication to reduce diarrhea.

• Antiemetic: Drug to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting.

• Cholecystectomy: Surgical removal of the gallbladder.

• Choledochotomy: Incision into the common bile duct.

• Colostomy: Surgical creation of an opening from the colon to the abdominal wall.

• Laparotomy: Surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.

• Laparoscopic: Minimally invasive surgery using a laparoscope.

Symptoms and Signs

• Anorexia: Loss of appetite.

• Ascites: Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

• Emesis: Vomiting.

• Eructation: Belching.

• Flatulence: Excess gas in the digestive tract.

• Flatus: Gas expelled from the anus.

• Hematochezia: Passage of fresh blood through the anus.

• Hematemesis: Vomiting blood.

• Incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements.

• Melena: Black, tarry stools indicating upper GI bleeding.

• Steatorrhea: Fatty, frothy stools.

Additional Anatomical Features

• Epiglottis: Flap that covers the trachea during swallowing.

• Haustra: Pouches in the colon.

• LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter): Muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.

• Pyloric Sphincter: Muscle controlling passage from stomach to duodenum.

• Pylorus: Region of the stomach leading to the duodenum.

• Rugae: Folds in the stomach lining.

• Sphincter: Circular muscle controlling passage between organs.

• Peritoneum: Membrane lining the abdominal cavity.

Sample Table: Digestive System Disorders and Their Features

Example: Medical Term Construction

• Cholecystectomy: cholecyst/o (gallbladder) + -ectomy (removal) = surgical removal of the gallbladder.

• Gastroscopy: gastr/o (stomach) + -scopy (visual examination) = endoscopic examination of the stomach.

• Appendicitis: appendic/o (appendix) + -itis (inflammation) = inflammation of the appendix.

Key Digestive Enzymes and Chemicals

• Pepsin: Enzyme in the stomach that digests proteins.

• HCl (Hydrochloric Acid): Acid in the stomach aiding digestion.

• Bile: Produced by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, emulsifies fats.

Sample Formula: Chemical Digestion of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose by digestive enzymes:

Additional info:

• Some terms (e.g., "patent", "inguinal", "rectocele") are included for completeness but may be less commonly tested in introductory medical terminology courses.

• Diagnostic tests such as "guaiac test" and "hemoccult test" are used to detect hidden blood in stool, important for screening GI disorders.