Anatomy Glossary

a drug or dietary substance that buffers, neutralizes, or absorbs hydrochloric acid in the stomach. (Source)

The opening at the lower end of the digestive tract through which solid waste is eliminated from the body. (Source)

 (ap'pen-DEK-tō-mē) Surgical removal of the appendix. (Source)

inflammation of the vermiform appendix, a serious disease that usually requires surgical removal (appendectomy). (Source)

The worm-shaped pouch attached to the cecum, the beginning of the large intestine. (Source)

a test that uses x-ray examination to view the large intestine. There are two types of this test: the single-contrast technique where barium sulfate is injected into the rectum in order to gain a profile view of the large intestine; and the double-contrast (or "air contrast") technique where air is [also] inserted into the rectum. (Source)

A bitter, alkaline, brownish-yellow or greenish-yellow fluid that is secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and discharged into the duodenum and aids in the emulsification, digestion, and absorption of fats. Also called gall. (source)

a feeling of "abdominal fullness or swelling, usually understood to mean due to retention of gas in the stomach or GI tract." (Source)

A general term for the small and large intestines; intestine (Source)

The administration of a clear liquid diet with laxatives, enemas, or both, in anticipation of endoscopy of the lower gastrointestinal tract to provide an optimal view of the bowel wall. (Source)

a cleansing of the intestines from fecal matter and secretions...The ultimate goal of bowel preparation is to empty and cleanse the bowel for a diagnostic procedure (using x-rays to detect a disease process in the intestines) or for surgical intervention (such as removal of polyps) (Source)

(Also, caecum) sē'kŭm  The beginning of the large intestine and the place where the appendix attaches to the intestinal tract. (Source)

an allergic reaction of the lining of the small intestine in response to gluten. Also called celiac sprue, or simply gluten intolerance. (Source)

(kīm) Semifluid, partly digested food passed from the stomach into the small intestine for further digestion and absorption. (Source)

a chronic degenerative disease in which normal liver cells are damaged and are then replaced by scar tissue. (Source)

The section of the large intestine extending from the cecum to the rectum. (Source)

A long flexible endoscope, often equipped with a device for obtaining tissue samples, that is used for visual examination of the colon. Also called coloscope. (Source)

a medical procedure where a long, flexible, tubular instrument called the colonoscope is used to view the entire inner lining of the colon (large intestine) and the rectum. (Source)

a condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. (Source)

A substance, such as barium or air, used in radiography to increase the contrast of an image. A positive contrast medium absorbs x-rays more strongly than the tissue or structure being examined; a negative contrast medium, less strongly. (Source)

excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces. (Source)

a generic term for nondigestible chemical substances found in plant cell walls. Foods high in dietary fiber are fruits, green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, and whole-grain cereals and bread. (Source)

An important method of examination performed with a gloved, lubricated finger. Rectal examination can reveal [hemorrhoids]...rectal polyps, rectal cancer...or inflammation in the appendix. (Source)

The first portion of the small intestine, about 25 cm (10 inches) long, extending from the pylorus [of the stomach] to the jejunum. It plays an important role in digestion of food because both the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct empty into it. It is subject to various disorders, the most common of which are peptic ulcers and obstruction...(source)

A thin flexible tube which uses a lens or miniature camera to view various areas of the gastrointestinal tract. The performance of an exam using an endoscope is referred by the general term endoscopy.

Diagnosis through biopsies or other means and therapeutic procedures can be done with these instruments. (Source)

(ep'i-glot'is), A leaf-shaped plate of [cartilage], covered with mucous membrane, at the root of the tongue, which serves as a diverter valve over the...larynx during the act of swallowing. (source)

The muscular tube, about 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) long, that carries swallowed foods and liquids from the pharynx [throat] to the stomach. (source)

an immovable collection of compressed or hardened feces in the colon or rectum. (Source)

A permanent abnormal passageway between two organs in the body, or between an organ and the exterior of the body. Anal and rectal fistulas develop in the wall of the anus or rectum. They connect the interior of the body to one or several openings in the skin. Intestinal fistulas can develop in both the large and small intestine. They are commonly associated with diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease. (Source)

An x-ray procedure that produces immediate images and motion on a [video] screen. The images look like those seen at airport baggage security stations. (Source)

A small, pear-shaped organ...connected by a series of ducts (tube-like channels) to the liver, pancreas, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The gallbladder receives bile from the liver, and concentrates and stores it. After a meal, bile is squeezed out of the gallbladder into the intestine, where it aids in digestion of food. (source)

a backflow of contents of the stomach into the esophagus that is often the result of [a problem with the] esophageal sphincter. Gastric juices are acidic and therefore produce burning pain in the esophagus. (Source)

Also called acid reflux, or heartburn.

A system of the human body that digests food, extracts energy, nutrients and water, and excretes waste.

enlarged veins in the anus or lower rectum. They often go unnoticed and usually clear up after a few days, but can cause long-lasting discomfort, bleeding and be excruciatingly painful. Also called piles. (Source)

Inflammation of the liver, due usually to viral infection but sometimes to toxic agents. (Source)

The third portion of the small intestine, about 3.6 m (12 ft) in length, extending from the jejunum to the cecum. (Source)

A localized protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection, characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes loss of function. (Source)

Any of several chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, especially Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the intestine and resulting in abdominal cramping and diarrhea. (Source)

a common intestinal condition characterized by abdominal pain and cramps; changes in bowel movements (diarrhea, constipation, or both); gassiness; bloating; nausea; and other symptoms...Dietary changes, drugs, and psychological treatment are often able to eliminate or substantially reduce its symptoms. Also called spastic colon, spastic bowel, and functional bowel disorder. (Source)

The length of small intestine lying between the duodenum and the ileum and occupying the central part of the abdomen. Much of the enzymatic digestion of food, and most of the absorption, takes place in the jejunum. (Source)

the part of the digestive tract comprising the cecum; appendix; colon (the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colons);and rectum (Source).

Also called large bowel. (Source).

The large dark-red gland in the upper part of the abdomen on the right side, just beneath the diaphragm. Its functions include storage and filtration of blood, secretion of bile, conversion of sugars into glycogen, and many other metabolic activities. (source)

an unpleasant sensation in the back of the throat, or throughout the abdomen, that may or may not lead to vomiting. Nausea may be a symptom of a variety of disorders, some minor and some more serious. (Source)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen that decrease pain and inflammation. Many can now be obtained without a doctor's prescription. (Source)

A large, elongated gland lying behind the stomach, between the spleen and duodenum. Its external secretion contains digestive enzymes that are secreted into the duodenum to aid in protein digestion. Its internal secretions include insulin and glucagon. (source)

An organism that lives and feeds on or in an organism of a different species and causes harm to its host. (Source) 

The two main types of intestinal parasites are helminths (such as tapeworms) and protozoa (such as giardia and cryptosporidium). (Source)

An area on the inner surface of the stomach, duodenum or esophagus, in which stomach acid and digestive enzymes have acted to erode the surface and expose the underlying layers of muscle. (Source)

Also called gastric ulcer.

The wormlike movement by which the alimentary canal or other tubular organs...propel their contents, consisting of a wave of contraction passing along the tube for variable distances. Source

A growth or tumor protruding from the mucous lining of an organ such as the nose, bladder, or intestine, sometimes causing obstruction. (Source)

Polyps bleed easily; if there is a possibility that they will become malignant, they should be removed surgically. (Source)

An instrument consisting of a thin tube with a light source, used to examine the inside of the rectum. (Source)

A rectal speculum. (Source)

The ring of muscle that controls the passage of material from the stomach into the small intestine (Source)

The branch of medicine that deals with diagnostic images of [the body] made through the use of...x-rays, CT scans, PET scans, MRIs, and ultrasonograms [ultrasound]. (Source)

A radiologist is a physician specializing in radiology. (Source)

The lower section of the large intestine, a digestive system organ. After food has passed through the stomach and intestines and been digested, the leftover material, in the form of feces, enters the rectum, where it stays until defecation. (Source)

Any of the glands near the oral cavity that secrete saliva. The major glands are paired and include the parotid [near the ear], the sublingual [below tongue], and the submandibular [below jaw]. (source)

a simple test performed on a large number of people to identify those who have or are likely to develop a specified disease (Source)

The longest, but narrowest part of the intestine. The part in which digestion and absorption of food is performed. The small intestine extends from the outlet of the stomach (the PYLORUS) to the CAECUM at the start of the large intestine (COLON), and consists of the DUODENUM, the JEJUNUM and the ILEUM. (Source)

a circular muscle that constricts a passage or closes a natural orifice. When relaxed, a sphincter allows materials to pass through the opening. When contracted, it closes the opening. (Source)

A surgically constructed opening, especially one in the abdominal wall that permits the passage of waste after a colostomy or ileostomy. (Source)

The enlarged saclike portion of the digestive tract between the esophagus and small intestine, lying just beneath the diaphragm. (Source)

 Feces. Solid waste discharged in a bowel movement. (Source)

a muscular organ on the floor of the mouth; it aids in chewing, swallowing, and speech, and is the location of organs of taste. (Source)

To eject part or all of the contents of the stomach through the mouth, usually in a series of involuntary spasmic movements. (Source)